With This Ring

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I call her Reena. Princess Reena. The first instant I saw her I gasped. Mother of pearl! That is adorable! She is the sweetest thing I’ve ever known. Every time I look at her, she just melts my insides. And I look at her more times than I say the word ‘dude’; glance at my smart phone in a boring meeting; and throw back the fringe of my Brazilian weave (Drop it Biko!) combined! There’s just something about her that keeps you glancing back at her. Like damn, she can’t be that beautiful, can she? But yes she can. And yes she is.

I met her at an Egyptian expo in Kisumu. My girlfriend and I were hunting for treats to show for it before the Pharaohs went back up the Nile. She was snuggled on a black cushion in a lilac carbon box. A most beautiful ring with a swirl of golden leaves alternated with three tiny indigo diamond(ish?) crystals curved to the motion, followed by a hexagon of violet diamond(ish?) crystals encasing a bigger, fancy, dark grayish-blue crystal centerpiece. She was magnificent! So enchanting and compelling that I pointed through the glass case right down to her and demanded: “I want her! I need her! I have to have her!” The stand owner muttered something, to which I immediately said “Totally, I’ll take it!” It wasn’t until my friend gasped “Girl, you twaizy!?” While cocking her head to the side to get a better view of the hole in my head that I realized I had just agreed to a ridiculous sum. Ok, this baby may have cost me an arm, but I got to tell you – she’s worth a head! (Not that one boys!)

I named her Reena. Princess Reena. She gives me the feel of springs and lilies and swans that glide to the rhythm of Antonio Vivaldi’s Spring Allegro. She is a princess. She is my princess. Ever since I’ve been wearing her all the girls want to pinch her cheeks and all the boys want to buy her a dress.

Oh Reena! Sweet, sweet Reena! I still can’t believe she’s mine, you know. She is truly a precious thing. I know you must be thinking I’m kind of a sicko for having such a maniacal attachment to a trinket. Believe me; I know exactly how I sound. Sometimes I catch myself staring dreamily at her and I think the exact same thing. And who knows, she might actually be turning me into a real-life Gollum. (Eek!) But I’m a firm believer in savoring every little piece of joy you can find in life when you find it. You never know how long you may have to wait until the next one comes around.  So let’s talk – Rings.

Wedding rings, engagement rings, promise rings, purity rings, mafia rings, beauty rings, statement rings… You got to try this people! It’s the simplest, easiest (and I’m tempted to say classiest) form of style that’s just unique and highly customizable. With choices ranging from sleek metals to pricey gems to pearls to beads to glass and even bone, there’s just no telling how varied you could go with rings.

Sometimes the smallest parts of an outfit can pack the most punch. Rings are intriguing in ways no other elements of fashion ever are. That’s because most rings, as well as the fingers you choose to wear them on, are usually laden with meaning. I can bet you my Reena (shudder) that if you walk into a bar with a fancy (non-wedding) ring on your finger, you won’t end the night without a pretty little miss thing brushing against your arm like a hungry kitten and stroking your finger with fascination, asking “Sa ii inamaanisha…?” For real, take me up on that one.

I won’t say much about commitment rings because well, those are rarely ever up to you. Here’s a fun fact though: Did you know that the finger you’re supposed to wear your wedding ring on is believed to be the only finger with a vein connected directly to your heart? – You’re welcome! Now, beauty rings generally, are considered formal. But you can still have fun with breezier boho pieces in your casual time to give your outfits a unique feel. If you want to spot a statement ring like a badass scorpion or a coily black mamba, your index finger is the place to put it, for ladies. For the men, go for the pinky. Always go for the pinky, it does something to the ladies, I’m not sure what exactly, but it always gets them.

You can also always wear more than one piece, if they’re well matched. One way to do this is to make sure you do not mix metals. Stick to a gradient, and also make sure they’re well balanced out. I like to stick to a max of two at a time myself, but sure, you go ahead and have a finger party; just keep in mind that the number of rings on your hand are inversely proportional to its utilitarian value.

Its best to avoid rings on the middle finger though, because it’s the main center of movement for the other fingers so you shouldn’t put so much strain on it. Also the middle finger has other connotations that we all know too well, so you might not want to draw attention to it; unless maybe you have a meeting with Biko and you happen to be wearing your kick-ass human hair weave. In which case by all means put on it your most ostentatious piece, and make sure you hold it up all the way to the venue.

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114 Comments
  1. Biko, any way you can highlight the name of the writer to not mistake it with your writing and start thinking you need a trip to the sanatorium?

    1. Being that Biko’s gay minutes were exhausted by the bear hug in Rwanda and the pretty boys of Bangcock, Thighland (pun intended), this piece had me worried for a couple of sentences…

      Yet it certainly is not him writing…

  2. Aki I couldn’t get myself to read past the second paragraph.maybe it’s just the mood I’m in today.Ill give it another shot later though..

