Folk Tales and Fables from The Gambia: Volume 4

By Mbye Bojang

The stories were gathered from the Serahulay, Wollof, Mandingo and Fula people of Gambia. The the themes in the nine stories contained in this Volume surround arranged marriages, polygamy and the lives of young girls in general.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Educational Services
• Release date: Dec 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9789983902075

Book preview

Nyima’s struggle against arranged marriage

Once upon a time, there were two families, the Sanyang and Touray who shared the same fence in the rural town of Madina Kunda. The second child of the Sanyang family was a girl named Nyima whilst the eldest child of the Touray was a boy called Siyoo.

Siyoo was in his twenties, single and by far the coolest bachelor in the town. He was over six foot tall and well built with athletic muscles around the arms and thighs. He was mild spoken, had rigid manners and a fixed smile. He was friendly and helpful to children and elderly women.

From the early days of childhood, Siyoo who was five years older than Nyima joked that she was his little wife. The Sanyang and Touray children played together and got on very well. Nyima used to spend her weekends with her maternal grandmother in the village of Dembaya. Every Sunday, Siyoo visited his grandfather who lived two compounds away from Nyima’s grandmother. Thus he was always given the task of taking young Nyima back home to Madina Kunda on Sunday evenings. These Sunday walks brought Nyima and Siyoo closer. They grew older and continued with the duty of spending time with their grandparents over weekends. Unconsciously, they fell in love. Nyima’s father, Kalilou Sanyang watched his daughter grow up to an attractive young girl. She was taller than most girls of her age. She had a long face, big eyes and a wide mouth with thick lips. She had a nice dark complexion and wore round gold earrings that were heavy. Her body was well covered with firm muscles; she had a small waist and distinct feminine curves at the hips and bust. Her breasts were the shape of newly laid eggs and they sat very well under her fitted outfits. Nyima was naturally nice and acted more maturely than most of her friends.

Kalilou had agreed with his cousin, Fakebba who lived across the river in the town of Taiba that their two children should marry. Nyima was secretly betrothed to Bolong who was her father’s nephew. She was unaware of her father’s secret pact with his cousin and the issue didn’t come up until news of Siyoo courting her reached Kalilou’s ears.

One afternoon, Kalilou was chatting with some elders at the village bantaba when Siyoo’s mother passed by. She slowed down to greet the men and then continued on her way. One of the men said to Kalilou:

She’s got a charming and respectable son and any parent would like him for a son-in-law. You’re a very lucky man, Kalilou.

What do you mean? Kalilou asked in a puzzled voice.

The man laughed and then replied: Didn’t you know that her son is dating your daughter? Kalilou smiled but didn’t reply. The news troubled him because a love affair between Nyima and any young man in Madina Kunda never crossed his mind. As soon as he arrived he asked:

Jankay, have you heard about our daughter? I was told today that Nyima is dating Siyoo, Kunkung Touray’s eldest son. I knew he used to joke about Nyima being his little wife but I never dreamt that he meant it. I won’t give away my daughter in marriage to a stranger. Nyima must follow our customs and marry within my extended family.

Hum, Ka.. .li.. .lou, where did you get this one from? Siyoo is a nice young man who’s always treated Nyima as a younger sister. Just because they get along very well doesn’t mean that they are in love. This is just a rumour. If Siyoo wanted her, he would have come forward long ago to ask for Nyima’s hand,Jankay reasoned with him.

"Heyjan.. .kay don’t come with that argument. There’s some truth in every rumour. This one is easy to deal with. Let’s call Nyima and ask her.

I’ve already given my word to my cousin, Fakebba and my choice of a husband for Nyima is Bolong." Kalilou stressed.

Jankay was quiet because she knew where such a conversation could lead. She was in no mood for an argument. She had her reservations about Kalilou’s proposal because Bolong’s mother was domineering and talked a lot. She hated sending her daughter to such a family. Her husband was determined to find out whether his daughter was dating Siyoo. He called out:

Nyima, Nyima! Where are you? Can you come?

Baba, I’m in the bathroom. I’ll be out soon, Nyima replied.

A few minutes later, Nyima met her parents in the sitting room. Her mother was mending the shirts and shorts of her brothers. She did not look up when Nyima entered the room. Kalilou was resting on his day bed swinging it slightly from side to side and closing his eyes as if he was asleep. He sat up when his daughter entered the room. She greeted her parents.

Sit down, Nyima. Kalilou pointed her to the other armchair in the room. She quietly took it and waited. He noisily cleared his throat and abruptly asked:

How’s Siyoo?

Nyima was surprised. She opened her mouth and then closed it. Her father had never spoken to her in this way and this confused her. She looked in the direction of her mother but the latter paid attention to her sewing. She seemed to ignore her husband’s question.

I...I assume that he’s at his home? Nyima stammered.

I want to know what is happening between the two of you. Is it true that you’re dating him? Kalilou’s voice was stern.

Nyima glanced at her mother before turning to her father.

Yes, Baba, we’ve been dating for the past three years, she admitted nervously.

Kalilou was silent for some time. Then he coldly explained:

Nyima, there’s a family tradition that we observe and we have always kept to it. The eldest child has to marry within the family. Thus you’ve been chosen for my nephew, Bolong.

Baa.. .ba, Bolong is too old for me. He has children who are almost my age. I’ll find it difficult to assume the role of a mother to them. I don’t even know how to treat them, Nyima said tearfully.

Jankay looked up and her heart went out to her miserable daughter. She could no longer keep quiet. She must intervene on behalf of Nyima.

"Kalilou, I’ve always refrained from interfering in your family matters but for this one, I can’t disappoint my own daughter. I agree with her that Bolong is too old to marry her. He should look for an older woman who could help him bring up the five children he had with his late wife. Nyima cannot handle those children and if she’s forced to marry Bolong the relationship wouldn’t last.

Nyima is the same age group as Bolong’s children and they would find it difficult to treat her as their mother. Life could be hell and she might grow to hate marriage. I don’t want my daughter to be forced to marry an elderly man." Her voice was final. She wasn’t prepared to change her point of view.

Well, I’m a man who keeps his word. I can’t go back on the promise made to my cousin. I’ll discuss your fears with his family and I’m confident that everything will be sorted out, Kalilou replied in a determined tone.

Baba, please reconsider your decision. I don’t love Bolong and I hate the thought of marrying him, pleaded Nyima. Her father didn’t answer. With a heavy heart, she got up and left the room. Kalilou was angry that his wife did not support him in his decision regarding who should marry their daughter. He was hurt and withdrew to himself. He decided that he would go ahead and discuss with his uncle his family’s fears about the proposed marriage between Bolong and Nyima.

He would sort out everything and then inform his wife and daughter.

After the discussion,Jankay avoided the topic relating to her daughter’s proposed marriage. She suspected that her husband wouldn’t give up but she was determined to support her daughter all the way.

From that day onwards, Nyima’s life changed. She was unhappy and afraid that her father would go ahead with his decision to give her to Bolong in marriage. She did not tell Siyoo anything about her father’s plans and so they