Tuck the Button Part 2: Stop Wife Beating
By Awuol Gabriel Arok, Juba, South Sudan.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 (PW) —It was the beginning of rainy season in South Sudan; Makuer a famous farmer was among t
he villagers of Makurudit who were waiting for the first drop of the rain that could soften the fields for cultivation.
Makuer, his wife (Aluenge), brother Marial, Lonhajooh (the chief), Atiamjoot (the assistant chief) are the major characters featured in the script.
SCENE 1
Makuer: My lovely wife, mother of Majak; Aluenge from the highest clan of Paduur, clouds of today seem to be telling us something important-yes they are promising rain.
Aluenge: Yes, father of Majak you are right those heavy dark clouds are hiding clear water of life, hopefully with the help of our forefather, the hard ground will once again be softened.
Makuer: According to my knowledge of the sky and the clouds, this night will never pass without some few drops, don’t you see how those cottons of clouds appear and disappear?
Aluenge: Yes father of Majak, I saw them chasing one another into the giant arm of the creator.
Makuer: You are right woman of my father’s cow.
Aluenge: Can I provide you with a stool?
Makuer: No, Iam going to see my friend Juraliaap who have just arrived from Juba.
Aluenge: Ooh! Father of Mabor, I heard that he came back with a new wife who cannot speak our tongue.
Makuer: That is not women business; we men are jungle hunters who can bring home any type of bush meats.
Aluenge: But not all the bush meat that can be eaten.
Makuer: Where is my boy Lonheboch? Called him.
Aluenge: Majak eh lonh (she called her son)
Majak eh lonh: Yes Mama
Aluenge: Come here your father is looking for you.
Majak eh lonh: Ok Mama.
Makuer: Lonh eh boch come and escort me to the house of Lonhaliaap
(The boy came)
SCENE 2
Makuer and his son Majak arrived at the house of Lonhaliaap and found villagers who have gathered to welcome and greet Lonhaliaap.
Makuer: We have been saying; our bloods will never disappear into the unknown river of the far land.
Lonhaliaap our forefathers took you to the far end of the land and have brought you back to smell the humble air around the place where your umbilical cord was buried.
(They hugged themselves as everyone watch with happiness)
Lonhaliaap: Makuer, son of Majakdit what happened why are you so aged?
Makuer: My cousin Lonaliaap are we not living dead? Almost every day we have to fight raiders and bandits.
Lonhaliaap: People must all stand up against such social evils.
Makuer: People have been pointing their fingers to where you came from; blames are on you the big boys.
Lonhaliaap: No; everything is hiding here near the bushes around you, chiefs and local people are more powerful than the big boys you talked of.
Makuer: Son of Mabor; I just came to greet and to welcome you to the land of your ancestors; this is my last born Lonh eh boch.
Lonhaliaap: He resemble you muorepoor.
Makuer: Indeed, this boy is wholly me.
(He left with his boy)
SCENE 3
Makuer after he had arrived at his home asked his wife about the farm tools, when he found out that one of the tool was missing he fought his wife in a fiery fighting that later involved the power of the village chief.
Makuer: Mother of Majak, have you put together the hoe, rake and Jembe.
Aluenge: Father of my children, I have got the hoe, rake but jembe was borrowed yesterday by wife of Bungeyar.
Makuer: Is this why I married you to come and carelessly give away my belongings.
(Moving with speed toward his wife, he slapped her hard on the face)
Aluenge: Mahoou, mahoou (she cried with pain as she fell down)
Makuer: That is what a deaf woman who doesn’t listen deserves.
Aluenge: Why do you treat me like a child; how can I isolate myself from my neighbors?
(Getting up with difficulties)
Makuer: What kind of wife are you, are you not a careless woman who cannot even stop a goat from eating her own dress.
Aluenge: I cannot manage this strange behaviour of selfishness.
(She got up and went straight to her brother in-laws house (Marial))
Marial: Mama Majak why are you here at this strange hour of the night.
Aluenge: It is baba Majak who have just fought me under unclear circumstances, he slapped me hard like an animal, I will not manage it again, tomorrow morning I have to take the case to the chief court.
Makuer: Alright, come with me and tomorrow we will look into the case.
(He led her back to her house)
SCENE 4
At the house of Makuer, his brother (Marial) and wife (Aluenge) arrived and found him going around his kraal.
Marial: My brother Makuer here I came with mother of Majak, she said you beat her under no cause.
