The women of Kufi village couldn’t decide which one was best;
To be trapped in a polygamous marriage or to be trapped in days of loneliness – days that affirm the reality that one is truly a widow.
Life as a full-time housewife? Or life as a full-fledged widow, completely independent of a man’s authority?
Chapter 9 – The Women of Kufi Village
The women of Kufi?
Understanding wives!
Complacent!
Long-suffering!
Apathetic!
Manageable!
Passive!
Shy!
But I don’t blame them, this was exactly the culture in Kufi village. This is exactly what the men wanted their women to be and that is what they became.
The women of Kufi were women who would do their best to protect their children and go to the ends of the earth to satisfy their husbands.
They were so family-conscious and submissive that they ate only after their children and husbands had eaten to their hearts’ content.
They were hardworking – diligent and determined- but, of course, only when it came to household chores. They rose with the sun and slept with the moon.
Their daily responsibilities included activities like; washing linens, keeping an eye on the kids, husking rice and winnowing grains, and of course, the most important, tending to their darling husbands.
After a day’s job, they would take their baths and stand at the doors of their houses, staring into the distance, hoping to see their darling husbands return home.
Then, they would feed the family and quietly sit, watching their husband’s every move to understand if he is sad, happy or tired. This was the reality of women in monogamous families.
In polygamous families, it was a different ball game. Senior wives and junior wives always engaged in a virulent spew of words just to have their darling husbands in their beds. Let me give you a glimpse.
Lights! Camera! Action!
Junior wife: I need help nowww!! Where is my husband??? Senior wife release my husband to me!
Senior wife: (no reply)
Junior: Old Hag! Won’t you release my husband to me? I am dying! Husband! Can’t you leave her? What a wicked man you are!
Senior wife: Stop that dirty noise, Junior wife! Your mouth stinks like the faeces of a sick cattle in the yard! What sickness afflicts you?? Diie today! We will bury you.
Junior wife: …
Read the book to get the full gist. This is only a summary…wink wink.
So you see, so much pandemonium inside various marriages in Kufi village. Everyone was seeing one or two marriage-wise, except Yaremi. She couldn’t be bothered. Her husband had died.
She became a philanthropist, a prolific giver! She’d give cocoa, pumpkins, a warm smile, flour, etc. She gained a great reputation in the Kufi society and women revered her. They wanted to be like her; single and free.
Of course, this angered the men of Kufi!
A woman wasn’t supposed to have a name or be recognised in society, that was solely for the men. What impudence! How dare Yaremi?
The Kufi men liked their women as timid, bashful, shy and of course always at their mercy. So, they kept Yaremi at arm’s length, plotting to deal with her decisively.
But, some found Yaremi attractive. Men like Ayanwale, a very successful traditional drummer. He knew orikis and eulogies, so he used to drop bars for Yaremi. He’d beat his drum and hail himself from time to time before her.
There was also Olonade, the wood carver. He was a creative. He would speak to Yaremi about all his accomplishments, hoping to win her lonely heart.
Finally, there was Lanwa, the village farmer. He was somewhat like Ajumobi – one with nature! He knew all the clouds in the sky and he was familiar with every rain. He would also boast about all he had done and what he knew.
It was all about them.
All those Kufi men!
Whatever happened to;
Hi Yaremi, how are you?
How are you really doing?
If they loved themselves so much, why were they chasing Yaremi?
Tch.
Click here, Lonely Days Chapter 1 summary.
