From Rosa Mistika, Chapter 7

Abstract

from Rosa Mistika, Chapter 7 Euphrase Kezilahabi (bio) and Jay Boss Rubin (bio) Strict as he was when it came to raising his daughters, Zakaria still wanted to see them married off as quickly as possible. When he heard Rosa had gotten herself a fiancé, he was delighted. Zakaria could already feel the load being lifted from his shoulders. Around this time, Zakaria was accustomed to saying, "Having so many daughters is a real hassle! You wouldn't believe the number of visitors we get. People stopping by to ask for directions," he'd complain. "People asking for a glass of water, then getting up to leave after a single sip." Five daughters in one location did attract a lot of attention. Boys in the area referred to Zakaria's compound as "the zoo." Zakaria and Regina awaited the arrival of Rosa's fiancé with great anticipation. They also wondered, Where is he going to sleep? It would be a shame for a guest—especially an important one—to have to cram into an already-crowded house. They'd ask him to sleep in the living room, they decided. That was the best they could do. Their other daughters all heard the whispers that a visitor would soon be in their midst—the man who'd proposed to Rosa, they gathered. When Deogratias finally arrived, he was given the royal treatment. Each day, a chicken was slaughtered in his honor. No one rushed into the official business they had to discuss, and Deogratias was given ample time to spend with his fiancé. There was only one thing that bothered Zakaria and Regina: while he was eating, and even when he paused to utter greetings of respect to passing elders, Deogratias failed to take off his hat. Somehow, he failed to understand this most basic custom, even though he was an African like them. Zakaria and Deogratias were seated at the fire one evening when Deogratias first braved the matter of the mahari, the dowry he had come to pay. Zakaria was well prepared. "Aaa, yes, my child, the mahari," he began. "My wife and I have started discussing it, but I can't yet give you our final answer. I'll just tell you our initial requests, so you can get your affairs in order. For starters"—Zakaria paused and motioned with his mouth over to their dilapidated dwelling—"you won't be shocked to hear we need a house." Zakaria went into great detail about how he envisioned the new structure. "If you can help me out with the roof," he said, "I can manage the rest. The mahari should also include," he continued, "four cows, two goats, a pestle [End Page 129] and mortar set, three chairs, and a thousand shillings. Last but not least, for now, one jug of moonshine. Not as part of the official dowry, but for me personally." "None of that is a problem," Deogratias responded after Zakaria was done. "Back home," he said with pride, "we pay up to 30 cows for the mahari, sometimes more." "Don't speak too soon!" Zakaria said right away. "That was only my partial list. And I still have to send you to my relatives. And the relatives from my wife's side of the family must have their needs met, too. After all," he explained, "the child is not mine alone to give away." "Sawa," Deogratias agreed. "None of what you say is unfair." The following day, Zakaria intended to show his guest around the island. Deogratias wasn't opposed to it; it was his first time visiting Ukerewe. For Zakaria, there was only one place such a tour could take them: to a location he was already quite familiar with. Zakaria led Deogratias to the edge of a clump of trees. From somewhere inside, plumes of smoke were issuing and a soft murmur could be heard. Deogratias knew right away where they were headed. He was a boozer, after all, just like Zakaria. Deogratias could booze it up like a full-grown man. Inside the thicket, Zakaria and Deogratias joined the small crowd gathered around the fire. They stayed at the village distillery the entire...