Death of a Living Mother

Death of a Living Mother

Shaki, one and a half, would play with her mother on a sofa that sits between a blue fridge and a standing fan in their single room. Two teeth up beaming reflex smiles as Anatu tickled her first child with her middle finger. It’s a moment every young married woman looks forward to experiencing. Though a typical African family house, Anatu’s husband, Derubu, was regarded as a prosperous man in his family because he could afford to own a television set and a big tape recorder that descends indigenous music to the neighbors in high volumes. So, if anybody should embody the tradition of the land, Derubu is expected to be an example.

But what tradition? A tradition that risks human life, health and future? Such were the questions Anatu kept asking Derubu when he informed his wife that it was time for them to mutilate Shaki’s vagina. “Why my only daughter?!” she questionably exclaimed with terror swinging in her eyes. Anatu, with all her oratory prowess and persuasive skills, discouraged her husband not to observe such a criminal rite on her daughter but he would not listen. The week was tragic in a peaceful home. As expected, the community supported Derubu and Saki was circumcised.

Shaki cried and her mother wept. The blood, the pain, the trauma left in the mother’s heart and the evil of being exposed to an unhealthy knife by the old man had a lasting effect….

A month after, Shaki shared Muthoni’s fate as Ngugi portrayed it in ‘The River Between’. Although she was later taken to the community clinic for orthodox medical attention, it was late. Shaki had to die, a death her mother would never forgive.

A year without another reproduction and daily irritation forced Anatu out of Derubu’s house. She remarried to a teacher in the city and another life began. Although the man was not rich, Anatu found her comfort in his house. Mr Kelani advocates for human rights and girl child’s education. It was in one of his weekend advocate programs that he met Anatu. With the support of her husband, Anatu too became an FGM advocate whose impact remains everlasting. Yet, Anatu remembers her child everyday. It’s more of a heart injury: the death of a living mother.