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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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What is in a name?

Juliet tells Romeo that a rose would smell as sweet without that name or with another. Him coming from the opponent Montague family does not make her see him less. Juliet has risen from the parable of the cave as Plato would put it. But is there something in a name?

One of a child’s first things to respond to is but the name. Young as pink, the child is softly whispered to by the name that as she grows she identifies herself with it. The same happens to puppies and cats for the fun of it.


She likes my name! She thinks there is something metaphysical about it. And so do I like hers too. But is that the reason she likes me? Probably not. She is amused at my courage as I am amused by her beauty. For courage and beauty may vary, the names the people carry tend to describe their kind of character and demeanour.

Those who find shame in their names – It is lately that I started considering my sir name as authentic- should be comforted by the fact that children do not chose names for themselves. It has happened to some that they apply to the registry for change but it has always come with great opposition. Ever somebody who had recessed advancement by name?

Yes. Those who live in the cave attach meanings to names. They all see shadows and not the reality. By your name you speak a different mother tongue and therefore you do not belong. For that matter you won’t be employed here because this community runs the show.  And because humans observe patterns and quickly generalize to find meaning, they have not been short of prejudice. Others nick-name you.

To be an African is more of a name than skin colour. To be a firstborn is more of a name too. If you are called the President then your stakes are much high at the roof. To be called a lover is nothing were it not for the warm bowels for the feeling. Names therefore got meanings to keep humanity biased, misunderstood, challenged and good of all to cut thoughts short. Man is a lazy thinker.

In an event and you introduced yourself to a crowd. Then the rest told you their names. I am a poor name keeper- in fact I do not remember your name lest I identify you with a certain memorable activity. How many times have you socialized with people whom you came to know their names later?

If there be a curious person to know your name, please drum in them your sir name (not those easy Christian names) that it confuses their reproach towards you. Do you think they would want to know your name for the good?

Nothing is in a name.

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