At the beginning of the 20th century, Manguya, the son of a wealthy long distance trader fell in love with the spirited Mbenya wa Kanyeenyu, She was tall and had skin the color of clean river sand and was the last daughter of a retired long distance trader who dotted on her. He had taught her how to fight like a man and she was spoilt rotten. She showed no regard for any gathering of men save for the village elders and did not care that people derisively called her Mbenya who sits in men's gatherings. Mbenya wasn't impressed with Manguya's advances until one day, he brought her father the dowry fit for purchasing two wives and thus their dramatic life together began.
Manguya followed in his father's footsteps and he too became an ivory trader. It was a good thing for Mbenya wa Kanyeenu as she still had her independence owing to the fact that her husband was home only four moons each year. Her father died soon after giving her away. With no one to be accountable to to the chagrin of most villagers she became even more haughty and very very openly promiscuous.Only three of her seven children were sired by her husband Manguya.
With few friend's she only had one confidant, her cousin Kitengele. Kitengele came from a poor family and had been forced to marry the very wealthy but very ruthless and evil step-uncle Ngoni. Ngoni had four wives including Kitengele but for all his wealth, he did not have a child to leave his legacy to. By being forced to marry him, Kitengele was effectively sentenced to childlessness and it devastated her.
Many years later, Mbenya came up with a solution, marry her firstborn daughter Munyiva to Kitengele. This marriage between women (Iweto) was a tradition commonly practiced by women who could not have children. Think of it as getting a surrogate mother only that she would be your responsibility for the rest of her life. But since Ngoni was truly an awful person coming from a family of almost equal nastiness, no right thinking woman would agree to get ,married to Kitengele.
So Munyiva got married to Kitengele in 1923 She was given the freedom to choose the man she would have children with. She chose Muteti; a third cousin. However, every time she fell pregnant, the baby would be still-born. Villagers said that that was God's punishment or that hhis Jinis had turned against him or that he offered them s sacrifice. After a while, Munyiva stopped trying and the Ngoni's brothers anticipated his death with glee at the prospect of acquiring all his wealth. In 1948, Munyiva got pregnant again at the behest of Kitengele. Ngoni was growing old. This time, Mbenya and Kitengele devised a plan to confuse the spirits that kept stealing their children's lives.
She gave birth to a baby boy and immediately made a hole in the hut and let him out through it. As a result, he was named Matonyo. He would later change it to Mutonya (one who can). That is how my father Mutonya Muteti got his name .Kitengele assumed responsibility for her son as soon eagerly. He lived in her house and slept in her bed. Of course the rest of the family were jealous and disappointed at the birth of the boy but he had two formidable women protecting him. When the colonialists came looking for a volunteer from every family to attend school, they quickly volunteered him.
My great-grandmother Mbenya died in 2000. She was still very vocal and spirited. Of course I shall be back with Mbenya and Kitengele's adventures as told by her eldest son Kyengo, lastborn daughter Vatae and my father Mutonya.
Manguya followed in his father's footsteps and he too became an ivory trader. It was a good thing for Mbenya wa Kanyeenu as she still had her independence owing to the fact that her husband was home only four moons each year. Her father died soon after giving her away. With no one to be accountable to to the chagrin of most villagers she became even more haughty and very very openly promiscuous.Only three of her seven children were sired by her husband Manguya.
With few friend's she only had one confidant, her cousin Kitengele. Kitengele came from a poor family and had been forced to marry the very wealthy but very ruthless and evil step-uncle Ngoni. Ngoni had four wives including Kitengele but for all his wealth, he did not have a child to leave his legacy to. By being forced to marry him, Kitengele was effectively sentenced to childlessness and it devastated her.
Many years later, Mbenya came up with a solution, marry her firstborn daughter Munyiva to Kitengele. This marriage between women (Iweto) was a tradition commonly practiced by women who could not have children. Think of it as getting a surrogate mother only that she would be your responsibility for the rest of her life. But since Ngoni was truly an awful person coming from a family of almost equal nastiness, no right thinking woman would agree to get ,married to Kitengele.
So Munyiva got married to Kitengele in 1923 She was given the freedom to choose the man she would have children with. She chose Muteti; a third cousin. However, every time she fell pregnant, the baby would be still-born. Villagers said that that was God's punishment or that hhis Jinis had turned against him or that he offered them s sacrifice. After a while, Munyiva stopped trying and the Ngoni's brothers anticipated his death with glee at the prospect of acquiring all his wealth. In 1948, Munyiva got pregnant again at the behest of Kitengele. Ngoni was growing old. This time, Mbenya and Kitengele devised a plan to confuse the spirits that kept stealing their children's lives.
She gave birth to a baby boy and immediately made a hole in the hut and let him out through it. As a result, he was named Matonyo. He would later change it to Mutonya (one who can). That is how my father Mutonya Muteti got his name .Kitengele assumed responsibility for her son as soon eagerly. He lived in her house and slept in her bed. Of course the rest of the family were jealous and disappointed at the birth of the boy but he had two formidable women protecting him. When the colonialists came looking for a volunteer from every family to attend school, they quickly volunteered him.
My great-grandmother Mbenya died in 2000. She was still very vocal and spirited. Of course I shall be back with Mbenya and Kitengele's adventures as told by her eldest son Kyengo, lastborn daughter Vatae and my father Mutonya.