The evening of the marriages had arrived. Many girls were preparing to become new wives, including Sisika, Chocheta’s sister.
“It will be our turn soon,” Chocheta said excitedly as she stood next to Angie waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Angie didn’t react to Chocheta’s excitement. Elsu’s words kept running through her mind and it upset her.
“You will marry Elsu next year, and I will marry Enyeto,” Chocheta smiled, “we will always be good friends, almost sisters.”
“Who told you I will marry Elsu?” Angie started to panic again.
“Elsu told Siwili. Siwili told Leotie,” Chocheta answered, “and Leotie told me you are promised.”
“No, I am not promised,” Angie assured Chocheta, “I have not agreed to marry Elsu.”
“If Elsu wants to marry you,” Chocheta said, “you will marry Elsu.”
Angie wanted to change the subject and asked, “When did Enyeto ask you to marry him?”
“He has not asked yet,” Chocheta confided, “but I know he will ask me soon.”
“I am happy for you,” Angie said and gave her friend a hug.
“And I am happy for you,” Chocheta smiled.
Angie wished she could share her happiness, but the feelings just weren’t there.
A group of men sitting around large drums started to play and sing in unison, along with men playing flutes that serenaded the spiritual leader as he led Dyami and Kimana to the center of the gathered crowd. The Holy Man performed a ceremonial washing of hands to wash away past evils and memories of past loves. Then the traditional poem was read:
O Morning Star! When you look down upon us, give us peace and refreshing sleep.
Great Spirit! Bless our children, friends, and visitors through a happy life.
May our trails lie straight and level before us. Let us live to be old.
We are all your children and ask these things with good hearts.
Dyami and Kimana then exchanged a piece of jewelry which was considered a shield against poverty and all types of evil.
The spiritual leader pulled hair from both Dyami and Kimana’s head and tied it together. The bound hair represented that they were bound together, to be true to their mate at all times, chaste in thought, and to always remember their marriage vows.
More songs were sung as the new couple departed the circle as husband and wife.
Angie thought Kimana looked beautiful in her white skinned dress decorated with all kinds of colorful beading and a band of beads placed gracefully on her head. Dyami looked proud of his new wife, and Kimana was excited to be the center of attention. Takhi’s absence was painfully obvious and Angie felt bad for her.
There were more marriages to follow, including Sisika’s vows with her new husband. And then the celebrations began, feasting and music and dancing which lasted all night. People were laughing and songs filled the air.
Angie was enjoying watching the dancing when Elsu walked up next to her.
“We shall soon be husband and wife as they are,” he said to Angie.
Angie turned to him and said, “Why do you want to marry me?”
“I am the son of a chief,” Elsu answered, “You are a chieftain’s daughter. It is a good match.”
“I am not a chieftain’s daughter,” Angie said ashamed of her deception. “I said that to impress my friends.”
“You let the tribe believe a lie?” Elsu grew angry. “A true Shoshone does not lie. I think all white men tell lies, and white women too!”
With that, Elsu stormed away. Angie felt a mixture of guilt and relief.
It’s over, Angie smiled to herself. Elsu will no longer want me. I’m free!
The rest of the night, Angie relaxed and enjoyed the festivities. She felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She felt lighter than air and wanted to yell out in joy.
Angie handed Kimana and Dyami her wedding gift, a beautiful basket she had made for Kimana. She noticed that Kimana glanced at the basket, looked disappointed, and set the basket aside. Angie knew Kimana was hoping for the colorful crocheted blanket, but Angie gave Kimana the best she could. Her blanket was out of the question.
As she laid herself down to sleep that night, her blanket brought her the usual comfort that Angie craved; the closeness of her mother, the closeness of her family from her past. The tighter she wrapped the blanket around her, the better she felt.
Thank you Lord, that I am free of Elsu. He is a good person, but I am not in love with him. Please bless Kimana and Dyami and help them to be good to each other. Give them many babies if that is what they want. Give them many days of happiness and may Kimana make wise choices.