I want to marry you.
Cows I have none.
I want to carry you back home.
Your brothers won't allow it.
I want to hold you and keep you close.
Your clan says it is a taboo.
There is a price I have to pay.
They say you are custom tailored.
A woman of a tribe.
I want to dress you in a white veil.
A long gown that sweeps the church floor.
Balloon, red and white ribbons everywhere.
A cake for the high table.
With words inscribed "till death do us apart"
The old men refute all these.
A tuxedo for a moran? No!
A warrior, the only man they can hand over their daughter to.
The elders command that I apply red ochre on my head.
Wear hide and skin and carry a spear.
Have an ostrich feather 🪶 starched on my headband.
Carry water in goats skin and dry meat in my leather back pack.
Have a herd of cattle and fleet of sheep following me with women ululating.
Have porridge gourds and banana wrapped in their own wide leaves.
©ed-rukungu
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