If You Thought The Men At Reggae Events Are Ratchet, What About The Women?

Yesterday, we spoke about my experience in a reggae themed night at one of the clubs in town: Scratch. And the focus was on the ratchet lads and dubious men who patronize such events. But we didn’t delve into the ladies -no! There are no ladies at these events, the women at these reggae themed nights.

The lads are ratchet but if the lads are ratchet, what does that make the women? Afterall, “Mwanamke ni standards!”

First off, I was informed that it depends on the club you go to for your dose of reggae. I was at Scratch with a lady named Lilly. There were no women I would call aesthetically gifted. They looked… In a word… Masculine. I believe the term to describe such women is Mancy?

Anyway, there were the ratchet girls with stockings on their heads and fool’s gold teeth in their mouths. The type to fist bump you or as they call it “Gotta” you as your opening to hit on them… I fled!
And my oh my, what is it with this particular lass that makes them pat a brother’s pocket? We weren’t even balling, we only bought a bottle of Gin but from the ladies reaction… They kept coming through and patting either mine, my cousin or my brother’s pockets. I was aghast!

Then there were the more mature women in attendance who were matronly and were there to enjoy their hard earned money. I had no problem with this lot. They were either there in groups or with their men and apart from the running dance there would just dance in their seats.

Then there are foreign hippy reggae loving types who are with local men. You know the type, look scruffy and like flower power is still in vogue and they spot all the bills their companions accrue in the name of having a good time and getting down to some irie Bob Marley jams… Quaint.
These are just some of the contradictions you will find at any reggae themed night in one of Nairobi’s most happening spots.