Summary
In correspondence with the Zongelese culture, a woman cannot divorce her husband unless there is a good reason to do so. Zulaikha wanted to divorce her arranged husband Rafique. Since Zulaikha was married at the tender age of 16, she had no idea what true love meant (Ali N. and Ali M., 2005). To her, the sexual attraction between her and their husband was an essential part of a marriage. Owing to her exposure to sexual activities at a tender age, Zulaikha developed a lust for sex. At one time in her marriage, she became less interested in sexual activities, thus, she thought that her love for Rafique had faded away. Rafique also grew hesitant to engage in making love to his wife. This convinces Zulaikha that they were not having a happy marriage and decided to divorce her husband.
To be granted a divorce by the authorities, Zulaikha went to the palace opening crying and yelling that her husband was a weak man. She announced that he was not able to make love to her and thus, they should divorce. The judge, who acted on behalf of the chief, ruled that Rafique would undergo a manhood test in a room in the palace (Ali N. and Ali M., 2005). The divorce was to be granted if Rafique failed the test. On the other hand, if her husband passed the test and did not want to grant her the divorce, their marriage would stand (Ali N. and Ali M., 2005). The manhood test was a very crucial event in the Zongelese society. The results of the test would either grant Rafique ultimate respect if he passed or shame if he failed.
On the day of the test, everyone in Kumasi village had heard of the event and was willing to know the results. This incident filled Rafique with fear as it would determine the course of his life onwards. His manhood would be put to the test by requiring him to make love to Zulaikha in the presence of an invigilator (Ali N. and Ali M., 2005). The appointed invigilator was an old woman, about 65 years old. When it was time for the test, Rafique met his wife in a room in the palace. Hundreds of villagers eagerly waited outside the room for the results as young men cheered for Rafique while women wished for Zulaikha’s success. However, Rafique decided to grant his wife’s wish by giving her a divorce without undergoing the test. Using this act, Rafique saved himself and Zulaikha from the shame that would befall if either of them failed the test.
The Womanhood Test
Zulaikha’s womanhood test did not gather much attention as Rafique’s manhood test. The Zongelese society imposed particular duties and expectations on men and women. Failure to accomplish the expectations led to them being condemned as lesser members of the community. In the Zongelese culture, a girl’s parents were supposed to arrange her marriage with a preferred suitor with her consent. The girl was required to follow her parents’ wish as this was a sign of a good woman. When Zulaikha was 16, her parents planned for her marriage as required by the Zongelese custom. She was expected to be responsible enough to take care of her husband and bear children (Ali N. and Ali M., 2005). To her parents’ shock, Zulaikha refused to marry her arranged husband as she insisted on marrying a man she was in love with.
A suitable husband was identified by their amount of wealth accumulated and fame. Zulaikha did not recognize this fact but rather believed in marrying the man she loved. She did not marry at the age that the fellow girls in the village are married off (Ali N. and Ali M., 2005). In addition, Zulaikha put her parents to shame by not choosing a husband that would bring them wealth, prosperity and a good reputation. After getting married to Rafique, Zulaikha did not make her husband happy as she failed to conceive (Ali N. and Ali M., 2005). Her craving for sexual pleasure increased uncontrollably, bringing shame to her parents. As her parents’ favorite daughter, Zulaikha failed to live up to their expectations. By doing this, Zulikha had failed her womanhood test.
Little attention was paid to Zulaikha’s failed womanhood test by the community. Zulaikha did not fight to keep her marriage, which is believed to be a wife’s role. Conversely, she failed terribly when her husband decided to grant her the divorce. All through her marriage experience, nothing much was said about her failures. She was perceived as a victim of circumstances as she was a woman. Through failure in the womanhood test, Zulaikha gains the divorce that she had been yearning for a long period. She also gained by being set free from the societal expectations of marital duties and womanhood. However, she brought shame to her parents, who wished their daughter would bring them wealth and a good reputation by marrying a socially established man. To Zulaikha, the benefits of her failure were more significant than the loss.
The Manhood and Womanhood Test in the American Culture
In the American culture, gender roles and expectations differentiate men from females. However, men are required to prove their manhood while females naturally gain their womanhood by existing. Womanhood is perceived as a developmental process that is gained biologically, while manhood is backed up by social proof. This has been a topic of concern among researchers of various academic disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and anthropology.
A man in the American culture was required to prove their manhood through their behavior. Manhood was viewed as a status that was difficult to acquire while it could be easily be lost through an exceptional act. Men were required to act courageously and perform difficult tasks and handle challenging situations to maintain their manhood. A good man is required to be hardworking, honest, a provider, and sacrifice for others. Different societies had set a performance bar for their men. Diverse women also have different expectations from a man, which proves their manhood. Unlike in the Zongelese culture, manhood in the American culture was not tested by one activity, but rather through a series of activities. A man was expected to handle challenging tasks that required extra physical strength. They were also expected to express emotional and mental stability in every situation. Men who had passed the manhood tests in the American culture gained respect and admiration from society.
Similar to the Zongelese culture, womanhood tests gained little or no attention from society. Womanhood was gained simply by growth and existence. A woman is expected to be treated gently and with care and dignity. An American woman expected others to meet her expectations and guided others to do so. There was no specific womanhood test and little attention was given to womanhood. While manhood is social status, womanhood is a biological phenomenon.
There is no manhood test in the American culture, rather, a man is required to prove his manhood through various challenges and situations faced in life. For example, a man was expected to respect people in society, especially women. Additionally, a man was required to ask a woman for marriage and not vice versa. It was believed that a man should be courageous to request a woman to date him after he has fallen in love with her. He was also expected to make the first move into marriage by politely asking a woman to be his wife. After marriage, a man was expected to fend for his family while paying their bills. A woman’s financial contribution in marriage is considered an added advantage as it is the man’s duty.
Glossary Entry
The Manhood Test
Works Cited
Aleichem S. (2016). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House. Web.
Ali, N., & Ali, M. (2005). The Prophet of Zongo Street: Stories. Harper Collins.
Longman (2021). Longman Dictionary. Pearson. Web.