gods on the run ebook

In Kemede, the marriage rites of a woman are not complete until the husband-to-be is 'tested'.

After the bride price is paid, the man is handed over to the grandmother of the bride.

The two are then locked in a room where the man would prove his masculinity for twenty four hours. It is only after the grandmother certifies him 'fit' and 'capable' that the man takes his wife home.

If Kiraba's grandmother had been fit – like Teema's grandmother or Rela's grandmother or even Couso's grandmother, Siramini would have had no problem performing the rites.

But Kiraba's grandmother, her mother's mother was like Mkolombo, the wild beast from Kumutu that prowled in the darkness looking for people's food to steal.

Bent, with wild, crazy eyes and jagged teeth, rotten from years of chewing tobacco, the woman was sore to the eyes. Her ears were long too. Unusually long.

And she was waiting

Waiting for Siramini to come to her

Waiting for Siramin to take his clothes off...And her clothes too

After all, there is no price too great to pay for love

And Siramini loved Kiraba...