What is “Figging”?
“Figging” or “Faeguing” is the practice of inserting skinned ginger root into a person’s anus or vagina. It is a common practice in the BDSM community. Once the ginger is inserted into the anus it causes an irritable burning sensation.
According to Wikepedia the practice was used as a form of punishment in female slaves during the Victorian era. It has also been said to be used by schoolteachers in the early 1800’s as a way to punish unruly pupils. So, naturally, we use it in BDSM.
More than just a pain in the ass
If you are looking for the full effect of this technique, avoid putting lubrication directly on the ginger. The lube creates a barrier between the moisture of the ginger and the subbie’s skin, minimizing the burn. It is recommended that you apply any lubrication to your finger and then directly apply it to your submissives anus. After inserting the ginger, it takes approximately two to five minutes to take full effect and lasts approximately 20-30 minutes. Once the burning sensation begins, you can choose to spank or cane your naughty subbie, to really drive the lesson home. During impact play most submissives will naturally clench to lighten the sensation of the impact. This is one of the reasons figging is so devilishly fun. Every time your submissive tightens, more irritants from the ginger are released. Your sub has two choices, take the full impact of each blow, or release the ginger even more.
Preparation and planning
When choosing your ginger be sure to allow enough room for error. Chose a large enough piece that gives you room to create a base, similar to an anal plug, like the picture above. This is very important. If the piece is too small or has no base, you pose the risk of the ginger getting dislodged or lost. The point is to hurt, not harm. Also be sure to properly clean the ginger before and after shaving the skin, to avoid any risk of unwanted bacteria.
Am I being too harsh?
Figging is uncomfortable but will not kill the submissive and as a whole is a generally safe practice. With everything in BDSM, communication is key. Is this something you and your submissive have discussed? Is this a hard limit? What kind of relationship do you have? These are important questions to ask yourself. It is also important to ask yourself, “Is the punishment appropriate for the crime?” Only you and your partner can determine if this is an appropriate punishment. Ask your submissive what they think. Ask them if they think they deserve to be punished and if they think this is appropriate. You will be surprised at the level of honesty a submissive is willing to give. Nine out of ten times, when a submissive has violated a rule or displeased their Dominant they want to be corrected. Most submissives have a “need” to be punished by their Dominant or they feel overwhelming feelings of guilt, or they feel thier Dominant does not care for them. This is particularly true in female subbies, both homo and heterosexual. I interviewed 40 submissive females ranging in ages 21-42 and 39 said they DO feel the need to be punished if they displease thier Dominant. Only 1 said they didn’t feel a need to be punished after violating rules. All forty of the submissives expressed they felt “unloved”, “un-cared for” and “less important” when their Dominant did not punish them for rule violations or reckless/negative behavior.
As mentioned earlier, as a whole, figging is a safe practice. Of course, the submissive will feel discomfort and they may not “enjoy” the experience, but that’s the point. In most situations a person is submissive, because they enjoy the control loss and discomfort associated with their role. The submissive mind is aroused by things other people would find belittling. Everyone is different and everyone’s idea of pain and punishment will vary. Know your partner, express yourself, listen and ask questions. That is the only way you will truly know.
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