BUSH OR NO BUSH?
On the 14th and 15th of February, 2014 the National Theatre will be lit with ear tingling, rising emotions and plainly shocking revelations around the enigmatic sexuality of women. Running for the third time at the National Theatre of Ghana in Accra, Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues inspires conversations about the sexuality of women, which society and religion have suppressed for ages, rendering the topic a taboo. The title itself creates shock and turns heads in some cultures.
Every year around the world in colleges and play centers on Val’s Day, Vagina Monologues is run to create awareness and drive conversations around the sexuality of women for social change that will lend a more positive attitude towards women and reduce sexual violence. This year, Global Art and Development Centre (GADEC) under the artistic directorship of Abdul Karim Hakib is leading the way.
Five beautiful and talented actresses assume characters who have had various sexual experiences, carrying us into their world of pleasure, turmoil and sometimes unspeakable pain. Some stories will arouse you sexually, some will shock you and some will move you to tears. Let’s start with the first character, an unnamed woman married to a man who prefers her all shaved. She tries to please him but she gets irritations and bumps. It makes her uncomfortable in her own body and even the pleasure of sex is lessened as a result of the aggravation and pain. She reverts to “bush-bush” and this upsets the man so much that he takes to town. The marriage begins to suffer as a result. Even after she returns to shaving, the man still goes to town. Marriage on the rock, woman unsatisfied and husband about town. Who can she talk to? Is it even allowed for her to talk about it? How easy is it to discuss this?
This subject may seem trivial to some, especially the men who may not appreciate the importance of honoring a woman’s body and her sexuality. However, the issue still remains: a woman’s body and sexuality can affect not only how she enjoys lovemaking (or otherwise), the extent of her participation and her general outlook. What about the health implications for her?
This raises several questions. What should a woman in that situation do? Should she sacrifice her health and body for her husband’s preference, especially since it could become an excuse for infidelity on the part of the man? If you are a woman, what do you advise? If you are a man, how can you help the situation? Share your experiences and thoughts. Some woman you know is in this situation right now.
See short preview here.
Sirina is a final year student at the University of Ghana School of Performing Arts. She plays multiple roles in this play one of them being the unnamed woman who struggles with pleasing her husband at the expense of her sexual health in order to save her marriage.
Tiqeetflash 