Summary

In “They Sold My Sister” by Leteipa Ole Sunkuli, when Naliki is 10 years old, her sister Nyamalo is sold into marriage to another family. Naliki witnesses the marriage negotiations: the family of the groom gives her family blankets, beer, cattle, and money in exchange for Nyamalo, who does not know anything about it because she is at boarding school.

When Naliki’s father sends her brother Tumuka to fetch Nyamalo, the boy refuses saying that his sister is too young to marry and needs to finish the secondary school. The father does not agree and goes after his daughter. Although Nyamalo cries and refuses the marriage, the wedding rituals still take place. The girl wears a traditional Maasai bridal dress and follows her new family to their house, ...