As is our tradition, I left with my man. We went to his parents’ home, where all his family members were gathered. They were eagerly awaiting the ritual. It was the modern day, but the cherished traditional values of virginity were still strong in various parts of Africa. This blend of old customs and modern life created an atmosphere that was both fascinating and poignant.
The women in his family graciously accompanied me into the room. They came from all ages. They helped me prepare for the night of Pride. They prepared a sacred bath infused with herbs. Fragrances filled the air during the sacred bath. This experience left me feeling excited and somewhat foreign in my own skin. As I took my moment in the bathroom, they transformed the room into something enchanting. It was reminiscent of a scene from an Indian love film. The room was filled with vibrant colors and soft lighting. The ambiance was designed to evoke romance and beauty, and it certainly did.
Once I emerged, I was made to sit down and pampered like a delicate doll. Each woman took turns bestowing their care upon me, from fixing my hair to adjusting my attire. Dinner was set perfectly in the corner of the room. It was lit with flickering candles. A bottle of palm wine waited as a special treat. The wine was renowned for its rich flavor, often described as tasting like a delightful mix of various fruit juices.
As the preparations continued, everyone graciously excused themselves to give my man and me some private time together. My heart raced with anticipation as he finally made his entrance, dressed in a crisp white shirt and stylish trousers that resembled a sophisticated night dress. There was an elegance in his appearance that immediately drew my eyes and captured my heart.
I ate sparingly, feeling the weight of the moment as his gaze lingered on me with a hint of amusement. At that moment, I couldn’t help but wonder what thoughts were swirling through his mind. Was he just as nervous as I was, or was he filled with confidence in the significance of the night? The palm wine I savored tasted nothing short of pure heaven, its sweetness combined with the warmth of the moment made me relax somewhat, easing my anxious heart.
In that precious moment, surrounded by family and steeped in tradition, everything felt surreal yet profoundly significant. It was a night that blended the past with the present, where every glance, every sip of wine, and every heartbeat mattered. This was not just a personal milestone but a celebration of our cultures, values, and the delicate thread that connected us to our ancestry.