Olivier Asselin photography

Dipo Puberty rites

A young girl from the Krobo tribal group get her hair shaven as she undergoes puberty rites - locally called dipo - in Somanya, Eastern Region, Ghana. Formerly a required step in the rituals, the shaving of the hair can now be avoided for a fee of 50 cents paid by parents. Many parents choose to pay the fee to avoid criticism from schoolmates or fellow church-goers.

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Filename: GHA06.04.03.Dipo056.JPG
Copyright: Olivier Asselin
Image Size: 2800x4216 / 3.2MB; africa ghana west africa children puberty rite ceremony tradition childhood adulthood culture animist
Contained in galleries: Krobo puberty rites

A young girl from the Krobo tribal group get her hair shaven as she undergoes puberty rites - locally called dipo - in Somanya, Eastern Region, Ghana. Formerly a required step in the rituals, the shaving of the hair can now be avoided for a fee of 50 cents paid by parents. Many parents choose to pay the fee to avoid criticism from schoolmates or fellow church-goers.