Zawadi Women Analysis

“Basically, Zawadi mistrusted men as husbands, not as lovers, or even platonic friends. She loathed being taken for granted, which, she said, was how black men behaved, no matter where in the world they lived, the USA, Africa, the West Indies, men who considered women their rightful property. - Duniya said with feeling, “What an amazing woman, this Zawadi.” - “She is a gift. You should meet her.” - They fell silent, both thinking that Zawadi and Duniya would get along splendidly. (146-147)

Through this chapter, we learn that Duniya has changed a great deal since the beginning of the book, converting herself in a more liberal woman. Thus, I dare to say that as in a Bildungsroman, she developed throughout the novel into a new person, more critique

Bosaaso liked it a great deal, her children approved of it too, but were they the only ones who mattered? Obviously not. For some of her colleagues at work had commented on it adversely. She herself had often described a woman’s bare head as being narcissistic, and requiring the use of mirrors and similar modern gadgets. She might never have taken notice of these emaciated hairs if she had been wearing her hair hidden in the prudence of an Islamic tradition which instructs women to cover their hair with scarves of modesty.” (152)

Bosaaso and Duniya engage in a conversation about how Kaahin treats women. He starts using a wrong word to depict a sexist behaviour, which Duniya fights over to know if Bosaaso thought the same way, as a misogynist. Resulting in that both share the same perspective, the respect to each other is bigger than

“People say that I’m after his money.” “Doesn’t that worry you?” The proof she is not after his money lies on the following statement: “I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but what has Bosaaso got that you could be after by way of money, a Green Card or property? I doubt very much if his income is higher than Uncle Abshir’s, who’s prepared to give you all you need, and foot all our educational bills anywhere in the world.” (169). Nasiiba, as her brother, is not the stereotype of Somali woman one could think of. She once cites: “Who wants to marry anyway?”