Does your clan have anything to do with who you are?

One Monday morning I sat to read my all-time favorite crazy Monday. I came across this article describing Kikuyu women from Ethaga, Akiuru or Ambura clan. The writers described them as very beautiful and charming but were dogged with a ‘curse’ of sorts. It reminded me of my relationship that had ended seven months ago.

We had just dated for a month when he insisted to know my clan. I thought he was joking because, at this age, who still bothers about mihiriga and mbari? (clans and sub clans). He does not even know how to speak the language. So I dismissed it and until he brought up the issue again, did I get interest to ask my dad. “You are an Ethaga”, he had told me. I did not know how much this answer would later cost me.

The next time he asked me about it, I enquired to know why he was so interested. He told me that there were some clans he would not marry from. Those whose ladies were not sexually upright those that easily dished out their goodies, had evil eyes and who were witches. He went on to say that if he found out that he was dating a lady from the latter clan, things would get very complicated and that he would have to consult widely because it was a no-go-zone. It was then that I told him that I was an Ethaga, the latter clan. He did not believe and he told me that I must have made a mistake and that I should enquire again. Remembering how my dad had made me repeat after him my clan name, I was sure I had not heard the wrong thing.

It was then that he told me that the members of Ethaga clan were long time witches. I really don’t know what that felt like but at first it sounded ridiculous. I remembered the many people who had wrongly crossed my path and though reluctantly, I forgave them. I mean, if I was a witch, every time I swallowed hard after I got offended something should have broken or maybe flames would light, right? I did not feel like a witch because if I were, I could have cast a spell on him to not listen to anyone but me. On that day, he said that he wished me well in my life endeavors and though we tried to make things work, they did not. I wished to have the ability to disorganize his dental formula such that his wisdom teeth took the place of incisors.

They say that “you never know where a shoe hurts until you wear”. That was the day I felt the pain of stereotypes. I have been brought up in a Christian family, where coveting, let alone stealing is a crime. Then someone I have met on my way to adulthood thinks I possess the traits of a witch because I come from such a clan. What would surpass such pain at that time?

Now here I read about red spots and mysterious deaths of husbands. I try imagining if while in the shower I saw any red spots and No, I didn’t. So is it literal? What is it exactly? I decide to look up the internet for more information on the same. There is not much apart from they had the ability to control the rain, were doctors and also thought to be witch doctors.