Breast Ironing in Cameroon

OMBESSA, CAMEROON - MAY 2007: In Cameroon, there is a tradition of ironing girls' breats during puberty to delay their growth so as to reduce their attractivness to men, and to delay womanhood. Mothers use hot stones, petrol massages and magic incantations. This practice is very common and dangerous. The consequences can be very serious. Sometimes the breasts never grow again, preventing milk production for their babies in the future, but can also lead to developments of abcesses and cancer. Here Salamatou, a shaman/healer, irons the breasts of one of the young girls in her village using her 'couscous' stick. (Photo by Veronique de Viguerie/Edit by Getty Images)
OMBESSA, CAMEROON - MAY 2007: In Cameroon, there is a tradition of ironing girls' breats during puberty to delay their growth so as to reduce their attractivness to men, and to delay womanhood. Mothers use hot stones, petrol massages and magic incantations. This practice is very common and dangerous. The consequences can be very serious. Sometimes the breasts never grow again, preventing milk production for their babies in the future, but can also lead to developments of abcesses and cancer. Here Salamatou, a shaman/healer, irons the breasts of one of the young girls in her village using her 'couscous' stick. (Photo by Veronique de Viguerie/Edit by Getty Images)
Breast Ironing in Cameroon
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Credit:
Veronique de Viguerie / Contributor
Editorial #:
90997323
Collection:
Reportage Archive
Date created:
25 May, 2007
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Licence type:
Rights-managed
Release info:
Not released. More information
Source:
Reportage Archive
Object name:
90788727VDV004_Cameroon
Max file size:
3940 x 2653 px (33.36 x 22.46 cm) - 300 dpi - 3 MB