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They Sold My Sister

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The story ”They Sold My Sister” is written by Leteipa Ole Sunkuli in 1989. The text includes subjects as forced marriages, growing up in a society with powerful men and helpless young girls. The fear of being sold to wealthy unknown men was very common. The way the suitors bought them, was not that difficult. The men’s appearance was not important for the parents. They just wanted money and gifts for their daughters. “They Sold My Sister” is a very good example on how girls, in the Maasai tribe, had been forced into marriage. “They Sold My Sister” is a story which takes place in Kenya in the period of 1970’s. Naliki is 12 years old and the narrator of the story. She describes the action which happens in the Maasai tribe. Through the entire story, we will follow Naliki’s feelings and conversations between the parents. She is described to be afraid, sensitive and unhappy (p. 17 line 2). Two years ago when Naliki was 10 years old, her parents sold her sister, Nyamalo, to a wealthy ugly man who owned a large flock of sheep. The mother is violent. The family lives together in a poor society in Kenya where many farmers and nomads lives. A patriarchal- traditional society. Naliki said the word, “sold” to refer her sister’s marriage, but her mother did not like it and beat Naliki and said that, “dowry” was a kinder and more civilised word (p. 13 line 21). Even if the girls are willing to rebel against the marriage, they are unfortunately helpless, but the close bond between the sisters is important for them. Her brother Tamuku is the only one who can stop the marriage. When his father asked him to bring Nyamalo from school, Tamuku refused. He said that Nyamalo must be allowed to finish secondary school and she can choose her own husband, this is seen on page 14 lines 1-4. The father is not listening to Tamuku, and says that whether he likes it or not, Nyamalo is going

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