Historical
How the origins, history, and traditions of breast ironing in Cameroon affect it's practice and existence today.
Ancient Practices
It is theorized that the origins of breast ironing come from an ancient practice of breast “massage”. This ancient practice was used to correct misshapen or uneven breasts using heated objects, and was used to induce the flow of breast milk to relieve pressure during weaning (Ndonko and Ngo’o, 2011). This form of breast massage was also intended to heat and purify the breast milk. Ancient breast massage techniques were first utilized to help women, but researchers suggest that Cameroonians adopted these practices to flatten the breasts of their daughters and to hinder breast development.
(Getty Images, 2016)
There are set-in traditions or beliefs that are difficult to break among the families in Cameroon who practice breast ironing. The parents lead their daughters believe irrational ideas, such as a woman’s breasts growing only in response to watching porn, thinking about sex, or a man’s touch. Some of these beliefs are held by even some of the most educated people in Cameroon, such as a teachers and journalists. (Tapscott, 2012).
Historically, breast ironing has been practiced in hopes of protecting girls from rape and sexual abuse by making them less attractive. This practice has also been used to prevent early pregnancy in daughters that would bring shame to the family within Cameroonian communities. (Binda, 2016). Other misconceptions stem from a misunderstanding of human biology and the body’s development through puberty. A common belief in Cameroon among those who practice breast ironing is that breast development at a young age signifies an onset of puberty that is too early. They believe that flattening the breasts with hot irons will slow the onset of puberty, including menstruation and hormonal changes, and cause puberty to occur later in life. (Tapscott, 2012).
Traditions and Superstitions
There are several traditions and superstitions associated with breast ironing in regions of Cameroon that have been around for generations. Ndonko and Ngo’o report that some people believe that a coconut shell used as a tool for breast ironing can transfer the flat-chested characteristic of a young boy to a young girl if the shell is thrown at a young boy first before it is used on the girl (Ndonko and Ngo’o, 2011). Another superstition common in some regions is that a girl will get a flat chest like the bark of a banana tree if she vigorously rubs her bare chest on the trunk of a banana trees while circling it (Ndonko and Ngo’o, 2011). A Bamessing traditional healer reported that some traditional healers make small cuts on the breasts and apply potions and recite chants which they believe will prevent breasts from forming (Bamessing healer, 2011).
There are multiple myths associated with breast ironing that are addressed with statistics about the practice and it's outcome. Breast ironing is child abuse and causes psychological and physical damage to young girls in Cameroon and other regions of Africa (Breast Ironing in Africa, n.d.)
Cameroon and Reproductive Health
The reproductive health history of Cameroon may give insight as to why breast ironing is still practiced in several regions throughout the country. Historically, Cameroon has had a maternal mortality rate that was high compared to other African countries (Ako et al. 2016). Abortion is also illegal in Cameroon (Tapscott, 2012). Mothers and families of young girls seek to protect them from becoming pregnant at a young age because unwanted pregnancy could potentially lead to health problems and death during pregnancy or childbirth. Girls who become pregnant before marriage are also viewed as impure, social outcasts, and will have a difficult time ever becoming married (Tapscott, 2012).
Cameroon and Women's Rights
Traditional marriage practices play a major role in the continued practice of breast ironing in Cameroon. There is a large power divide between men and women in Cameroon, and men have more authority in marriages than women. Girls were often married off as soon as they reached puberty, and some girls were even promised to arranged-marriages after birth (Cameroon Marriage Statistics, n.d.). Historically, if premarital sex occurs between a man and a women, the man was obliged by the village to marry the women. The birth of the first child of a couple was the final solidification of marriage status in some Cameroonian communities (Christraud, 1986). The implications of unwanted or unplanned pregnancies in through the history of Cameroon most likely led to the folktales, superstitions, and ideas behind why breast ironing is important and necessary in rearing daughters.
A child bride caring for her household and her child (UNICEF, n.d.)