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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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From the craddle, to the world and back

With Professor Mwanzi and his beautiful blue gem 
Kenyan map is basically a Maa zone, 1800s. The Maasai played a major role in the amalgamation and also dispersal of clans/tribes. And also in informing the chronicles of white man, pre-independent Kenya. The philosophy behind the growth and growth of maa was mainly out of their lifestyle. To roam the vastness, meeting new incoming communities. Attacking and enrolling collaborators. Having a ceremony to initiate new members to their tribe - as the Tiriki did, to be counted one among.

Identities were fluid. Changing over time. And fast. Often new people did not want to remain distinct in fear of stigmatisation. To pride in your origins would be equal to self betrayal. There would be consequences. Stories Down River Nile.

Down River Nile is a later story, Up River Nile an earlier story, 250,000 years ago. The craddle of ManKind is in East Africa. Where over time he was civilized enough to step out for adventure and conquering. Up the great river he went. To Arabia, to India, To America, later to Europe. The African Gold Age. And the world celebrated the Black Man, of good character and disposition. Contributing Cuneiform and Hieroglyrlphics to the world. And a system of education such that it applies to date. Greeks can tell.

Then came the Persians. To their own way. The sword and such. Tribulations. Tracing roots, coming home. Then came King James Version of the Bible. Racism. Then colonization and sadly, the modern economical and political standoff in African nations and African states fuelled by China and the West. Ideas against this can turn Africa back to greatness.

Africa, and so East Africa, is capable of providing for its own, people living freely, with pride. As communities of old, in the vast grasslands.

Pic; Historian Prof. Mwanzi and his relic car. With Lung'afa.

With Thanks
saniaga.org
saniaga.blogspot.com
info.saniaga@gmail.com
facebook.com/saniaga.org 

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