1975/11/01 by Rose Oldfield Hayes · 5 citations
Medicine · #Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues #Genital Health and Disease
paper · doi:10.1525/ae.1975.2.4.02a00030
openalex publication_date 1975/11/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/03
Infibulation, or Pharaonic circumcision, is a widespread practice in Sudan. It involves cutting away most external female genitalia and almost completely closing off the vaginal opening. The custom is analyzed in context and is found to be functionally interrelated with marriage practices, norms of female modesty, women's roles, family honor, and the patrilineage. The custom furnishes critical support to the patrilineage and has a controlling effect on Sudanese fertility and the population growth rate.