        1. Same here. Felt like i have wasted 2 very precious minutes of my life. Kindly notify us Biko when it’s not you writing. Thank you in advance

    1. me neither….. will try on a Thursday…. First time that am
      unable to complete an article on this blog……….

  3. I loved this more than ur first article.BT I still think u need your own fashion blog website complete with adorable pics and your witty musings to complete it.you are a good writer.

  4. That is a well put piece of writing but Biko, why did you have to bring a horde of writers to write on weird topics? What next, real estate? I get a feeling somebody will throw in all the eloquence describing a toilet bowl.

    1. It’s commendable how you are offering a platform to upcoming writers. However, it would be ideal to put up a section/column hapo juu next to the contacts for guest writers so that we avoid this ka feeling, similar to the feeling you get when you go to a crowded nyama joint & after waiting like forever you see a waiter coming with tasty nyama and start smiling only to realize it’s going to the table. The gang is diverse, some will criticize a well written article on fashion just because they were looking forward to hear from your forehead.

      1. I agree that this is a very well written article that readers weren’t warned about in advance.
        It is sad when a beginner is compared to aseasoned writer. But it is the price we pay in life. It is inevitable, but good thing is that we can choose how we react to what people say about us

  5. What the hell happened there? Someone lost my ass in the first paragraph, couldn’t finish the second paragraph.
    For hell’s sake, what really happened?
    mzangila.com

  6. biko,had me worried there for a minute,talking about “head” and what not!…..kindly make sure you highlight her name,that said,excellent piece of writing but the write up needs abit more meat!!!!

  7. biko,had me worried there for a minute,talking about “head” and what not!…..kindly make sure you highlight her name,that said,excellent piece of writing but the write up needs more depth though

  8. Nice concept but you are still trying too hard to write well and be funny. Your first 2 paragraphs are not clear, they are confusing. But keep writing coz I’ll keep reading. Hope you’ve grown a nice, thick skin by now coz we’ll keep critiquing until, well, until you measure up.

  9. Painting a picture with a thousand words(or so) must be the aim here…I’m trying but I keep getting lost.

    Don’t pay attention to me though. You write well even though I can’t see.

  10. Aiii….this isn’t Biko…i enjoyed Chero more..and the girl who took us to TZ..and Joe Black definitely!This piece needs more spice

  11. Lady love, do you have your own blog on matters fashion? Because if you do, I want to follow it ASAP!
    I love how you can say soo much about a piece, coz God knows fashion blogs are stingy with witty stories such as yours.
    You got talent no doubt, I just feel like this is not the best platform for you. The gang up in here are like ball players in the locker room, no wonder they feel so lost.
    If you & Biko decide to carry on, we are gonna need more photos of course (goes without saying when you talk about fashion). All in all, I love your work and the things am feeling for Reena (If that’s her in the picture) wacha tu. Well, am a sucker for rings myself.

  12. Its hard to read a piece of work without a clear picture of the writer. Venture out on your own site, do a better job (as yourself this time ) and I’ll give you a shot.

  13. i very well enjoyed this one than the first, and I’m a fashion lover(and rings. I wear four of them at once,golden ones, two on each.)! I do think though that pictures are a must to fashion writing, and that this article, though really good, might be misplaced. Biko, do sthg for her because clearly the gang ain’t feeling it.

  14. I never made it to the second paragraph. If u made it here then I guess u are a good writer( I can’t write to save my life). Are u sure we are your target group?

    1. Good to know I’m not the only one who couldn’t finish. Clearly reading about fashion isn’t everyone’s cup of tea

  15. Maybe I do not understand fashion. Especially without pictures to give me a visual of different ways to wear it. It was an average read.

  16. I think I am not into reading about fashion. Biko next time just dont indicate that you are the writer just mention the real writer. I couldn’t finish reading it.

  17. Good progress..But i feel the read would feel better with some pictures to carry the audience to the end. Also, to help them understand better. Thumbs up!!

  18. Unless Biko Zulu has you under the cosh please take more time to beef up the article. In the words of Achebe ‘if you dont like my reading,write yours’. I think you have it…Fendi man assures me it is so…well done..

