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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 within Me

From within me, dear Dad
I hear voices; clear, tense and discordant
One shouting knowledge and facts at any cost
Without pity, hate or love!

Another craving the golden world
Of power and glory, a cherishable gift
Wrapped in the velvet veil
Of blissful ignorance!

Yet another yearning for peace immeasurable
Toleration, moderation and accommodation
Beyond us, 'all laud'
With the romance of sweet longing!

Dad, what means this?
Which one is my true voice?
Which one speaks truth?
Which one is false and demonic?

Idiot, my dearest,
If to school you hadn't rushed
And swallowed up all the half-truths
Nature might have taught you - Anzigale
The meaning of voices within
They are what we are
A curious mix of competing oddities!

- Poem by Bearnerd Chahilu. 

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