Posted on 02/01/2007 5:37:07 PM PST by planetearthling
ORANGO ISLAND, Guinea-Bissau (AP) -- He was 14 when the girl entered his grass-covered hut and placed a plate in front of him containing an ancient recipe.
Like all men on this African isle, Carvadju Jose Nananghe knew exactly what it meant. Refusing was not an option. His heart pounding, he lifted the steaming fish to his lips, agreeing in one bite to marry the girl.
"I had no feelings for her," said Nananghe, now 65. "Then when I ate this meal, it was like lightning. I wanted only her."
In this archipelago of 50 islands of pale blue water off the western rim of Africa, it's women, not men, who choose. They make their proposals public by offering their grooms-to-be a dish of distinctively prepared fish, marinated in red palm oil.
It's the equivalent of a man bending on one knee and offering a woman a diamond ring, except that in one of the world's matriarchal cultures, it's women that do the asking, and once they have, men are powerless to say no.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Note to travel agent: Do not vacation in ORANGO ISLAND, Guinea-Bissau .....
I'm with you on this one.
So...just like the USA, then? ;)
...or maybe...
I'm there!
hee hee
Isn't that how it REALLY works here in the USA, too?
Well, so as not to become a refusenik in the old USSR there was a basic technique: prior to trying to get out, one needed to convince the powers that be of one's complete worthlessness. If one was believed to be a valuable professional, the obstacles might [and would] appear. The same technique might be of use on Orango island as well, but it demands a conscientious and persistent application.
"I brought you some fish"
My fillet mignon has that same affect on guys. :)
LMAO.................oh just damn...........thank you for the best laugh I've had in days.............
Put a filet in front of me, darlin'.......and you'd better lock the doors and unplug the phones...........
lol!
;0D
thought they were talking about Dogpatch during Sadie Hawkins Day...
I can't imagine why you signed up if you just wanted to post this, but thanks for the laughs!
Golly, if only Faith Hill would come in to my tent and put a dish in front of me. I'll wait.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.