By VERA OLOO
Buying a khanga: Coastal women use the cloth as a medium of silent communication, hence the need to carefully read and comprehend the different message printed on them before choosing one."Karibu Wangu Muhibu" says a message boldly printed on a
khanga. It's Kiswahili for "welcome my darling."
This is just one of the many messages carried by the
khanga the flowery, cotton cloth that many African women drape around their waist indoors as well as in public places.
Among the Waswahili of the East African Coast, white
khangas are worn during the full moon to symbolise the "whiteness" of the woman's heart to ward her husband. Bright-coloured
khanga are worn to match the colourful waist beads of the woman adding to her attraction.
To these communities, the colours of the
khanga have a very special meaning.
A young girl who has become pubescent, or a woman who has just given birth will be given a red and a black
khanga respectively, while a bride will be given a specially designed one with small crosses and rosettes in red, black and white called
kisutu as a sign of her new status.
The messages on the
khanga determine their monetary and emotional value. The message can break or make a relationship.
"The first thing I did when I received the gift of a
khanga from my husband was to read the message," says Hadija, "I was really amused to see the message
"Titi la Mama ni Tamu", meaning mothers milk is best. This immediately made me realise that my husband wanted me to breastfeed our baby."
If a woman is not on good terms with her mother-in-law for instance, but feels she cannot confront the older woman directly, she can walk around with a
khanga that says
"Sema Usemayo Mitaani, ni Wangu Ninae Ndani", meaning "you can do and say what you like, but I have your son in my house". Or a more open message that says
"Mama Mume Nimemkuta Ubaoni na Kuku Mweupe" implying that her mother-in-law resorts to witchcraft to alienate her son from her.
Khanga with special messages for newly-weds are chosen as good omen. A good example is one saying
"Nitunze Nipendeze Waigao Wasiweze", meaning cherish me that I nourish. There are also messages for wayward partners such as
"Utamaliza Mabucha Nyama Ni Ile Ile", meaning you will exhaust the butcheries, while all meat tastes the same". Or
"Tukae Tuishi Wazuri Haweshi" implying that the couple should live in harmony as beauties are born every day!
A nosy neighbour can also be put off by an accurate message such as
"Nilidhani Jirani Kumbe Fisadi Mtaani" - "I thought you were a good neighbour while you were just a spoiler".
From the moment a baby is born, it is tradition to wrap it in a new
khanga which has neither been cut nor bound. This attaches prosperity, strength and aesthetic value to the child.
When a Muslim woman dies, her body is washed and covered in six
khangas. Since this is a solemn ritual, only the best can be used. These
khanga later become a sort of alms from the deceased; the blessings from those who use them go to the deceased.
They can also be used to identify the sex of the deceased. If male, the hearse will be covered with a
kikoi, a loin cloth worn by men. If female, a
khanga will be tied at the centre.
When a woman is divorced, she is given a pair of
khanga by her in-laws so that she can be washed in them to mark the end of their relationship. She also leaves behind a pair for her ex-husband to wish him well in the next marriage.
A
khanga also acts as a corset for a just-delivered woman. It is tied tightly around her midriff so that the enlarged uterus quickly shrinks back to it's normal size.
Despite the rich culture and meanings behind the wording on
khanga, most women in Kenya will agree that they only choose
khanga depending on their durability and beauty. But to a Coastal woman, regardless of how beautiful the design is, if the message is not appropriate, then it's not good enough for her.
Labels: coastal women, east african coast, kenya, khanga, messages, uses of