Makuer: Haai! My little brother Marial, haven’t you studied this woman all the time she has been in our family, haven’t you spotted her carelessness.
Marial: It is ok, let her sleep peacefully in her house without any more quarrel and the rest of the grievances will be discussed tomorrow.
SCENE 5
The following morning Aluenge got up and went direct to the chief house and raised her complaint.
Aluenge: My chief, my husband has made me his beating stuff; Iam here to seek your interference and powers to summon him and look into our case.
Chief: Good, your case will be considered as per your request, I will shortly send my assistance to him and soon your case will be heard.
(She left for her house)
SCENE 6
Makuer, his wife and his brother Marial arrived at the chief house for case hearing.
Chief: I greeted you all children of Akechdit, Makuer I summoned you because of the case brought against you by your wife.
Aluenge: My chief, father of Majak has been very hostile to me for quite long; yesterday he beat me with total cruelty.
Chief: Makuer, what can you say about your wife complaint?
Makuer: No chief; this one here, this woman lacks manners, she has been stressing me all along, yes I beat her for being careless, I goodly beat notoriety out of her, horny women are good for beating this is another way of installing discipline into them.
Chief: Today is completely different from the previous, woman are human being just like men and for that reason they need to be respected and their dignity preserve, differences can be solved through dialogue and discussion and not through violent.
Marial: Yes Chief, I have noticed my mistake beating woman like a stray dog is totally inhuman, they are part of our human identity; humiliating them is not fair for the progress of humanity and development.
Chief: Now go back as family and embrace one another with peace and togetherness.
Makuer: Iam so sorry my chief, it was bad temper that forced me to hit mama Majak but from today onward I must judge before I act.
Chief: That sounds great you can now go and hold a small talk as a family.
(They all left the chief house with happiness)
Awuol Gabriel Arok, a Writer and a Poet, has a Bachelor Degree in Social and Developmental Studies from the University of Juba, South Sudan, he is a Columnist with The Dawn Newspaper under column “The Motivation Bell”. He is the author of unpublished book titled ‘‘The Wisdom Horn’’ , he contributes to Websites and Social Media platforms on Issues concerning Social, Economic and Politic s and through his peaceful and developmental campaigns such as ‘‘Your Tribe is My Tribe’’, ‘‘Giving Heart Foundation’’, “Wisdom Testament”, “Classic Leadership Forum”, “Grace the Women Foundation”, “PeaceNet Initiative” and “Award for Development”. He can be reached via his email Address:jjmkamzeearokson@yahoo.com
Makuer: My lovely wife, mother of Majak; Aluenge from the highest clan of Paduur, clouds of today seem to be telling us something important-yes they are promising rain.
Aluenge: Yes, father of Majak you are right those heavy dark clouds are hiding clear water of life, hopefully with the help of our forefather, the hard ground will once again be softened.
Makuer: According to my knowledge of the sky and the clouds, this night will never pass without some few drops, don’t you see how those cottons of clouds appear and disappear?
Aluenge: Yes father of Majak, I saw them chasing one another into the giant arm of the creator.
Makuer: You are right woman of my father’s cow.
Aluenge: Can I provide you with a stool?
Makuer: No, Iam going to see my friend Juraliaap who have just arrived from Juba.
Aluenge: Ooh! Father of Mabor, I heard that he came back with a new wife who cannot speak our tongue.
Makuer: That is not women business; we men are jungle hunters who can bring home any type of bush meats.
Aluenge: But not all the bush meat that can be eaten.
Makuer: Where is my boy Lonheboch? Called him.
Aluenge: Majak eh lonh (she called her son)
Majak eh lonh: Yes Mama
Aluenge: Come here your father is looking for you.
Majak eh lonh: Ok Mama.
Makuer: Lonh eh boch come and escort me to the house of Lonhaliaap
(The boy came)
SCENE 2
Makuer and his son Majak arrived at the house of Lonhaliaap and found villagers who have gathered to welcome and greet Lonhaliaap.
Makuer: We have been saying; our bloods will never disappear into the unknown river of the far land.
Lonhaliaap our forefathers took you to the far end of the land and have brought you back to smell the humble air around the place where your umbilical cord was buried.
(They hugged themselves as everyone watch with happiness)
Lonhaliaap: Makuer, son of Majakdit what happened why are you so aged?
Makuer: My cousin Lonaliaap are we not living dead? Almost every day we have to fight raiders and bandits.
Lonhaliaap: People must all stand up against such social evils.
