Skip to main content

Featured

Heavy responsibilities for elder aunt among the Logooli

With Seenge Fonesi. She is the elder grand daughter of Isagi and elder daughter of Amugasya. She is often present in functions involving the family of Amugasya. Pic taken on 18/4/2024. The elder sister soon becomes the elder aunt. It is this “seenge munene” (elder aunt) tag that she is tied to many cultural responsibilities – back home. To her marital family she may appear as any other woman, but she is not so in the eyes of her people. Marriage does not steal her away as it would happen with other daughters of the old man. To her, as days go and the old man and woman of the estate are dependents, she becomes increasingly present.  Her brothers also need her for almost all traditional markings. They are marrying, she needs to welcome the new wife. They are giving birth, she needs to come to midwife or “bless” the new born. They are paying dowry she needs to lead the women delegate. There is a conflict she needs to come for a hearing.  And many others. Traditions does not expect her to

Single Mother by Erratic Behaviour

Over 70% of single parents in Kenya are females. Now that this article is written by a man, expect it to be skewed. He should have been a woman? Or the woman the man so that the 30% was women’s? Nah, a matter is a matter, let us pick it from where it is as well as where we are. Where it should be and where we can be is only increasing the variable stretch, a blind chase for perfection. So we speculate as we look at the sure real narrow points. 

What makes a woman the vagabond is her sexual form. If the relationship gets sour before she gives birth, she is already the one with the child. Blame the separation on the man, call him whatever names, it is the woman going away pregnant. Blame the woman now, belittle her as she is, she is with the stomach. A child is born away from the father. 

pic; 'female symbol' 

A talk might ensue forth – the father has neglected the child. He did not send money during pregnancy, he never bought the first baby-wrap towel, and he did not follow up to know if the child has been born alive or dead. Huh! When his phone calls were being ignored? He should have sent money without being talked to, perhaps. 

Ego games. He does not want to feel directed. She does not want to submit to such an authority. She looks at him as an equal, he looks at her as his helper, he the leader. You do not love me, I can see it in your actions, she says. I left to fend for myself, you bad man. Yes, she cannot fend for all. Evolution has not touched that nerve of hers yet. 

He refused you boy, he refused you girl that is the indoctrination. I am the one providing for you, you can see. Taking you to school, giving you food and allowing you to kiss me. Men are not good people my boy, my girl, but you – you – you I am sure as you grow, you will be different. But mama, mama, the child is grown to teen, where and who is my father. Did I drop? See, you are a good mom but not a perfect mom. 

It is 12 years after the first man refused to Cinderella her. A second man may have failed short too. How many other men have been into her between is a long count. She has eaten lots of humble pies trying to fend for herself and the child(ren). The men she wishes asked her to be the wife are established. No young boy would, perhaps in the gallows. Her first erratic ‘you do not love me’ girlily mentality is no longer with her. 

The child is pressurized to grow up quickly and fend for the mother. Does she not look at the son as her husband now? Hasn’t the son felt all the trauma in the world to be raised by a helpless mother? He is going to work hard and make a life for the mother – when? The cycle is nigh. He has a girlfriend that he loves now, though he is young to marry. He will try to court her, show her love, that father-less girl who has heard it all about men, their bad. The tough is yet to get started. 

No one tries, no one asks for forgiveness, no one forgives. 


Comments