Travails of a Son-in-law.
For the love of one woman.
By Nyadzombe Nyampenza
Imperial and haughty would describe the overbearing mother and father-in-law in Jah Prayzah’s music video for the song Mkwasha. They give the son-in-law overwhelming demands. He takes everything in stride.
The video opens with a flamboyant but unschooled son-in-law being scolded for lack of manners. He is commanded to take off his hat, get down on bended knee, and clap his hands to show respect. Further, he is reminded to always address the in-laws by their totem. Before going far, he is warned that if he does not accept anything required of him, he should bring back their daughter. The son-in-law declares his commitment by relating how he has already gone to great lengths to please them. He passed by the dam and caught a bream for their consumption. From his beehive, he harvested pure honey for their pleasure.
The list of demands for the son-in-law is endless. He is required to buy seed for the planting season, and find labors to work the land. He should buy a cow, slaughter it, and skin it. The harvested bean crop must be thrashed, and the groundnuts pulled from the earth. Also, the father-in-law has a penchant for maDhorofiya. The slaving son–in-law must go into the wilderness in search for the wild fruit.
The son-in-law will be responsible for anything that goes amiss. It could be a stolen water tape, or beef trotters. When the father-in-law gets in the mood for a fight, they can take it out on mkwasha. The son in-law must take the fall even for an errant fart! Mkwasha is seen tilling the fields and sowing seed. He takes a go at an impossibly large tree trunk, under the supervision of the reckless, good-for-nothing brother-in-law.
The song takes a dig at exploitative in-laws. Through hyperbole and comic relief it critics the traditional role and status of the son-in-law. At the end mkwasha has fulfilled every impossible task presented to him. The wife's family is delighted. He returns to the city with his beautiful wife, leaving behind beaming smiles of approval.
It is an exasperating world of subservience to be a traditional son-in-law. James Chimombe famously sang ‘’Vakomana hukwasha hwakaipa.’’ Whilst Oliver Mtukudzi, overwhelmed with unrealistic demands rebelliously declares ‘’ Baba mandinyanya. Baba munoshusha’’. Once more with feeling, Jah Prayzah pleads, ‘’ Vanhu vese vati bvunzai mkwasha!’’
