TOMMY BOYS, LESBIAN MEN AND ANCESTRAL WIVES. Ruth Morgan and Saskia Wieringa (eds, 2005)
Female marriages and bisexual women in Kenya. As narrated to and written by Nancy Baraka with Ruth Morgan ( In Tommy Boys, Lesbian Men and Ancestral Wives, 2005)
BACKGROUND:
Homosexuality has been termed barbaric and alien to our culture. It is seen as an import from the western culture. This notion has been instilled in Kenyans through various leaders, either through the church, both catholic and protestant, or from the government. Culturally our society has had a big problem with same sex relationships making it very difficult for people to come out ot publicly... When two women are seen hugging and kissing in public it is accepted as the norm for showing real friendship. However if they say they are lesbians, abuse is poured upon them, making it easier for them to remain in the closet and enjoy their freedom while they are there.
Interestingly, there is a well known tradition of same sex marriages between women from certain ethnic groups. When an elderly woman from Kikuyu, Gisu, Kamba or Kalenjin tribes decides she needs a female wife it is encouraged, not solely for the sake of inheritance but also as a way of encouraging procreation. This practice has been in existence for a long time and is still practised and accepted today.
INTERVIEWEES:
LAURA - (pseudonym), 26 year old modern professional woman. She was brought up in an urban setting and is not afraid of her sexuality. She is kikuyu and not traditional. Currently involved in a closeted relationship with a woman who has an official boyfriend.
SUKI - (pseudonym), 26 years old. Completed high school in the USA. Pursuing a course in health sciences. Has not disclosed her sexuality (i.e not out)
REHEMA - (pseudonym) 26 years old proffessional. She was brought up in the coastal region, in an urban setting. She has a girlfriend in the US and is considering relocating.
KAVISU - 57 years old and has no biological children. She lives in Kitui, around 120 kilometres from Nairobi.She was brought up in a rural setting and has no formal education. She is married to Mwikali whom she treats like a dughter in law. There is no sexual relationship between the two women. Kavisu has no sexual realtions with a man either.
MWIKALI - Kavisu's wife.
LAURA:
CLICK BUTTON TO CONTINUE...
