16

Beauty And The Beasts (Of Burden)

Posted May 9th, 2005 in Reflections by M

Much as I can run pretty fast, I really need to work on my start up time. If I were a car I’d have a top speed of 300km/h but my catalog would say 0-60 in ten minutes. This is the only explanation I can think of that will explain why I keep getting caught in debates I’d rather not have.

My dude K is on the exalted path to married bliss but one could not know this by looking at him. We (self and 2 other lads) were deeply concerned. He had the look of a Saddam Hussein in a pit of George Bushes and Condoleezza Rices. K, being a gentleman of extraordinarily good cheer, generally was never in such a state so I waited patiently for him to unfold his tales and woes. After some cups of coffee with something Russian in them he let loose his troubles in a passionate and eloquent burst.

His problem was not his Pearl. He loved and adored his Pearl. He was willing to climb Mount Kenya, cross River Nile and meet Lucy Kibaki for his Pearl. His problem was Father of Pearl and five Uncles of Pearl. The aforementioned relatives of pearl seemed to have gotten the mistaken impression that he was a rich and prosperous cattle rancher, and thus asked for assorted bulls and heifers, billies and nanny goats so that they could hand over their beloved to him. They also wanted enough money to buy a good second hand car.

His protesting that he was a relative nobody whose job consisted of balancing books and his transport was generally that of the communal nature left then unmoved. Unless they took delivery of said livestock, said Relatives of Pearl, he’d be better advised to find someone cheaper.

The cups at Java House are pretty strong so the one he was holding survived the clenching of his ample fist around it. That he was moved was beyond question. We were feeling his collective pain when suddenly two of my lads hurriedly wolfed down scalding tea and left leaving me and K. A minute later it became apparent when suddenly we were outnumbered by enthusiastic and cheerful females who filled the table and the next one.

Collective intuition saw through our masks of impassivity and the salient facts where dragged out. A firebrand turned to me and sought my opinion. This I gave without the slightest hesitation.

I think dowry is the most ridiculous concept I have ever heard

The waiters who rushed downstairs to fight what they thought was a sudden fire went back up gratefully when they realized it was merely outrage. I can’t remember all of what was said, chiefly because there were several outraged voices talking at once at very high volume. But the more pressing questions were:

Typical! It’s just because you probably can’t pay the dowry!

Granted the best I can offer Aida’s folks if were fortunate enough to get round to that stage right now is a couple of cats and a few rabbits. But that is not why I am against it.

How else can you prove your commitment to her?

Probably the fact that I asked her to marry me, and spend the rest of her natural life with me is a pretty good indication of my commitment. But that’s just me

You need to prove that you can support her

Well, first of all asking me to empty my savings will precipitate me in an even worse position than before, and we will be reduced to buying five loaves and two fish. And in any case isn’t the whole idea taking care of each other?

It’s tradition

No offence to anyone, but there are a whole boatload of bollocks traditions that we have today that need to be done away with.

But you have to thank the parents for bringing her up

I agree that the folks must be given their due props. But why exactly is paying large sums of money the best way to do this? Trust me, I am deeply grateful.

If anything, I believe the whole concept does more harm than good. Much as we have come along way we all know that there are men among us with the most primitive ideals about women. The notion of making him pay to marry his wife still further reinforces his misguided notion that she is bought and paid for and is thus his property. Handing over cows and goats and money is proof of absolutely nothing.

The whole concept just perpetuates the notion of a wife as property, stifling social development still further. It places unnecessary strains on the unfortunate groom who quite literally can be reduced to a pauper overnight. I doubt it does much for the relationship between the prospective groom and his new inlaws, who will be outraged to discover they live in a one room apartment (including kitchen) so small that one has to step outside for the other to change clothes.

It is in my considered opinion that when I go down on one knee, the bride to be, in my mind is priceless and no amount of money, livestock or sacks of grains can ever be enough. Not nearly.

Of coursed if forced to sell a liver heart colon kidney, or something else I have a pair of, I won’t have much choice :( But then again she could always have a bag packed and listen for pebbles hitting her window

PIC OF THE DAY

I’ll teach you how to stunt
My wrists stay rocked up
My TV’s pop up in a Maybach benz
I’ll teach you how to stunt
Nigga you can’t see me
My bently GT got smoke-gray tints
I’ll teach you how to stunt
My neck stay blinging, my rims stay gleaming, I’m shining man
I’ll teach you how to stunt …

Scenes at the last G Unit Concert

Jerzee Monet – Most High
  • http://farmgal.wordpress.com Farmgal

    This reminds me of the ‘korachia’ thing we went for afew weeks ago. Fortunately the jamaa wasnt asked for much. Your friend needs to speak to his pearl, tell her to use this trick. . .in a fit tell her relas that the jamaa cant afford to pay the dowry and he is calling the whole thing off! It might just work.

  • http://prousette.blogspot.com Prousette

    There is nothing wrong with the “gift to the parents” idea per se. The problem comes in when there is a goal to meet. i.e if you do not deliver six cows and twelve goats. Has K considered eloping as an option? Cut them out of the picture then they have to accept you coz after all you are living with their daughter

  • http://www.beginsathome.com Mama JunkYard

    From a personal perspective, I am adamant that my family do not ask my fiance’s family for dowry. This is not so much to do with ignoring our culture.

