“… an etiquette of decorum, protocol, polite manners and socially acceptable behaviour is performed in ways that echo the rituals of the Victorian parlour.” (Mc Millan. 2017) and the British colonies.

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The colonial legacy manifests through the aesthetics of the living room in a creolised way. The ‘bric-a-brac’ practice of the Victorians to collect curios is evident where objects of emotional attachment wedding invites, certificates, religious books, and souvenirs are curated. (Mc Millan. 2017)

 

Typically, living room walls are decorated with wallpaper which supports a frame; either of the Kaaba*, an image of Makkah or a well know Arabic verse from the Quraan. Coloured carpets match the draped curtains. Furniture includes ornate glass cabinets that display rarely used glass and dishware; plastic covered velvet upholstered three-piece lounge suites with lace throwbacks; coffee tables with tapered legs and sideboards which allow the display of trinkets.

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Sundays are days known for visiting and hosting. So make sure that you dress and invest in your living room as this will display your creative agency, respectability and your family’s status

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Anne McClintock (1994) points out, the institution of the home under colonialism was used to maintain hegemony over the division of domestic labour and the subordinate ‘Other’ in the colonies.

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A good homemaker always cleans the living room on a Saturday Morning. particularly the cabinet. There is always a specific cloth, sponge, bucket and soap, that is used. We don’t want to use the same sponge used for cleaning the kitchen counters, or the dishes and we don’t want to use the wrong soap, because using the wrong soap could be the cause of damage to your precious cabinet, and all that it contains.

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Note: The Domestic worker must always clean the living room cabinet under the supervision of the homemaker.

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16:30 pm

Enter:  Man

 

Takes key out of the box in the cabinet in the front room

 

Opens Front door

 

Enter: Guests through the Front door

(Symbolic ceremonial entrance with exaggerated decorative floral elements)

 

Enter: Homemaker

 

A man greets the guests and invited them inside

 

Man, ushers’ guests to be seated

 

Enter: Homemaker

 

Males and females sit on opposite sides of the rooms

 

All exchange pleasantries with one another

 

And chat for 10 minutes

 

Males continue with asking about the wellbeing of one another’s families

 

16:45

 

Homemaker stands and excuses herself

 

Exit: Homemaker

 

The female guest sits awkwardly

 

Faint noise can be heard from the kitchen