Reinscribing on the Female Body: Nuruddin Farah's Gifts

A Somali writer Nuruddin Farah is always concerned with women's issues. As a male feminist he represents the lives of women who have been oppressed and marginalized in Somalian history riddled with colonial domination, wars, poverty, and terror. Under the national condition which has to take aids from the first world countries, it is almost impossible for women to be independent. Gifts focuses on a woman character Duniya's transformation from an object to a subject dealing with on the issue of gift giving on a personal, national, and international dimensions. From the beginning her life has been decided by authoritative male figures, her father, husbands, and malc relatives in accordance with national and cultural concepts. In exchange for gifts of shelter, protection, and security she has to offer submission to those authoritative men. Accordingly her body is the very site in which oppressive cultural code are entailed. Through her experiences of two marriages, she gradually learns not to depend on men which is subversive to the traditional gender norms. Finally she can be equal in her relation with her lover Bosaaso when their gift giving is reciprocal. Their relationship on equal terms is based on true love. Duniya establishes autonomy through experiences relating to male figures. However, when Duniya decides to marry Bosasso, it is undeniable that there seems to be limit in her freedom since she will be under protection of a wealthy and powerful man.