The diary of a soon to be slave

My name is A'isha, it means alive or one who lives. When I was born, I almost died. When I managed to hold on and grew up to be quite strong, so my mom decided I needed a name to symbolize my miracle life. So I became A'isha. But that is not important. I decided that my life, as fragile as it is, needed purpose. I hope whoever reads this can understand my life, and how my people lived.

 See I live in a small town. Our people had once been a well-respected town, but recently it has begun to decline. As our size declines, our fear of being held captive is growing.  We used to hold markets filled with all sorts of goods, but lately the next town over has been doing better. As they grow bigger, our people head over there to avoid any changes. But the more people that leave, the harder it becomes for the ones, like my family, who don’t wish to abandon our homes.

Things here may seem complex, or simple to whomever is reading this, but it’s how things work here. Our sense of identity is determined by our membership in an extended family.  The basic level, the extended family, is made up of our parents, children, grandparents, and other dependent family members. We live in smaller round dwellings that are rather comfortable. They are mad of packed mud, and thatched roofs. It’s hard work to make our homes, but it symbolizes family and is worth the strain.

Then we have linage groups, basically it means family can claim to be descendants of a real or legendary common ancestor. It really isn’t too complex to understand, but then again, I grew up with it. We all take care of each other in our lineage groups.

Women are outranked by men, as are most of the places my father has traveled to. In our town, we are valued for our working abilities, and our role in having children. We often end up helping the men out by working the fields, so they can tend cattle and hunt. We don’t mind, but it is tough. I heard in some communities, women can be merchants. It would be amazing to have such an important role in my town, but it is not possible here. Women do have something unique here. All of our linage is based on our mother’s not our fathers. I heard my father calls it Matrilineal. I’m not sure what it means, but I guess it goes with it.

In our town, both boys and girls are taught by their mothers until we reach the age of six. Our mom’s teach us language, family history, and songs to give meanings to our lives. When we hit the age of six, we are separated. Girls go to the house of the women, while boys go to the house of the men. Father’s than teach the boys what they need to know. Meanwhile us girls learn what need to from our mothers.

 Slavery is normal for our region. People who have done wrong, captives, and more become slaves. It’s what our village in particular fears the most. There are some kind owners, but most aren’t very nice. Occasionally instead of slaves, you can become trusted servants, but it’s so rare, I’ve only heard of it once and I can count about sixteen years in my life. It’s harder for slaves who work on farms. I can only hope our fears never become reality,

Our village has an odd religion. Most people here believe our chief god sent his son, Oduduwa,  down from Heaven to Earth in a canoe to create the first humans. Many practice it, but my family is mixed. Since my father is a merchant and travels, he has learned about a religion called Islamic. It seems a little more believable to me, but I don’t dare say that to my parents or let it leave and get around the village.

 I must go! There are people from the southern village coming to take captives. Some kind people sent a messenger and there isn’t much time. My family and I must flee. I can only hope someone will find this…