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Relatives exchanging opinion outside the next day after burial It was on Monday, January 13th, 2014 the day I was called in front of ...

Relatives exchanging opinion outside the next day after burial

It was on Monday, January 13th, 2014 the day I was called in front of  my village people to  ask for an apology for allege that  I have insulted them. This happened at Kwakoa a village where I was born. This village is located in Mwanga district in Kilimanjaro region .The region in Tanzania where Mount Kilimanjaro is.

Every one woke up very early that morning. Each was in grief for losing our father. I entered into the cattle shelter that morning and selected a fat bull to slaughter to mark the burial ceremony of our beloved father. Our father passed away the previous day at age 84. His body has just arrived home. He died in Dar es salaam where he was attending treatment almost for seven years now.

Our mother died in 2009. Our father’s second wife died recently. It was in year 2013.We don’t have them now .May God rest their souls in peace. Amen.

I and my family had just arrived home from Mwanza some hours before the body was brought. I have been working in Mwanza for 30 years now. Hence, I look a stranger than an indigenous person in my own home Village. Yes I know very few of the new generation born in my village during this period and many of them also don’t know me.

We were continuing receiving people coming to pay condolences to our family. Nevertheless, near relatives had already come but we expected others to arrive from Usangi, Moshi and Arusha.

I and some elders from our family were occupied with preparation for burial rituals and rites such as locating a place to dig the grave, washing the body, preparing the shroud and calling religious leaders (Imam) for burial prayer and many other related functions for burial.

Earlier before entering in to wash the body of our deceased father I saw my young brother serving food to the women who came to pay a homage hand to us. I advised him not to do so for it is a sacrilege, something our customs and norms forbid or order not to do. After this I went in to continue with going on activities of rite of passage.

It was when I was to start wearing my deceased father a shroud than Mahuna, my elder brother to my elder mother called me.

” My young brother the situation outside is in turmoil. You are needed outside by the young men  to apologise to them or they leave this place to let you bury  your father alone.” He said.

With him was my cousin Makoko. He added by saying that I should only say, I am sorry without adding any other word. “We hope things will calm down.” He decreed.

“What wrong have I done to my people? I am occupied beyond any explanation. I fail to know how could I wrong them while I am busy.” I protested.

“You just go and say sorry to them.  Actually we have salted every thing. They allege you of calling them greedy and selfish. And that is why you denied them  food for the fear that they might eat and run away.”  He concluded.

I came out to find a big group of people. “ABOMINATION” Somebody uttered from among the group.  Murmurings followed and continued.

“Listen him then!  “A voice commanded.  “You asked him to come out, he is here then listen to him.”

 I apologised. “I am sorry for what I am alleged of my people.  Whatever translation reached you I remain to believe that my intention was for good and not for bad”

burial  is taking place.

The group was not contentedly moved but they went back any way. They resumed the burying of the grave and burial took place at last.

When time for eating came many young men left without eating.  My family, Elders, Our relatives, Guests from Dar es Salaam, Moshi, Arusha, Singida and those of my age and few young men remained and ate with us.

It was like a nightmare to me but that was how it was.

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