“Erh-wlatee Oh”: Happy Birthday to My Wife!

By Rabbi Gbaba, Sr., Ed. D.

Princess Ariminta Gbaba, B.A., M. S. The Papay’s own “This-That”! He will wait for your! “Erh-wlatee oh!”

Introduction

One of my legacies as a renowned Liberian playwright is that I am connected to all Liberians. I have relatives from every ethnic group in and I was given a traditional name from each ethnic group by my relatives across Liberia. For instance, my Americo-Liberian relatives call me “Bob Joe”; and my Cape Palmas or Grebo relatives refer to me as “Baby VAT”. My Nimba relatives call me “Saye-Tomah” and my Kru “Barbees” call me “Garteh”!

The Liberian “Germans” and “Jews” () call me “Gardey” and my call me “Gardea”. As for my Kpelle Brothers and Sisters they either call me “Kpaikpan” or “Koyon” depending on “what’s sor what!”

1 My Vai relatives call me “Manjah Kiazolu” and my Gola people call me “Boimah”. My Mandingo relatives call me “Kamara” and my call me “Salifu”. As for my , forget it! They call me “Tamba”. Then my own Belleh “Doe-dees” call me “Sumo” and my Mende relatives call me “Koroma”. My Sarpo ancestors call me “Soboo” and my Deiweion family members call me “Blo-bah” So, if I say: “Erh-wlatee oh” when celebrating my wife’s twelfth birthday and speak my native Kru language, will the “Old Ma” beat me because I non know book? “Erh-wlatee oh!”

A Piece of Mongers to Get Your Day Started!

For those of you who enjoy the wisdom I share with you, here is the secret about finding a ‘good wife.’ Of course, this is a piece of juicy monger to get your day started; so don’t take me to Judge Jallah’s court because I don’t have red shoes to go to court, bra! But please be mindful that it is not the amount of “green notes” you have in your wallet that gets you a ‘good woman’. Rather, you have to get on bended knees and ask the Lord to give you a good wife. In addition, you must believe your prayer will be answered in order for it to happen.

In addition it is not your looks (the “Afro” or your “10 inches or third leg”) that will give you a faithful wife but the love you have in your heart. Also, it is not the material things you own that will enthuse that ‘fine thing’ you want to “chip” to stay with you; but rather, it is the “leh-lo” you lay on her that will “make her hay big” in order to understand that you are not a “Johnny Just Come” but a “Garang” on the block! Erh- wlatee oh!”

When You Marry, Marry and Let People Say “Yes”!

Look at pekin capturing his little Americo-Liberian beat! You abah him!

My dear sons and nephews, when you marry, marry and let people see your sweet heart and say: “Yes, the papay or the pekin got a fine thing”! Make your ma proud and make your pa proud of the woman you bring in their home! Don’t pick, pick, and pick until you bring a “bukoo woman to town” that won’t give you clean drinking water to drink when you are thirsty. Don’t pick and pick until you bring a “wor-wor” woman that will make you sleep in darkness without electricity. Don’t pick and pick until you bring a

2 “Try-kpa-lee” to town that cannot boil a pot of water without burning the pot when you are hungry! When you do, your life will be miserable to the end. Erh-wlatee oh!”

Therefore, when you marry, marry a ‘cute little thing’ that when you look at her, your “business” will be vexed twenty-four-seven! Ooops! “Erh-wlatee oh!”

When you marry, marry a ‘cute little thing’ not only for her beauty but for her good ways so that you both might have cute children and not children that are as ugly and bitter as “jologbo”! “Erh-wlatee oh!”

Princess Ariminta sandwiched by her Hubby and children. Happy Birthday, Honey!

Also, be mindful of your in-laws because in our rich traditional culture, your in- laws are always right! They are the ones who gave you the ‘fine thing’ you would not have had the privilege to get if your wife’s family (parents and relatives) had not trained her to be the wife that she is to you. So, salute your in-laws wherever and whenever you meet them. Why? Because the old folks say: “If you love your life, love your wife”! “Erh-wlatee oh!”

Know the Side of Your Bread That Is Buttered!

Friends, ladies and gentlemen, the old folks say: “Before good food wastes, let belly burst!” So, learn to acknowledge the side of your bread that is buttered. Love the one you are with if you cannot be with the one that you love.

Respect and love your wife forever and do not permit the “koo-too-koos” or “try- kpalees” out there that are quick to ‘give it up’ to ruin your happy marriage. Remember

3 the “con girls” will be on their way to their next “gbehrie” or victim to dig gold after they drain your pocket! “Erhwlatee oh!”

Happy Birthday to My Sweetheart and Comforter!

So, on this beautiful day of June 22, 2012, I want to praise God Almighty for my wife and to say “Happy Birthday” to my Sweetheart, my “Comforter in the winter” and my “Air Conditioner” in the summer. And, above all, I want to say “Thank you” to members of the Porte and Clarke families because they are the Best In-Laws in the world!

Happy Birthday, Honey and may God’s bountiful blessings be cast upon you and me all the days of our lives! “Erh-wlatee oh!” Where my Guinness Stout airh! Let me do something before something do me! (Laugh!)

Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., Ed. D. June 22, 2012

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