Busting stereotypes

THE English translation of Bahrain-based author Eskedar (Esky) Dubois’ book has hit the shelves and tackles the stigma and stereotypes associated with being married to a ‘white man’.

The 136-page creation entitled White Man’s Wife is based on the personal experience of the Ethiopian-French author and happily married mother of two.

In it, she talks about her journey as a ‘yeferenji mist’ - a term with negative connotations that refers to Ethiopian women married to foreign men.

In addition to sharing her own story, Esky has also showcased the significant experiences of other Ethiopian men and women of mixed-race marriages.

Through the book, the writer attempts to redefine the term by removing what she considers to be false and harmful beliefs that do not apply to her and many others, and expresses her pride in her choices, while also embracing her cultural identity.

“We have this misconception that if you are with a foreigner, it’s because you want something from him, not because you love him, which makes you feel like you need to justify your marriage, because love is never considered to be in the picture,” the creative talent told GulfWeekly.

“For instance, if you go to a hotel, and you want to stay with your husband or children, automatically, if you are with a white man, they will double the price, why? Because he is a foreigner,” she added, recalling a story in the book.

Since the launch, many couples have reached out to her, resonating with her experiences. Esky hopes that the book will continue to speak to those who could relate to her stories, and has plans to bring more perspectives to light, either with another book or a documentary.

“I have been meeting couples of different nationalities who have read my book, and they would tell me their own stories that are completely different than mine, we are still meeting halfway with the stigma and discrimination, but the experience will change from one couple to another, and so I’m hoping to be their voice and to deliver their stories, maybe through a documentary,” she noted.

Edited by Bahrain This Month’s Deputy Editor Kristian Harrison with a foreword by BTM publisher George Middleton and translated by Esky herself, the original Amharic version of White Man’s Wife - Yeferenji Mist - was unveiled last year and is her third release in the language and her first translated to English.

For more details, follow @esky_girmay_dubois on Instagram.