Kayan mata, sex, and sexuality in Nigeria: theoretical implications

Oluwatobi Alabi, University of Johannesburg

As anecdotal narratives surrounding the motivation for women’s use of kayan mata products spark conversations across social media platforms in Nigeria, it has also become an important debate in the sociology of intimate relationships and sexuality. This paper discusses how women use kayan mata as a multifaceted tool for navigating complex patriarchal spaces and structures. Through a qualitative research design, in-depth interviews were conducted with women who use kayan mata, men who have insight into womens use of kayan mata, and sellers of the aphrodisiac to understand its varieties, motivations, implications for intimacy, intimate relationships, and family dynamics. Using the conceptual lens of snail-sense feminism, which argues that women have employed a variety of strategies to navigate limiting terrains and challenge gender norms across cultures in Africa, I argue that kayan mata is a significant tool in the politics of intimate relationships within Nigeria. Findings indicate that women strategically employ kayan mata in marriages and intimate relationships to negotiate power and resources. This paper critiques the concept of dangerous women associated with kayan mata. It discusses ‘mens fears of losing control’ and its perceived threat to hegemonic masculinity. The arguments carefully presented point to ambivalence in agency conceptualization, where empowerment initially means fulfilling mens desires, but later evolves into a means of asserting control within relationships. Even though kayan mata has gained popularity, its secretive nature raises concerns in intimate relationships. 

This paper will be presented at the following session:

• (CSF1a) Families I
  Thursday Jun 20 11:00 am to 12:30 pm (Eastern Daylight Time)
  Trottier Building - ENGTR 2100