X-FILES FROM THE VILLAGE - THE FERTILITY ROCK

Monday

There is a big rock in our area called "fertility rock". It is said that for people who are trying to find a baby, when they perform the required rituals, they are then taken to make love on that rock in broad daylight. Ritual has it that it works. 

That rock belongs to Wanda's family!

But now, Wanda Umuwalasi has converted to another
religion. Upto now smoke can be seen coming from the shrine that was burnt by the "church" that visited Wanda and converted him to their religion. Since then, the village has been experiencing strange things. The dogs have been wailing just like the way they do when they see a ghost. Last night, more than 3 owls were hooting all night. This is a sign of a looming disaster. Owls are announcers of bad news and this cannot be taken for granted. We therefore organized ourselves to chase the owls away by throwing burning pieces of wood toward them. Surprisingly, the owls would stop for few minutes and resume their haunting hoots. We tried until we gave up. 

Tuesday

Everyone concedes that Wanda has brought shame to his household and his clan at large. From when he allowed the church-people to burn down the home of the ancestors he has never come out of his house despite summons to the clan meeting. Today the last call was made to him or else the meeting will go on in his absence. Being head of the clan, Wanda is supposed to be the pillar and the person to hold the family together and carry the mantle to his elder son. 

He is the custodian of the sacred heritage of the family. Right now we can't know whether all these items were destroyed or not. Who else does not know the three-mouths pot that had been passed on to him from Nyeletsi to Washirekho, Wanda’s grandfather. 

Now we hear that the pot was broken.

Wednesday

Umukatsa, also called "village radio" for her perpetual gossip excitedly told us that the man who led the burning of the shrine has been struck by the ancestors "basambwa" and since he was rescued from the mob he has never been able to walk without support. He is said to be bedridden, "ali khushisyelo" as we call it. Shisyelo is derived from animal skin. Back then when there were no modern bedding, people who were struck by long term illnesses would be put on lisyelo as a more comfortable bedding. So the "brother" as commonly known has been condemned by the ancestors. 

The meeting happened and it resolved that the clan should elect another leader and Mwayafu was selected. The only problem is that he is not from the lineage of Soita. But everyone thinks that he is a better leader.

Thursday

Rituals were performed to have Mwayafu accepted as the clan leader and the first task given to him was to raise another shrine for the ancestors. Putting up a shrine is not as simple as building a normal house. "Bafumu" or sorcerers were called this time from Bunyole to oversee the whole process.

Friday

In performing rituals around the resting place or graveyard of the ancestors a huge snake sprung from one of the graves and bit Mukhwana, the twin brother to the late Wamono who died at Bumashebe on the way to Budwale. The traditional doctors were in handy to give first aid. A cloth was tied just below the knee to prevent poison from reaching the heart. They then cut "tsisalu" around the bite. The leg was swelling so fast but we were assured that it is nothing big

Saturday 

Mukhwana is recovering well but what is worrying is the meaning of the whole saga. A snake is a representation of both evil and custodial justice in our society and when  it bites a person, such is treated with a big measure of superstition. The construction of the shrine was halted, the people wanted Mwayafu as clan leader but the ancestors have rejected him.

Elkanah called his children and explained;

"A leader shall naturally emerge from and lead us against the perils that have befallen us. A leader of Bakyisu is never selected in a meeting or by ballot. A leader just emerges and he does not proclaim himself; he just connects with his people. But he must be from amongst us, one who is willing to lead, command respect and valor, He definitely cannot be Mwayafu who has even failed to tame his younger wife" 

Sunday 

What started as bitterness against Wanda has turned to a worry. People have started getting worried of what may become of Wanda now that Mwayafu has been rejected by the ancestors. The man who burnt the shrines is still down. 

Till then, we shall keep you posted!