The River

There was a river a few kilometers from the village which was their main source of water and fish. Everyone had to wake up very early in the morning before the sun came up and went on to perform their duties. This was sometimes a problem for Cecilia, now 11 years old, because she always hated getting up that early. She desired just a little more time to lay on her mat on her side of the hut and enjoy the warmth of her blanket. Besides, it was really cold outside at that time. Only the village watchmen and sentries, known as "Ba Kapaso", who had been on duty the whole night were allowed to sleep all through the morning after being relieved of duty.

"Cecilia," Martha whispered gently shaking her. "It's time to wake up and sweep the hut."

Life in the village was primarily spent outside. The huts were mostly used for sleeping in. They were small and dark with no windows and only one entrance which had a makeshift door made from dried grass and sticks. They were thatched which was a problem in the rainy season as rain water would seep in.

Farming and gardening was another part of village life. Not too far from the main living region of the village were the farms on which vegetables for the entire village, including the Chief and his household, were grown. Men and women spent all day at the farms ploughing the fields, tending the crops and herding cattle and goats.

Every household was required to give tribute to the Chief through the Headman who would collect it all from the villagers and then have his men deliver it to the Chief. Therefore, the villagers engaged in various activities such as carpentry, Craftsmanship, and tailoring and dressmaking. The best articles and crops obtained from these activities were submitted as tribute, the others were used for personal use and also to trade within the village as well as with other villages.

"I've finished sweeping, mother," said Cecilia. "I've also packed the food for father and my brothers to have for lunch while they are at the farms."

"Good. Hurry up and head to the river before the others leave you behind," Martha replied.

Cecilia hastily grabbed two clay pots from the top shelf in the hut, accidentally knocking over the third one.

"Oops," she gasped. Looking around to see if her mother saw that.

"What was that??" Martha shouted from behind the hut.

Clay pots were bought with a few coins or a chicken. Realizing that her mother was on her way inside, she quickly swiped her headwrap from among the stack of clothes in the corner and ran out of the hut until she caught up with the other villagers who were walking to the river.

(The headwrap would be rolled up into a circle and placed on The head before placing the pot of heavy water on top of it. It made it easier for women to carry heavy things on the head like logs and firewood.)

"Cecilia! You're not late today," her best friend Salifyanji said jokingly.

"Yes haha," she replied. "But I broke one of Mama's pots before I left."

"She's going to punish you," laughed Salifyanji. She put her hand on Cecilia's shoulder and reassured her, "but don't worry, I'll help you buy her a new one."

Salifyanji and Cecilia had been inseparable since they became friends when Cecilia was 6 years old. Salifyanji was 2 years older than Cecilia so she was like her older sister and always looked out for her. But their friendship was going to end soon because Salifyanji would be taken away from her in the coming months, however, Cecilia had no idea.

They happily talked and shared stories, and also listened to stories from the other villagers on their way to the river. When they arrived there, it was a lively sight. The boys and men rushed over to the other side of the river incredibly excited to begin fishing while arguing about who would catch the most fish that day. Cecilia always enjoyed going to the river because it was peaceful there - free from the pressures of the village - and she got to hang out with her best friend.

Women carrying babies on their backs walked over to the river bank, bent over to draw water using their clay pots which they placed on their heads afterwards and started walking back to the village. Cecilia and Salifyanji stood a small way away from the river watching the scenery and taking it all in.

"Don't just stand there! Get to work!" one of the women yelled, startling the girls who rushed over to the river bank and begun fetching water.

In the meantime, some men from the neighboring village came to the river to fish claiming that they had been given permission to do so by the Chief himself. This caused a huge conflict to ensue with the group of men who were already there. Fists were flying and some men were thrown or pushed into the river. A few boys ran back to the village to get the Headman and ba Kapaso. But it would still be a while before they get there and back. One of the men noticed Cecilia drawing water from the river and instantly became infatuated with her. Being distracted, he got punched in the face and kicked into the river.

After the nagging women had left, Cecilia and Salifyanji put their waterfilled pots on the ground, gave each other a stare and then burst into laughter; completely ignorant of the fight that was going on. They then snuck off to their favorite place on another side of the river where no one went. Once there, they lay on the grass and enjoyed nature while chatting to each other.

"Can I tell you a secret? Please don't tell anyone," Salifyanji said to Cecilia in a low tone.

"Of course you can," Cecilia replied.

"You have to swear," Salifyanji said.

"Yes, I swear. What is it?" Cecilia responded, her interest piqued.

"I'm in love with a boy, and I've been secretly meeting with him in the forest," Salifyanji whispered. "He's even been touching me," she included shyly.

"WHAT?! W-ho? Wh-at do you me-an? Whe--" Cecilia stuttered in shock.

Now according to the village customs, males and females were not allowed to meet in secret. This was done to preserve the virginity of the female as there would be no opportunity for the two to fall into temptation. If a male was attracted to a female, he had to first express it to the village Headman who would then accompany him, along with an elder from his family, to the female's parents and negotiations for dowry would begin if the female was of marrying age. In this time, that age was 13 years since that's when the girls hit puberty and were considered women by the society after going through a "coming-of-age" ceremony.

Because of this, if anyone found out about what Salifyanji was up to, she and anyone helping her conceal it would be severely punished and disgraced unlike the boy who would only receive a stern warning against engaging in those activities.

Before Salifyanji could answer her questions, Cecilia speechlessly pointed to someone who had been standing behind the trees in the thick bush.