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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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Izava Walk : Trees of Maragoli

A man fences his farm till the last pole keeps dates with Izava. Had the water been clear the pole would dance to its shadow alongside trees. Another whose land crossed Izava had barbed wire almost over Izava! People like me badly trespassed and there were girls who told me - hakuna njia.

It was all wet and springs were fertile heading to Jerisi, Wamutange and Waerisi. Vidundu grew in many competition. An old woman collected some for firewood. Ahead, a man weeded zimbande. We started.

'Vasaniaga vadeka yinu varura!' He was saying. Mutembe was the tree which if you denied a deed, justified you. You'd be asked by an elder to throw an arrow head to it. A clever assaulter refused. Risazi healed kiguku, a back swell and if you carried medication from a priest, its leaves were the appropriate place to carry in.

Musasa, mudondo, kekembiakembia, engoi, kigadashi, kemenenwa, indavati, rukuri, musunzu, mwanzu, keteng'o, ruvinu, l'liambiri, kikambi, rogohe, risuza, ritagaro, kinavodotwa, kevove, kegomorio, mtere, musengeri, kegoyogoyo, rifaranza, kisivu, rivuvu, kekerokero, kisavuni, rivono, kidandawiri, isambakaru, kisugi, kitiezo, kidunda, gavurudi, kitiezo, masai, mukuviza nyingu, rineke, imbwa, ikavembe, mnangoko, risivi, kaseveve, kigaka, kirunga munyu, musasa gwu mmuritu, rikambi, muruliza, kizana, kemenenwa mburi, rweywe and all their uses!

He said the small stream that separated him from Wamadoya was from Wal'lego spring. And Hakijitu lay after Vuyiya-Elwunza bridge where gold diggers perished. Nine died. It was good meeting him.

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