Twelve Camels For Your Wife
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Twelve Camels For Your Wife
Hello Everyone, CH seems a long time ago (I left in 1968). I now live in a traditional Turkish village about 90 minutes drive inland from Izmir. To celebrate my 49 year love affair with Turkey I have written a book called Twelve Camels For Your Wife....but before you scroll on (only joking)....you should know that in 5 days out of NINE MILLION books on Amazon it's now in the top few hundred. Check out the stats. If you want a sample chapter send me an e mail to gdearsley@aol.com. Stay safe and happy
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twelve-Camels- ... 920&sr=1-1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twelve-Camels- ... 920&sr=1-1
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- Button Grecian
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- Real Name: Katharine Dobson
- Location: Gwynedd
Re: Twelve Camels For Your Wife
Welcome George.
I left Hertford in 1965, in 69 I went to Northern Ghana as a VSO, but I don’t think I can have been as beautiful as the wife in your book title! A chief only offered Four Cows and Seven Goats for me. He had 16 wives and 42 children already, but I’d have become number one wife, or so he said. I’ve told that story many times in the intervening years.
I’ll send you an email.
I left Hertford in 1965, in 69 I went to Northern Ghana as a VSO, but I don’t think I can have been as beautiful as the wife in your book title! A chief only offered Four Cows and Seven Goats for me. He had 16 wives and 42 children already, but I’d have become number one wife, or so he said. I’ve told that story many times in the intervening years.
I’ll send you an email.
Katharine Dobson (Hills) 6.14, 1959 - 1965
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Re: Twelve Camels For Your Wife
I can understand that if he was Akan. (In English, Ashanti as in the war) We had a couple of their tribe in the office and the idea was to get them grossly overweight to appeal to a prospective husband who would know the father had plenty of cows etc. You must have been slim or even slimmer!
Other tribes had different ideas - you probably came across tribal markings (we were required to learn them) for example. On popular (very respectable and pleasant) lady, Elizabeth Sam, was so slim you could see the pencil behind her (almost both side). Ah, memories!!!
My wife tells that where she was brought up a wife was ten cows, a second hand wife five. I got her free (but she was Italian and not Zulu)
Last edited by sejintenej on Sat Apr 17, 2021 12:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
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- Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2005 10:44 pm
- Real Name: Katharine Dobson
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Re: Twelve Camels For Your Wife
At the time I was in the far north of the country, close to the border with Upper Volta, now Burkina Faso. The tribes there were vey fragmented and definitely not Akan.
As to tribal markings, I used to be able to recognise the local ones, they varied a lot in number and depth of cut.
As to tribal markings, I used to be able to recognise the local ones, they varied a lot in number and depth of cut.
Katharine Dobson (Hills) 6.14, 1959 - 1965
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Re: Twelve Camels For Your Wife
Katharine wrote: ↑Thu Apr 15, 2021 1:16 pm At the time I was in the far north of the country, close to the border with Upper Volta, now Burkina Faso. The tribes there were vey fragmented and definitely not Akan.
[\quote]
Yes, the border was porous. My steward was a Grunshie from just over the border in Cote d'Ivoire.
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
Re: Twelve Camels For Your Wife
In some parts of Nigeria, they actually have fattening schools for prospective brides, with copious amounts of food and all over body massages to iron out the cellulite...sejintenej wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 3:45 pmI can understand that if he was Akan. (In English, Ashanti as in the war) We had a couple of their tribe in the office and the idea was to get them grossly overweight to appeal to a prospective husband who would know the father had plenty of cows etc. You must have been slim or even slimmer!
Other tribes had different ideas - you probably came across tribal markings (we were required to learn them) for example. On popular (very respectable and pleasant) lady, Elizabeth Sam, was so slim you could see the pencil behind her (almost both side). Ah, memories!!!
My wife tells that where she was brought up a wife was ten cows, a second hand wife five. I got her free (but she was Italian and not Zulu)
Re: Twelve Camels For Your Wife
Just to update everyone...12 Camels has now sold 359+ copies and had 60+ excellent reviews on Amazon....read another reviews here....https://tinyurl.com/r3vnuczc[url]https: ... m/r3vnuczc[/url]
This is the Amazon site https://www.amazon.co.uk/product-review ... filter-bar
best wishes
George Dearsley
This is the Amazon site https://www.amazon.co.uk/product-review ... filter-bar
best wishes
George Dearsley
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- Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2005 10:44 pm
- Real Name: Katharine Dobson
- Location: Gwynedd
Re: Twelve Camels For Your Wife
I’ve just read George’s book and loved it. I’m sure others who have lived an expat life will love it, comparing it with their own experiences. I highly recommend it!
Katharine Dobson (Hills) 6.14, 1959 - 1965
Re: Twelve Camels For Your Wife
Just a quick update. My book has now sold 700 copies and has 75+ five star reviews on Amazon.....link here.....tinyurl.com/kktvp25p FREE CHAPTER here.....https://www.dropbox.com/s/9s47si84teh92 ... 3.pdf?dl=0