‘The blood inherited from the mother is the
signifier of the family’
If you need directions to a trotro (taxi)
rank, ask a woman. She will provide a direct and clear route forwards.
If you need guidance inside the trotro,;
considered and measured advice is conveyed on the skills of other
the driver,
other drivers and responsible behaviour for pedestrians and passengers.
Advice provided for surviving the Cape
Coast market, a hustling, bustling place of humidity and energy, is
authoritative. It is also somewhat aggressive and, at times, forced on one in
an overpowering and loud manner. This is merely a pretext for communicating –
woman to woman. No gossip allowed.
On a Sunday morning, women are beautifully
attired in traditional cloth and design. The local street filled with noise and
vigour, could be a modelling ramp of unique and colourful fashion, enriched by
the odd goat, who, in their purposeful way: “bleh, bleh”.
The stature of these women is of great
natural poise. Able to carry whatever is required on their heads as they walk
their journey with grace and strength.
Stern disciplinarians to all, from small
children to the itinerant drunkard. Purposefully making things happen – they
are the matriarchal link – the substance of what life is about.
They live their lives sometimes obscured,
waiting for this blaring world to clear for a new season of beginnings.
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