Skip to main content

Featured

Heavy responsibilities for elder aunt among the Logooli

With Seenge Fonesi. She is the elder grand daughter of Isagi and elder daughter of Amugasya. She is often present in functions involving the family of Amugasya. Pic taken on 18/4/2024. The elder sister soon becomes the elder aunt. It is this “seenge munene” (elder aunt) tag that she is tied to many cultural responsibilities – back home. To her marital family she may appear as any other woman, but she is not so in the eyes of her people. Marriage does not steal her away as it would happen with other daughters of the old man. To her, as days go and the old man and woman of the estate are dependents, she becomes increasingly present.  Her brothers also need her for almost all traditional markings. They are marrying, she needs to welcome the new wife. They are giving birth, she needs to come to midwife or “bless” the new born. They are paying dowry she needs to lead the women delegate. There is a conflict she needs to come for a hearing.  And many others. Traditions does not expect her to

NIGHTINGALE

Is that the sound of Nightingale?
It is nine in the night
And other birds are asleep

Has somebody demolished its nest?
For the sound is a cry

Has its partner divorced him?
It must be male Nightingale crying

What is the joy of such a cry
In a full moon night?

Or is it because of the moon?
Today it is full. It is its death day

Please stop dear Nightingale
For your cry
Or that sound I hear
Increases my loneliness
And salts my eyes.


Picture Source: www.independent.co.uk

Comments