True Ease in Writing comes from Art, not Chance, As those move easiest who have learned to dance. - Alexander Pope
Dec 10, 2010
Eid at Mam Njuli's house
Eid in Gambia is very big. You go to the mosque for prayers and then stop by homes of relatives for a short visit. Here comes the biggie. Every time you go over to someone's house, they usually gift you with a generous amount of money we call "Salibo". When I was little, that was the only part of Eid I looked forward to and then I'd spend the money on stupid stuff.
On this very Eid, we went over to my paternal grandaunt's house Mam Njuli. She's my grandmother's younger sister. This was the day I realized the importance of naming children in my country. Almost all Muslim Parents in Gambia name at least one of their children after their own parents. My older sister Mariam was named after my father's mother.
Back to my grandaunt. As we left her house, she said to us "Mariam rek lai joh salibo" (I'm only gonna give Mariam money). Mom moye suma makk (She's my older sister ..metaphorically speaking since Mariam was named after grandaunt's sister). I'm thinking whaaaaaaaaaaaat!...Oh no this woman did not just say that! haha
So Mariam takes the money and then my grandaunt goes on to say "Dama la koh lebal soh maggeh fey mako" (I'm lending you the money and you'll pay me back when you grow up". Of course she was joking but I'm thinking what the hell! I just wasted my time going all the way to Serrekunda to see this woman and she's telling me only Mariam gets Salibo... HA! lol
I was pissed off. I wasn't mad that I didn't get money. I was mad that my sister got the money solely based on the fact that she was named after my grandmother. Craaaaazy culture!
I know I need to get over my bitterness but the wounds are still raw LOL