Nisa's Story

While reading about Nisa's story in the document section, I was struck at the similarities between her lifestyle and the lifestyles of many women today. Before reading her story, I assumed Nisa's opinions and personality would be very different from mine and other women living in the 21st century. I came to find though, that as a growing woman, Nisa experiences with love and lost are extremely relatable. On account of living in a small community or living her "life in the bush",  Nisa's family taught her the importance of giving all that she could to anyone who needed it. She was happiest when she received food and unhappy when people were stingy. Nisa's hate for stinginess especially came to light with her numerous lovers. As Nisa states, "One man can give you very little. One man only gives you one kind of food to eat. But when you have lovers, one brings you something and another brings you something else" (49). I found this very interesting. When a girl is not happy with a man, they leave them and move on. However, I always felt that this this type of feminist outlook developed during more modern times. I assumed because she did live in a secluded environment, that wives would stay with husbands no matter what they did. I highly respect her decision because it was one that benefited her and not done for the pleasure of her husbands. Her first marriage to her husband Tashay was an arranged marriage, but it was not one that was filled with strife. The marriage was full of love and respect for the other. When she lost her husband, her view on losing the people she loves is full of raw emotion. She states, "The death of your parents, husband, or children-they are equal in the amount of pain you feel when you lose them. But when they all die, you really feel the pain. There is no one to take care of you; you are completely alone" (49). Overall, Nisa's views on life are very modern, considering that she lived in a quiet atmosphere with not many people.  She is a independent thinker and a strong woman whose experiences with the San People should be admired.