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A New Dawn for Bargain

“From this day hence shall I call you daughter nor you I mother no more” The water pot fell from the old woman Agata as she tore her blouse to expose her chest. “These breasts did not suckle an unfilial seed.” Said Agata, lifting her breasts to the heavens. Hope Acaki stood speechless as she looked at her friend Suzie, numb to the weight of the pot that sat on her newly plaited head; newly estranged to a mother’s love.
*
Hope had washed the previous night’s dirty utensils; she was halfway done sweeping by day’s break. She swept with such lifelessness that worried Mzee Gudut, who instead of milking had resorted to watching. Cherowinya had just emerged from the main hut; a bowl of groundnuts on one hand, goatskin on the other. Her waist girded with a traditional kitenge.
“Come sit with me” Cherowinya tapped on the goatskin. “Your older sister will finish the sweeping.”
“You have accomplished so much this early morning. It gladdens my heart.”
“I did not have much sleep” Hope popped her knuckles as she sat.
“I’m aging, minute features skip me. Do tell, what it is that troubles you!”
“Mother, will you disown me if I can’t stand the knife?”
“I’m confident you can. All your sisters went through harmlessly. School kept you away for too long.”
“Must I be cut, mother?”
“Yes child, this is the season. You know how it is with our people. A girl is ten times more valuable, desirable and respected in the aftermath. You’ve seen the men who flock your father’s compound asking for your older sisters’ hands; had it not been for university, your father’s kraal would be full.”
“Across the well, another young girl has died. Mzee Kiropat’s daughter can hold her urine no more. Sagal, my childhood friend remained incognizant for several hours days ago and now walks as though a log sits between her legs. All these after being cut. Mother, I’m scared”
“I know child, I was too. A decade ago, it was non-negotiable; it was and still is a guarantee of fidelity. Rebels were ostracized.”
“A decade ago, no one was ever liable on conviction to imprisonment. I will be married off mother, my education will be my value and bring more wealth than any woman of the knife ever has.”
“Is that so?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Till then.”
“Yes mother.”

58 Responses

  7. This is an amazing piece, Freddie. Hope’s ability to negotiate with her mother in order to avoid being cut and her mother being sensitive, is a new dawn that we need to experience. Kudos!

  11. Put an END to FGM period. embrace a new world where cruel social practices don’t have to stand in the way of invaluable choices.. she chooses education, wow and what a brave woman. “I will be married off mother, my education will be my value and bring more wealth than any woman of the knife ever has.” A great story Fred, keep writing.

    1. Thank you Catherine. We must put an end to FGM. With this zeal, we surely can put this menace behind us as we look towards the yellow sun of hope for a brighter future where FGM is nothing but a ‘once upon a time….’

  12. Great one Fred. This gives hope to those who are slaves to barbaric cultures. We must stand firm in stopping barbaric cultures that are unhealthy and undermine the dignity of men and women. Inspire more people with your writing Fred, so proud of you.

  13. A practice that estranges a daughter to a mother’s love, excludes her from enjoying the rights and dignity of a human being should be peeled off from our society. All the Agatas need to be educated!

      1. I am very happy to see this. Though it is our culture however there are some other cultural practices we should not accept at all. Fred your article is very interesting infact it was overdue, it should have come long time ago. Bogus culture of inflicting pain and surfering to our girls. Keep up the fight.

  17. The trauma the little girl Hope had after witnessing her friend disowned is what every girl in a FGM practicing communities goes through. I’m glad she was up all night contemplating on the matter that changed how her story could have ended. An amazing work here. Please expand this story.

  20. This is a nice piece Fred..work that promotes dignity, peace and freedom .FGM has been a problem for centuries and am glad this is the generation where we say it has to stop ,thank you for wanting to protect the girls by sharing a story where everyone can experience what exactly happens.Great work.

  21. This could be a stepping stone to humanity # To End such painful oppressions#.
    It’s a great piece of it’s kind… Fred💪
    Would love to read more.

  28. The (elderly) ladies in these communities need to be educated of the dangers of FGM as they are the ones usually “upholding the culture”. Thanks Fred for the initiative.
    👏👏👏

  30. What a powerful STORY! Voice of the voiceless in a very deep short story. We need more young people to write with such strength portrayed in “A New Dawn For Bargain” because you own the world now, and we look up to you. At my 55 years of age, my hope is in you Mugisha to put a strong fight to end such cruel cultural practices.

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