  19. I know someone who wears rings on his pinky finger. Yes! It does things… again, maybe it’s just him… I can’t imagine some type of men rocking a ring on their pinky finger. I wouldn’t dare look at them same way. This article is totally up there, with the best… I will dare say I enjoyed I enjoyed it more than Joe Black’s last piece. (Speaking of Joe Black, I think… ama I leave it at that?) This feature, I love love love. Keep up a good good job 🙂 🙂

  20. Being a jang’ i read the kisumu part as ‘kisumoo’ 😄😄
    Your writing is not bad. Love the way you describe the ring. keep on doing your thing. The gang will support you. owada. *French*

  21. EEiish Biko…A fashion blogger needs to say less
    and put up picks if its about rings lets see the
    collection.You honestly can not give fashion
    stories.We need to see the pics I would expect a gallery of rings .Well written but but i think
    Biko this one needs her own space otherwise all
    the negativity from the gang may demoralize her
    yet it is just the wrong audience.

  22. EEiish Biko…A fashion blogger needs to say less
    and put up picks if its about rings lets see the
    collection.You honestly can not give fashion
    stories.We need to see the pics I would expect a gallery of rings .Well written but but i think
    Biko this one needs her own space.

  23. I miss reading your work Biko. This was good though. Please check out my new blog https://danixkamau.wordpress.com/2015/10/27/wacuka/
    I just created it. Please feel comfortable to comment.
    Hope to interact with you more.

  24. Well Done. I enjoyed this article more than the first one. Well done.
    Please Gang, Stop Comparing her with Biko.It aint Fair. If you dont like it………………dont Be harsh.

  25. huh! would love to see sm1 try take a jab at real estate,
    but seriously though its like he be trying to make sure we don’t vote for him again…
    get them a platform we can redirect to read ’em or smt… not all them though, but its sad, sme of the gang are ruthlessly mean

  26. I have tried reading this twice, and still I could’nt get past the first two paragraphs….I mean, its that serious!

  27. i think this is better than the first but i want more pics from her articles. Biko, what happened to the foodie girl, hers was awesome

  28. This piece is definitely better than her first.I think thats the whole essence of Biko giving her the chance here;to hone and sharpen the skill.We cannot compare everyone with Biko.Every writer has their own unique voice. Lady writer,take the constructive criticisms,work on improving whatever they have pointed out.Ignore the naysayers.Lastly,read and re-read the positive comments,smile and move on to higher ground.Best of regards.

  29. I love this piece, however under no circumstance should any sane man put a ring on their pinky in my books it makes them look either cheap,player or maybe even mafia like !!!!

  30. Hey, I enjoyed the read, just get some thick skin to deal with some of the comments, and keep on..don’t get discouraged.

  31. I loved it, from the description I already have a pic of reena in my head .you go gal a pic next tym please. You gonna make me start wearing rings

  32. oh…i read,lostly,to the end,took me three quarter of the read to know what it was all bout,had me disturbed bout Chocolate….

  33. I honestly liked this piece. And I think you should keep writing coz you are actually a good writer. Don’t be discouraged by the critics, even the best in the game get a boo here and there…

    And BTW if you started a fashion blog… You will blow up because most Kenyan fashion blogs are so bleurgh!

  34. It would have been something, indeed a wonder, talking about say a kitten or a puppy in the manner the writer chose. A nice piece for a diferrnt forum though

  35. Give her time guys.
    writing is not easy. i think we do not need pics because here, words are the pictures. vivid imaginations, you don’t say eeh?

  36. I’m lost.
    Is this a weave wearing gentleman (And I look at her more times than I
    say the word ‘dude’; glance at my smart phone in a boring meeting; and throw back the fringe of my Brazilian weave) who starts sentences with conjnctions, or a lady with fondness for the ladies (My girlfriend and I were hunting for treats to show for it before the Pharaohs went back up the Nile.), who starts sentences with conjunctions?

  37. this was a well written piece. most definitely there can be improvements here and there as pointed out but all in all, well done ms.fashionista, nd keep going at it.
    #will it, win it

  38. This was an improvement from your first article,but I think the intro was a little disorganized…My two cents say you should just write directly and only about fashion,leave the witty intros to Biko and Joe Black

  39. gang…..i loved the intro…my take…n i’m looking at my fingers n picturing rings on them….nyc read fashionista 😉

  40. This is high school gang… and so we have a diverse array of teachers… the ones that we cant wait for their lessons to start and the ones that we cant wait for their lessons to end…
    For me it was a good read, and I just did change the finger that I wear my ‘nest with three eggs’ ring on… Good work Margaret Muiruri!

  41. Was hard reading this… Too much emotion on an inanimate thing (eew!!). Keep writing though. Someday it will be good..

  42. You have improved!! I love it!! Way better than the fur ish. Hakuna kuwekwa kwa ‘others’. Write. Read. Write. I will read.

  43. Hi Maggie
    Lovely piece btw. So, your attempt at being intimate and loving with the ring is jumbled up, confusing and all over the place. Maybe this points to your excitement but a reader could use a little direction and invite into your little ring world. After the introduction, the next logical part that I picked was at “So let’s talk rings”. Otherwise keep at it.