Posted by Israeli guy on April 17, 2001 at 04:40:51:
Hi everyone,
I'd like to write a story based on a true event (or actually a true way of life), you can read the inspiration from :
http://www.arts.uwaterloo.ca/ANTHRO/rwpark/WNB/FightingBacknottheWay.html
Seek the relevant bit by the key words : "that a newly widowed Bena Bena woman might ask " in that article (which is very intersting in other reguards). Send any comments to my mail, and please no more arguments, its just a story, no hidden messages or hidden agendas.
It was getting dark at the Bena Bena highland in New Guinea. Minka was looking at the setting sun symbolizing the end of her life. It was her choice, but not much of a choice.
Minka took a deep breath, one of her very last, and closed her eyes, gathering her streangth, as she knew she had to be resolved about it, or she will break in the middle.
She chose her tree carfuly to be suitible for her hanging, with a limb at the right height, and far, but not too far away from the vilage. She fixed a noose, and through the rope so it would dangle about one 2 feet over her head. Then she tied the end of the rope to the tree, close to the earth. She was fixated on the noose for a moment, sighed, and went.
Her brother's hat was not far away, but going there looked like forever. She found her brother relaxing in his place, and sat down quietly beside him.
"I will need your assistance", she said
"Does it have anything to do with you becoming a widow lately ?", he asked, knowing the answer. Under the law, Minka was to be inherited, given away like the object she was to another man. Since Minka was over 40 by now, he knew she had no mental strength to become another man's slave, thogh she was still beautiful and quite sexy.
"Yes", Minka said shortly. No more words needed do be said, and none were.
They both went to the awaiting gallows. The procedure was short and simple. Minka stepped over her brother's back, holding the noose with her hands. She stuck her head in it, and tightened it a bit, but just to make sure her head was in it, keeping it loose around her neck. The knot was kept behind her head.
Again she took a breath and closed her eyes, getting ready for what will come. A little kick in her brother's back was the signal, and her brother just got up and walked away. He didn't let his sister down. He didn't look back, but he will come back in two hours to cut down her swaying body from the tree.
Israeli guy.