How easy is it to shun traditional African cultural practices that have defined a community?

How easy is it to shun traditional African cultural practices that have defined a community? Can national laws work where tradition has hindered an end to traditional harmful practices. Tough questions with no easy answers. In Kenya, Samburu community elders have closed ranks with the government and vowed to stop circumcising their girls. This is a major victory in Kenya's fight against the harmful practice which although illegal continues unabated due to strong traditional belief.