Women Fight Mauritania's Fattening Tradition

There are many virtues descended by our ancestors, while some of the traditions are not very reasonable to nowadays. Like this news, a 13-year-old girl was force-fed by her mom with camel milk or millet mixed with butter. If a girl who do not finish the fattening meals will be punished. The action, forced-fattening is a tradition of Mauritania, called Leblouh. Mauritanian think that the fatter you are, the more pretty you are. According to a supporter of Leblouh’s word: “Personally, I do believe that fattening girls is more than a necessity. Slim girls bring shame to their families and even their tribes as well. It's also difficult for them to attract men's eyes in our society.” We can clearly know how deeply this tradition had rooted in their minds.

In my opinion, I think there is one thing that can deeply affect our daily lives is the trend. In the 21^st century, we are affected by multi-media everyday unconsciously. Like advertisements, broadcasting, newspaper, internet…, etc. However, the consequence of the multi-media is people becoming the slaves of fashion. For instance, people usually think that the skinnier you are, the more beautiful you are. The reason why people have that idea is because the models on the TV with elegant clothes are always looks skinny. Furthermore, people are crazy to pursue brand names no matter they are rich or poor. Maybe it is the deviation of value that leads to this consequence.

However, it is always a difficult thing to against a majority of people or a long existed tradition, like those people who against Leblouh. Because you would meet a lot of challenges, such as public opinions, discrimination, threaten of violence…, etc. If we want to change a certain currency, it is always to come through many conflicts and integrations. And then, a succeed revolution could be achieved. In the end, if we want to shift an event or a condition, there is must to have a person to take a step or speak up.(336)

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/10/12/mauritania.force.feed/index.html?hpt=C2