AMCHILINI, CHOOSE ME

By Kader ALLAMINE

As drought and desert encroachment destroy the harvest, an imam in a canton at the edge of a Chadian desert has accused unmarried women of causing the divine wrath that has struck the village. Village leaders have decided to organize the Amchilini, a traditional ceremony in which unmarried women must choose a husband. Older women go from village to village to count the number of people who are single, give them an understanding of the Amchilini, and persuade them to take part. However, many voices, particularly those of young girls, speak up against an activity they believe infringes on their dignity and freedom. These girls assert their rights to equality and autonomy with respect to men.