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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
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Waiting for the Rain

As we wait for the heavens to open up there are a number of on-goings that should not miss my nosy attention. There are people who are attentive to all news relating to  rain and its mystics that they can feel it on their roofs and in the moving wind. Personally each evening before bed I smell the natures' perfume of rained on soil. It is in my head...and as others look at the sky and speculate, so do I join that the heavens are pregnant and soon, soon...

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Unlike the normality in weather patterns in the villages and cities, the media in amplification to science has been revolving around the occurrence of  an El-Nino. This has made the sons of soil change the topic from politics to nature. Or they now discuss nature in political monotones of how much has been spared for the expected disaster and what happens to it if the magnitude is below expectation? Some wish for devastating effects that the money is completely used that in future an inquiry commission to follow up on the money is not formed. 

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh... increased rain drops on the roof.

As farmers in semi-arid areas take roles in requesting bull services, they are stocking fertilizer among other implements. Ukambani expects rains late in November and to the area El-Nino may not be different from the fracas caused by one-year long waited rain. It has played hide and seek before.The vast ditches that lie dry with sand and shrubs will see water rummage through.The Mud.

Funny not, the maize roaster prays for more traffic jam so that his sales increase. Jumpers and umbrelas will soon be everywhere expensively. Business men will increase. Car trollers will be crossing fingures for engines to be quietened by water. The crisis is being hoped for and gods are not in a position to strike the opportunists. Care and love is left to half-hearted charity organizations. News of pain and lose will be featured like any other political news.

Kupu! Kupu! Kupu! Kupu! Earth swallowing water.

Cities that do well with a slight shower, not ready for heavy drops are now tense. Poor structural developments and disrespect to nature will see some pay heavily- and death may be one. To build near a river, have an open sewer flow near the house, lack a water directing channel, presence of poor slum roofs and flooded roads will spoil the taste of life. Diseases(rain water is not safe) will be at our doors, roads inaccessible, prizes hiked and the weather gloomy- so ineffective to those who derive strength from weather.

If the weather is gloomy, I become gloomy. 

Each morning with a look on the sky, the clouds indicate heavy rain. However the rate they dissipate strangely suggest a may-may-not deal. The tools may not predict the exact time and rate of happening for they do not operate from no-evidence situation. Like us, they 'sense' the clouds and suggest rain. Whether heavy rain descends or not, it would be better to be cautious. It din't come when the moon was full; it may come with the next crescent. On the other hand, it would be a dislike to the instruments if all this time we have been wasting time and talk. Or was it another conspiration? We no longer live in a trustworthy world.

Imagining how a grand mother sitting on a three-legged stool in Lodwar feel when she sees the vast grey-blue sky above her slowly being encroached by light to darkening clouds is what keeps the heart pumping. How does she really really feel? And who can understand?

Sunny and cloudy.

pic source; pamperings.com



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