Weduneral

My village goodbye party was a hybrid of a wedding and a funeral.

It was like a wedding because:

• There was upbeat church music playing and a high table decorated with a nice tablecloth
• A party of about ten people came to escort me from my house to the meeting, singing songs about me in Kihehe
• They danced their presents up to me (wrapped me in a nice kitenge and put a basket on my head)
• They danced up money, eggs and beans to give to me
• They hired a photographer and I was the only one who smiled for the camera
• We ate rice and goat meat after the meeting

It was like a funeral because:

• People gave speeches praising me
• Some people were genuinely sad and others were there out of obligation
• The village leaders read a history of my life and work in Nyakipambo
• There were village announcements after the ceremony
• I was in the process of willing all of my stuff to friends of mine (example: Mama Luti- one bucket, Mama Neema- wash basin)

Many people came to my house; those who were genuinely sad to say goodbye, and those who came to see what presents I would give them, but were never satisfied with what they got. I had decided to avoid the frustration of trying to sell my things. I gave all my extra clothes and my kitchen things to orphans. I donated my furniture to the library the priest is setting up.