#Wagogni
Among the Acholi, a lady who is already married is referred to as "migogo"(singular),plural "wagogni"
Now, Migogo is a very important establishment, if not institution. The state of being married or "kend",say "keny".is highly revered.Migogo is also referred to as "ogwang" I must add that a stray/wild cat also goes by this name. See!
It is believed that an in unmarried nubile lady brings bad omen to those dwelling in the compound. As such, when such a lady changes geography, Amadioha forbid, they are buried at the far end of the fence from outside. It is believed that they prevent those little girls not yet married from being married and getting children. (some beliefs though!)
Now, a migogo is respected as well. Especially when "or" as son in-law is referred to as forms the key interplay. That's to say if she is married! I still don't understand this obsession with marriage. Isn't one free to decide whether to stay single or not? Why this pressure. My grandma,may her soul rest in peace, couldn't convince me! What with her always calling me "chuora",meaning 'my husband' At one point she gave up and said "Nyathini ibochendo mbele kae"(this child you will disturb in front here)
Oche (plural) are a valued "commodity" among my people. (Could this be the reason why ladies are impressed upon to get married?) I'm still researching on this. When migogo goes visiting her mother, also known as "Maro" by her husband, rest assured that "or" will part with some 'chums".It's inevitable! No "or" wants to be painted black, mean and uncaring by their "maro".You may be forgiven to think that they are married to the maro! They can even rob a bank to please maro.
Our girls normally take this window period to visit their "agweng"(a former village lover) probably the one who initiated them into womanhood.I mean not all but some. Probably majority, but I'm not saying it. The money from"or" does wonders. These guys, usually village celebrities, capitalize on such wind of favor blowing their way to the maximum elastic limit! (I'm not in this category though!) Pok nasero agweng! (I've never wooed a double villager)
One thing though is that any wife without a daughter among the Acholi regrets! Whenever a mother with daughters eats sukuma wiki for three consecutive days, they automatically become "sick" and migogo has to either come see them or "MPESA" them "pes osuptal"(money for hospital) Need I say that she will send his son for "ring'o nus e bucha with this cash? (half a kilo of meat from the butchery) The bloke will go literally jumping! (ojoga) 'it has "enoughed" me'
However, do not have the misfortune of having a funeral.You will pay, as their brother(s).They will do the normal things like contributions, welcoming oche and the likes. But woe unto you the moment they arrive in the compound in the DDay, the belles will be wailing, rolling, crying, weeping etc while heading towards the kitchen "wololo, mayooo, uuuwiiii, adhi kakamanga chuo nyama, adhi Kisumu chip nyama, ti achiedh nade? Lo lo lo jajuok, Ous nyathiwa mane tera ong'ora magoro olalgo"(Wolololo mayoo,uuwiiiii,i go to Kakamega, men chew me, I go to Kisumu men chew me, how will I move? Ous our child who used to take me to night escapades has been swallowed into abyss, how will I move?)
Later after the funeral, they will literally camp at your door for fare to Nairobi. Normally their brothers are so cooperative, they look for the money to send them away for it is better to borrow from TALA than to have a quarrel between your wife and migogo.
Need I highlight how they can reduce your wife(Worries Invited For Ever) to nothing?
Still, family is great. Don't I just love wagogni?
But then I only remember these things when I'm linguistically tipsy!
Thanks Eliday Murimi and Hon Geoffrey Mogire!(I dedicate this story to the two of you)
I remain
FK
Intelligence Analyst
Among the Acholi, a lady who is already married is referred to as "migogo"(singular),plural "wagogni"
Now, Migogo is a very important establishment, if not institution. The state of being married or "kend",say "keny".is highly revered.Migogo is also referred to as "ogwang" I must add that a stray/wild cat also goes by this name. See!
It is believed that an in unmarried nubile lady brings bad omen to those dwelling in the compound. As such, when such a lady changes geography, Amadioha forbid, they are buried at the far end of the fence from outside. It is believed that they prevent those little girls not yet married from being married and getting children. (some beliefs though!)
Now, a migogo is respected as well. Especially when "or" as son in-law is referred to as forms the key interplay. That's to say if she is married! I still don't understand this obsession with marriage. Isn't one free to decide whether to stay single or not? Why this pressure. My grandma,may her soul rest in peace, couldn't convince me! What with her always calling me "chuora",meaning 'my husband' At one point she gave up and said "Nyathini ibochendo mbele kae"(this child you will disturb in front here)
Oche (plural) are a valued "commodity" among my people. (Could this be the reason why ladies are impressed upon to get married?) I'm still researching on this. When migogo goes visiting her mother, also known as "Maro" by her husband, rest assured that "or" will part with some 'chums".It's inevitable! No "or" wants to be painted black, mean and uncaring by their "maro".You may be forgiven to think that they are married to the maro! They can even rob a bank to please maro.
Our girls normally take this window period to visit their "agweng"(a former village lover) probably the one who initiated them into womanhood.I mean not all but some. Probably majority, but I'm not saying it. The money from"or" does wonders. These guys, usually village celebrities, capitalize on such wind of favor blowing their way to the maximum elastic limit! (I'm not in this category though!) Pok nasero agweng! (I've never wooed a double villager)
One thing though is that any wife without a daughter among the Acholi regrets! Whenever a mother with daughters eats sukuma wiki for three consecutive days, they automatically become "sick" and migogo has to either come see them or "MPESA" them "pes osuptal"(money for hospital) Need I say that she will send his son for "ring'o nus e bucha with this cash? (half a kilo of meat from the butchery) The bloke will go literally jumping! (ojoga) 'it has "enoughed" me'
However, do not have the misfortune of having a funeral.You will pay, as their brother(s).They will do the normal things like contributions, welcoming oche and the likes. But woe unto you the moment they arrive in the compound in the DDay, the belles will be wailing, rolling, crying, weeping etc while heading towards the kitchen "wololo, mayooo, uuuwiiii, adhi kakamanga chuo nyama, adhi Kisumu chip nyama, ti achiedh nade? Lo lo lo jajuok, Ous nyathiwa mane tera ong'ora magoro olalgo"(Wolololo mayoo,uuwiiiii,i go to Kakamega, men chew me, I go to Kisumu men chew me, how will I move? Ous our child who used to take me to night escapades has been swallowed into abyss, how will I move?)
Later after the funeral, they will literally camp at your door for fare to Nairobi. Normally their brothers are so cooperative, they look for the money to send them away for it is better to borrow from TALA than to have a quarrel between your wife and migogo.
Need I highlight how they can reduce your wife(Worries Invited For Ever) to nothing?
Still, family is great. Don't I just love wagogni?
But then I only remember these things when I'm linguistically tipsy!
Thanks Eliday Murimi and Hon Geoffrey Mogire!(I dedicate this story to the two of you)
I remain
FK
Intelligence Analyst
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