Chapter 8

Moving into China's home is not an easy transition. Her first day is full of ritual as she is initiated into the family. In one particular ritual, the clan renames her, as "it was the custom to leave all the things of one's girlhood behind, including the name" (94). China's clan names her Nohehake, a name indicating an "exclamation of utter surprise at some incredible, unimaginable monstrosity" (94). Although she considers this name to be a "mockery," she takes the cup of tea that designates that she accepts the name they have given her. She is surprised, however, when the clan decides to rename her son as well. They reject the name Hluemlo, and decide to call the child Mxolisi: "he, who would bring peace" (96). Mandisa spends the next year doing chores for the family and earning her place in the home. As is tradition, she takes on the role of a second-class citizen in the home and is made to wait on her in-laws hand and foot while also raising her son. Her relationship with China never overcomes the shock of Mxolisi's birth and his resentment of his new life as a husband and father grow. Eventually, he abandons the family. Mandisa is forced to get a job working as a chore girl at a white person's home. Mxolisi is two years old when Mandisa decides to move out of his home and into a room of her own.