    Firstly, you are right, it does reinforce the stereotype of women as property.

    Secondly, and this is perhaps my stongest objection, Mich is not Kenyan. I think it would be unfair to impose an aspect of our culture, that I don’t even fully support, on his family.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/6048655 M

    @Farm gal — that one is def on the cards

    @prousette — A gift is voluntary. Once it is demanded it ceases to be a gift!

    @mama j — hear hear!

  • http://bankelele.blogspot.com bankelele

    just tell your buddy to stick to his guns – he has to tell them there are some ridiculous things he won’t do (can’t do)!

    some uncles have been known to deliberately mess up wedding plans by asking for the moon and the stars – just to get back at the parents of bride for some old sh*t

  • imn

    i don’t your friends family is right in asking for so much money – but the spirit of a gift to the parents i think is admirable, problem is when the family starts counting from childhood how much they’ve put into the girl and want to be paid back

  • http://kohcohshaven.blogspot.com Ms K

    I agree with you M. The whole idea of dowry is rubbish! Why doesn’t the girls family pay dowry to K’s family thanking them for raising him into a man she could marry?

    Gift my foot! As far as I’m concerned, my family shall not ask for dowry. Eh na wasikie. Otherwise we’ll just hop on a plane for Las Vegas!!

    Gifts are just that. Gifts.

  • http://backinthedaynbi.blogspot.com Memoire

    Yes, dowry will just lead to the woman being held ransom by her husband or his inlaws, and she’ll be expected to withstand bad treatment on the count of “being owned” or if she’s mistreated and hepas, her folks might tell her to go back ’cause they can’t afford the dowry refund.

  • Anonymous

    M,
    My bags are packed…
    A.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/3081800 Deno

    Dont know if it was intended..but like the play upon words..or shoudl i say play upon css..

    your sentiments are ‘thinking outside the box’ – get it..look at whats in your grey boxes..

    I wouldnt put it behind you mr M.

  • http://guessaurus.com Guess

    M – Wholeheartedly agree with you and everyone else on this.

    Couple of points on this:

    - If dowry is to prove that a man can look after a woman, why is it paid to relatives – shouldnt it be left with the marrying couple.

    - Ditto on the gift/foot (Ms K)
    - Especially (not exclusively) for those who are abroad – by the time we get married we would have been living together with the man, and we have/will have done so much for the folks back home, then when marriage is mentioned, they then demand more instead of letting you build your future together.

    I have always felt strongly about this particular tradition, but apparently the bride has no say in the matter – (well then I am not going to get married, find someone else to get dowry from, I would say)

    (Sorry for the long comment)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/6048655 M

    @bankelele – we were unanimous there. It is clear who he is marrying. Anyone else is of nuisance value

    @imn – once it is demanded it ceases to be a gift!

    @miss k – LOL! My folks won’t mind a couple of cows and the odd 100k for raising me. Why should they be short changed?

    @memoire – exactly my point. This practice sows seeds of destruction

    @Anon – ;)

    @deno – ask no questions and be told no lies :)

    @Guessaurus – excellent point. That cash is better used on the newly married couple

    BTW this blog is not run by the Narc Administration so free expression is permitted and welcome, as much as it is

  • http://ajkenswi.blogspot.com Adrian

    thanks for this!
    yani i’m thinking of printing this out and keeping it till the day i’m at the same stage as your buddy – just so that i can have some good arguments against this whole dowry thing ready.

  • ni2

    Okay so now I have to go against the grain just a “little” bit.

    If you wanted to marry my daughter OFCOURSE you have to pay dowry. Its tradition (the one I selectively choose to follow).

    But On the other hand I will not stand for my siblings or husband trying to frustrate my daughter. I would think that I would discuss with her in private exactly what the man is willing to give. But since I dont see myself with child or walking down any aisles…

    And since I havent attended nor taken part in any of those events. And I dont see myself doing the same, I will not comment any further.

    As for the woman feeling like she is owned… I think this just depends on what Traditions you choose to keep and those you choose to drop. If you and your hubby who you should have like more than a passing understanding of what he thinks of traditions feel that paying dowry is being owned then dont pay. Otherwise… its the two of you. Its the 21st century… If you want to pay… PAY! If you dont want to pay… DONT pay!

    Oh by the way. So if you are a single parent… you still get dowry? Especially cases where you werent married technically ie Church or Civil or Traditional but you “are married” Do you still ask for your daughters dowry?

    As for K. I should think that if its distressing you so much your significant other is also feeling the pinch. She should be cozing quite a storm back at the digs. Having fits of rage at their audacity for asking for a ridiculous amount. She should be giving ulitmatums. If on the other hand she happens to be less extorverted and if be nice and quite and being the prefect daughter… well… just make sure you know who comes first in her life.

    I have to apologise for making such a long post. I just had alot to say.

  • Anonymous

    just for brevity’s sake, could we hear from an older guy, the generation of our fathers to get their take on this and explain the whole dowry thing. Do we really know all there is to know about dowry and its purpose? Those old guys have a way of surprising us if only we listen.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/7017657 She

    Give Pearl gold,her father an expensive suit an IOU note to her mother an IOU that she will have gradchildren asap.This will inspire her to accept the ‘union’ much faster.To the other rela’s,a hearty smile.He knows that he has worked from the inside and there is nothing they can do to him :-)