How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
[T]he King of Barra himself, who ruled this part of The Gambia, personally presented a choice virgin for the young holy man's first wife (5.9)
The fact that Kairaba is rewarded for his service to Juffure with "a choice virgin" tells us a thing or two about the gender dynamics around these parts. Still, as we'll learn over the course of this section, the reality of the situation is more complicated than it seems at first glance.
Quote #2
Old Nyo Boto pleased every woman in the village with her noisy defiance of the ancient tradition that decreed women should always show men the utmost of respect (11.6)
This is one of the many reasons why Nyo Boto is our fave—she doesn't give a flying fish how men expect women to act. She'll give them a piece of her mind whether they want it or not. Ultimately, it's this fearlessness that makes Kunta so shocked that Nyo Boto is an enslaved woman.
Quote #3
Kunta's kafo [...] began to leave the jujuo each night [...] to [...] steal [...] couscous, dried meats, and millet [...] "to prove yourselves smarter than all women, even your mother." (25.10)
This is one of our favorite moments in the novel, especially because all of the mothers are well aware of their sons' heists and laugh about them with one another. This is great on a symbolic level, because it shows that women still hold power in Mandinka society, even if on the surface it seems like they don't.