The Wives Revolt

Ada, the basket weaver of Uke village, was thoroughly discouraged. From her seat upon the low wall surrounding her father's properties, she gazed sadly at her now simple home and the open workshop that was now the compensation of her father's wealth. The culture that women don't inherit properties vexed her, especially when all her father had worked for was now managed by a gambler who had sold everything for the vain cheers that came from the gaming table. Her husband Maduka, frequently appeared at the open door, His furtive glances in her direction was to remind her of his empty belly that needed some food, but he knew better not to ask, judging from her countenance. His slow mind was struggling patiently with a problem. The hot, tropical sun, so typically of this village beat down upon him, beads of perspiration formed upon his brow and trickled down unnoticed to lose themselves in the hairy jungle of his chest.

He wasn't going to let himself die of hunger, when did the countenance of a woman begin to scare him? He asked himself as he gathered momentum to go find answers to his already groaning belly. Ada sat quietly waiting for his reaction. She was aware the pots were empty and deliberately she had left them that way. The only way to have a reasonable discussion with her husband was when his belly needed some food.

"Obim" he called her, and for a reason she stayed mute pretending not to hear him call. Again he called and she retorted.

" Madu, please can you allow this lone woman to have some peace?" She demanded.

It's been 25 years since they were married and never a day had she called him by his name, he could sense trouble, but stayed calm. "What is eating you up? You've been moody ever since the day break"

"Everything is eating me up Madu, my father had died living behind properties and lands, it's barely 2 years ,and you've sold virtually everything"

Mr. Madu stayed silent, thoughts wandering through his mind. What does a woman know about properties? He thought. She couldn't even appreciate the fact that she had grown fat , she didn't even complain about it when she enjoyed the luxuries. While still in his thoughts she held his trousers daring him to speak.

"Can you at least prepare something for me to eat then we can talk about it?"

"Your trick wouldn't work on me, we'll have to discuss it now".

While the rant went on in Madu's house. Across the street was another woman complaining bitterly about her husband's lavishness.

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The next morning the women called for a meeting to address this similar plight that had befallen them.

"We deserve equal rights. Our fathers might have been more honorable to have had a fair share of the culture which says only men deserve portions of an inheritance. This torment on women needs to stop and if the men refuse to accept a 60/40 share of properties with women. Then we'll go on a strike, stopping our wifely duties and see if the men can bear our burden for long" The women leader addressed. Everyone accepted her suggestion with gladness, it seemed as if they've all been waiting for a platform such as this. After six market days , the request laid by the women was shunned. It's an abomination that properties be shared with the ladies. What will our ancestors say of us? Weaklings. That will not happen". The women didn't fight back, they already had their plans laid.

Madu woke up the next morning to find the baby crying

"Where has this woman gone early this morning?" He mumbled under his breath and walked around the surrounding area of the house but couldn't find her. The kitchen was empty, it was strange, she often woke up early to prepare something for the baby. He called her name several times but only the echoes of his voice resounded in the moist air. Soon news spread and they realized their wives had left.

"To where?"

"No one knows, I checked her room and realized she had fetched everything that belongs to her and is nowhere to be found"

Madu quickly ran to his wife's room and noticed it was empty.

The following week was terrible for the men. The smoke they inhaled from making fire from woods, babysitting and cleaning the baby's pool, waking up early to prepare something for the babies was a horrible experience for them. In a week, the men had grown slim, there was no time left for them to gamble or enjoy the luxury of their wealth, it was as if their lives were stuck to home care. Gradually they came to understand the role a woman played at home, it was their presence that made life more enjoyable.

"Please, we need to call back our wives. Sharing a portion of an inheritance isn't a bad idea at all" reaching this conclusion, the men eagerly waited for the return of their wives.

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