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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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Maragoli Cultural Event - 26/12/2017

8.00am - There were no enough tents. A few old men had arrived. Women were sweeping dust when they'd have just hand-picked the leaves. The sun had risen of course.

9.00am - Volunteers take up the mantle. A few wanted pay. Sits are placed. The political podium is raised. A youth tells me that were it not for Politicians there would be no cultural event.

10.00am - A few people arrive. They start occupying the seats. A few artefacts are placed about, tables arriving late. The loud speakers sing so loud to draw confusion away.

11.00am - Vihiga County Governor arrives without much a do. He is escorted only by the Chairperson to the event and a few personal facebookers. He is considered a mean leader that he least gives out money. And he leaves no message to anyone (see me later, 'Cabinet Secretary X, take this contact'). He walks away, unceremoniously!

12.00pm - Musalia Mudavadi arrives and it's all claps -a few. He is asked to the sits first. Then he later walked around escorted by other leaders, on a less than 50metres stretch, a show of no passion or support for local cultural event. He seems passive to everything yet he is the Patron.

1.00pm - The speeches commence after some quickly solicited entertainment moments. The Chairperson takes few minutes, facing the seated nobles. And they head to politics of course. Lead by COTU sec Gen, Atwoli himself, of gold rings and chains, they ask people to avoid clanism. They speak of cultural diversity with cheeks in the tongue. A question is thrown to Mudavadi, 'Why are you latening the swearing in of Raila as the people's president?

2.00pm - Chants of 'Uhuru must go' rent the air when Eugene Wamalwa arrives. He is a minister in Uhuru government and people here are against Uhuru. It ends with rubber bullets. Everyone in a frenzy. Like a huricane swept about. It was a reaction by the security to stone throwing on Wamalwa's car as he left.

3.00pm - No one seems to listen to what is being said. Behind, a group of drummists play awesome music. They sing to Mudavadi, to women and to nothing -Alela lela lela, alelalelalelaa!

4.00pm - Walk aways, kids by the roads, crowded place. No one seems to be in the mood for anything. As quickly as possible, tents are brought down. Mbale is deserted. The cultural event is ended!

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