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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

Discordant Voices; Lung'afa's translation

RIUHANA RIE MIOYO JANGE

Mumbisu mwange, dada
Mburiraa riuhana rie mioyo

Murara guhanzuka vogeri na agirigari
Vujira kwitima!

Gundi gwu rusa rwu miandu
Ruyari nu rusuma, viayanzwa
Viavofwa mu rigotwa
Ritiga risura!

Iyi murara gwanira riehozeriza
Mirembe, vurara ne riyanzana
Vutahambwaa
Ni rienya rio vomenyo!

Dada, igo ki?
Agagirigari gange, agariha?
Mwoyo ki murungi?
Na muchamu guriha?

Nuyinga, muyanzi wange,
Murishiushiukanira rimanya
Nirigangamirira zimbemba
Kivara kuduka kikwigizi - Anzigare
Imbisu ye mioyo
Indio vandu vikaragira
Kazozo mioyo kwuhizana!

- Original poem by Chahilu

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