By Aaior K. Comfort
In Ivory Coast, a dark and illegal trade in genitalia from young girls subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) is thriving, driven by mystical beliefs that these body parts possess potent powers. According to local sources, the clitoris, ground into powder, is highly sought after for use in love potions, magic ointments, and other occult practices believed to bring wealth, political power, or personal dominance.
Moussa Diallo, a former witch doctor from northwest Ivory Coast, revealed that he once used a lotion made from these body parts to enhance his status and influence. “I wanted to be a big chief, I wanted to dominate,” he shared, describing how he would smear the mixture on his face and body regularly. Though Diallo has since abandoned the practice, the demand for these mystical ingredients remains strong.
Labe Gneble, head of the National Organisation for Women, Children, and the Family (ONEF), highlighted that a ground-down clitoris can fetch up to $170, a significant sum in a country where many live on far less. Despite being illegal, the trade is reportedly widespread, particularly in regions where FGM is still practiced. Former faith healers, circumcisers, social workers, and NGOs confirm that the trafficking of female genitalia continues, hampering efforts to eradicate FGM, which has been banned in Ivory Coast for over 25 years.0
Ivory Coast’s Ministry of the Family, Women, and Children has denied any official knowledge of such trafficking, insisting that no tangible proof of a market exists. However, interviews and investigations suggest otherwise, revealing a clandestine trade that circumcisers and traditional healers keep alive through deeply ingrained mystical beliefs.
The enduring practice of FGM, despite its dangers and legal prohibitions, is fueled by the belief that body parts from mutilated girls hold magical properties. In some cases, the powder from these organs is mixed with plant materials and sold or bartered for goods and services. In regions like Denguele, the powder is even used in agriculture, mixed with seeds to increase crop fertility.
The trade not only perpetuates FGM but also contributes to the broader issue of organ trafficking in Ivory Coast. Though the government has established networks and systems to combat FGM, the practice continues in secret, often hidden within traditional festivals and rituals.
Despite skepticism from medical professionals like Abidjan-based gynecologist Jacqueline Chanine, who dismisses the idea of magical powers in a clitoris, the belief in such practices remains strong in some parts of Ivory Coast. The mix of Islam, Christianity, and animist traditions in the country ensures that mysticism continues to play a significant role in daily life, making the fight against FGM and related practices an ongoing challenge.