Makuer: People have been pointing their fingers to where you came from; blames are on you the big boys.
Lonhaliaap: No; everything is hiding here near the bushes around you, chiefs and local people are more powerful than the big boys you talked of.
Makuer: Son of Mabor; I just came to greet and to welcome you to the land of your ancestors; this is my last born Lonh eh boch.
Lonhaliaap: He resemble you muorepoor.
Makuer: Indeed, this boy is wholly me.
(He left with his boy)
SCENE 3
Makuer after he had arrived at his home asked his wife about the farm tools, when he found out that one of the tool was missing he fought his wife in a fiery fighting that later involved the power of the village chief.
Makuer: Mother of Majak, have you put together the hoe, rake and Jembe.
Aluenge: Father of my children, I have got the hoe, rake but jembe was borrowed yesterday by wife of Bungeyar.
Makuer: Is this why I married you to come and carelessly give away my belongings.
(Moving with speed toward his wife, he slapped her hard on the face)
Aluenge: Mahoou, mahoou (she cried with pain as she fell down)
Makuer: That is what a deaf woman who doesn’t listen deserves.
Aluenge: Why do you treat me like a child; how can I isolate myself from my neighbors?
(Getting up with difficulties)
Makuer: What kind of wife are you, are you not a careless woman who cannot even stop a goat from eating her own dress.
Aluenge: I cannot manage this strange behaviour of selfishness.
(She got up and went straight to her brother in-laws house (Marial))
Marial: Mama Majak why are you here at this strange hour of the night.
Aluenge: It is baba Majak who have just fought me under unclear circumstances, he slapped me hard like an animal, I will not manage it again, tomorrow morning I have to take the case to the chief court.
Makuer: Alright, come with me and tomorrow we will look into the case.
(He led her back to her house)
SCENE 4
At the house of Makuer, his brother (Marial) and wife (Aluenge) arrived and found him going around his kraal.
Marial: My brother Makuer here I came with mother of Majak, she said you beat her under no cause.
Makuer: Haai! My little brother Marial, haven’t you studied this woman all the time she has been in our family, haven’t you spotted her carelessness.
Marial: It is ok, let her sleep peacefully in her house without any more quarrel and the rest of the grievances will be discussed tomorrow.
SCENE 5
The following morning Aluenge got up and went direct to the chief house and raised her complaint.
Aluenge: My chief, my husband has made me his beating stuff; Iam here to seek your interference and powers to summon him and look into our case.
Chief: Good, your case will be considered as per your request, I will shortly send my assistance to him and soon your case will be heard.
(She left for her house)
SCENE 6
Makuer, his wife and his brother Marial arrived at the chief house for case hearing.
Chief: I greeted you all children of Akechdit, Makuer I summoned you because of the case brought against you by your wife.
Aluenge: My chief, father of Majak has been very hostile to me for quite long; yesterday he beat me with total cruelty.
Chief: Makuer, what can you say about your wife complaint?
Makuer: No chief; this one here, this woman lacks manners, she has been stressing me all along, yes I beat her for being careless, I goodly beat notoriety out of her, horny women are good for beating this is another way of installing discipline into them.
Chief: Today is completely different from the previous, woman are human being just like men and for that reason they need to be respected and their dignity preserve, differences can be solved through dialogue and discussion and not through violent.
Marial: Yes Chief, I have noticed my mistake beating woman like a stray dog is totally inhuman, they are part of our human identity; humiliating them is not fair for the progress of humanity and development.
Chief: Now go back as family and embrace one another with peace and togetherness.
Makuer: Iam so sorry my chief, it was bad temper that forced me to hit mama Majak but from today onward I must judge before I act.
Chief: That sounds great you can now go and hold a small talk as a family.
(They all left the chief house with happiness)
Awuol Gabriel Arok, a Writer and a Poet, has a Bachelor Degree in Social and Developmental Studies from the University of Juba, South Sudan, he is a Columnist with The Dawn Newspaper under column “The Motivation Bell”. He is the author of unpublished book titled ‘‘The Wisdom Horn’’ , he contributes to Websites and Social Media platforms on Issues concerning Social, Economic and Politic s and through his peaceful and developmental campaigns such as ‘‘Your Tribe is My Tribe’’, ‘‘Giving Heart Foundation’’, “Wisdom Testament”, “Classic Leadership Forum”, “Grace the Women Foundation”, “PeaceNet Initiative” and “Award for Development”. He can be reached via his email Address:jjmkamzeearokson@yahoo.com
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