The Wedding, Chapter 6: The Konyoso

The Konyoso
For week after marriage, according to Malian tradition, Massi and Niang had to move (they moved across the courtyard, kicking Papye out of his own bedroom) and follow a strict series of rules. This was no honeymoon, especially not for Massi. Massi and Niang both had to dress completely in white for the entire week. But that was the only similarity in their requirements. Massi was confined to the bedroom, where she sat, uncomfortably idle, under a mosquito net. She wasn’t allowed to leave except to visit the bathroom, and at those times she had to be completely veiled. She had no radio, TV or books with her. After the first day, I found out she had visitors, so I would go in and talk to her, bringing her pain au chocolates or cold Cokes. She was on a special diet as well, provided by a Grand Dame or mananmugo, a woman hired by the family to cook food especially for the bride. She was given only seri (rice porridge) and chicken, weak food that was supposed to ensure her submissiveness.
Niang had to follow strict rules of the Konyoso as well, but the male version seemed like a more acceptable honeymoon. He was confined to his courtyard for the three days following the ceremony, but he had a constant stream of visitors. While Massi sat, bored and hot, inside all day, he would lounge in the courtyard, playing cards and sipping tea with a group of friends.