An African Tragedy. Part 1

An African Tragedy

If I told you the truth, you wouldn’t believe me. But I feel that it is my duty to tell the world…I loved her. Fire lived in her veins and ultimately consumed her. But there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t remember her presence. Even though I knew I would never be able to touch her, to kiss her, to feel her, I wanted nothing more than to call her mine. Beauty was her name. Let me tell you her secret…

It was a beautiful day in the village of Kambo North in the African country of Gambia. The air was filled with aromatic smells of freshly baked bread, spiced fruits and exotic flowers. A fattened cow has been slaughtered and fresh fish have been caught and prepared. A wedding is getting ready to take place.

While the final preparations were being made, sixteen-year-old Fatima Dalilah sat in her father’s mansion weeping and refusing to get dressed.

“Fatima, what’s wrong with you? Any young girl would kill to be in your position. Safilie is handsome, wealthy, and one day he’ll be the biggest politician in Kambo” the servant pleaded.

“Why don’t you marry him then? He already has two wives. What does he need me for? I’m not going to do this and I’m not putting that dress on.” Fatima threw her beautiful beige Bubu on the floor.

After many attempts to get Fatima dressed, the servant girl reported to Chief Alu Dalilah that his daughter refused to cooperate. In an outrage, Chief Dalilah stormed through the mansion and into Fatima’s room. He sees the Bubu in a pile on the floor and immediately picks it up.

“I will not have this Fatima. Put the dress on now.”

“Daddy no. Please! Please don’t make me go through with this.” She begged her father.

“Fatima, you know the customs and traditions of our people. Safilie paid the dowry and he will take you as his bride!”

“Is that all I am to you, a piece of property you can marry off to the highest bidder? I hate you! Now I see why mother could never love you.”

In a fit of rage Chief Dalilah slapped her across the face. “You will not shame me or disgrace my name. You are getting married and you will be a good wife to him. There is nothing more to discuss.” As he left the room, he instructed the servants to dress her and beat her if she did not cooperate. With streams of tears rolling down her face, Fatima allowed the servants to help her dress.

The courtyard of the mansion was ready and the wedding party lined up. Fatima refused to appear. To avoid further embarrassment, Chief Dalilah declared, “ Under Islamic law, Safilie Bookson and Fatima Dalilah are now joined as one. The celebration was in full bloom.