The song really is more about the entrapments of coming of age and the problems that come associated with it. The Mandinka people of western Africa had at one time a nice, prosperous empire there. However, from about the mid 16th century to the abolition of slavery in 1865 in the USA, the Mandinka were herded up and taken as slaves more than any other ethnic group in Africa.
In addition, when a Mandinka person comes of age, they are expected to go through a ritual known as kankurang. This ritual involves cutting the genitalia, both on men and women. She doesn't want to do this; that's why She "refused to take part."
The song really is more about the entrapments of coming of age and the problems that come associated with it. The Mandinka people of western Africa had at one time a nice, prosperous empire there. However, from about the mid 16th century to the abolition of slavery in 1865 in the USA, the Mandinka were herded up and taken as slaves more than any other ethnic group in Africa. In addition, when a Mandinka person comes of age, they are expected to go through a ritual known as kankurang. This ritual involves cutting the genitalia, both on men and women. She doesn't want to do this; that's why She "refused to take part."