SHOWER ME WITH PRAISE

I hung out with the Rwandan aunties today. Dad was in town so they got to meet him. I was nervous they’d tell him about all the times I spoke back or rolled my eyes. I wasn’t nervous about them sharing any boy drama because (1) I tell dad about all my suitors so nothing to see there; (2) They don’t even know my private life… Im always careful to (forgive my french/kinyarwanda) not sh*%# where I eat.

I was pleasantly surprised when they praised my conduct in the community. One aunty said “I love your daughter, I named my daughter Olivia”. (*So very annoyed my sis and cousins weren’t there to witness this bc while I always suspected it, they always said she must just like the name, & now they’ll never believe it!!*) The aunties also told him of a fun game I started called “Baza Madame” which is an opportunity to gage how the views of women are shifting… The conclusion I always wish to highlight being, traditional gender roles, in the society as is, no longer make sense. Some aunties genuinely disagree with the principle and we respect that. Other aunties though seem to have a vibe of “why you get to chill when I suffered? Oya come make fufu!”

All in all, in spite of my untamable nature, I seem to have brought Honor to my family name. (NB: Certains disent que je suis imbu de ma personne. Devrais-je etre imbu de la leur?)