Image credit: Lucy Oribi
It is a beautiful sunny February afternoon in Palenga, a trading centre about 13 kms from Gulu town on the Kampala-Gulu highway, in Northern Uganda. The place I call home, my village home. It is scotching hot. The splendid afternoon quiet is broken only by the sweet singing of birds and rustling of tree leaves.
I am visiting Professor Beron. At over 75 years, Beron gets her title from the wise counsel she gives whoever cares to listen, and she doesn’t mince words. Professor is my grandma even though she did not birth any of my parents. She earned it when she looked after my father- when he was starting out. Beron lives a stone throw away from my parent’s home, what used to be my grandparent’s home.
Professor is seated on a papyrus mat under a tree. “Latin na, Amito-Acholi (My child, Amito-Acholi). Bin kany (come here),” she recognizes me from a short distance. I kneel, then quickly fall into her embrace. Her warmth engulfs me like a winter blanket. And for a moment, I am lost. “Latin na, man in?” (My child, is this you?) It is 5 years since I last saw her. She squeezes me tightly, then holds me at arm’s length. She examines my face. I smile brightly. “Oh, it is you! You haven’t lost your smile, your white beautiful teeth,” she carries on. At this point, am quietly thanking God for her good eyesight.
We exchange pleasantries. I ask how she is doing. I ask about her child, Atim and grandchildren. She asks how am doing. She asks about my husband, whether am looking after him and my home well. Before I have a chance to respond, she slips into her reverie; she shares her experiences of survival and resilience, and how values were passed on during evening campfires when she was younger. She shares stories of happiness, happiness that came from within, from shared values and strong communities. Sadly, she acknowledged that times have changed, more so for city dwellers.
“Your mother told me you were busy studying in the land of the white man,” she quickly changes the subject. Latin na, you make us all proud. “Do not bring shame to your mother, she is a good woman. Do not bring shame to us, women of Palenga,” she cautions. Look after your husband well. Keep a clean home and cook good food; healthy Acholi food. That is what an Acholi woman should do. “I will make some roasted groundnuts for you to take with you when you go back”
Image credit: Carol Ocheng
In Acholi, one of the tribes in northern Uganda, a girl child must be taught how to cook, clean and generally look after a home. Her mother bore the shame if she wasn’t. In the olden days, insults like “careless like your mother” were hurled at careless women. Some unhappy husbands even sent their wives back to their mothers for further teaching. And what a shame this brought to the mothers and the women of her village.
“Latin na, I must tell you this before you go; when your husband makes abrupt demands, don’t give in. He needs to be good to you. You both need to be ready for it. You both need to be good to each other. When a woman is not ready, it is very painful. When you are not ready or don’t want to do it, tell him and you must hold your own. You must hold your own. You don’t have to accept to do it all the time; it is okay to refuse – sometimes. Do you understand me? The granary is not open all the time”. I quickly caught on that the professor was talking about sex. I listened and smiled shyly, blushing a little even. A passer-by stops to greet the old good professor. I get a chance to leave soon after.
Great insights! I love every single piece of your story.
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Thank you Miriam for taking time to read and provide feedback, it is much appreciated.
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What a beautiful traditional story x loved reading about your life
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Thank you Theresa for reading my story and for your kind comment x
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It is for sure a good story tell, i had to read up to the end
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Thank you for your comment Abre, it is much appreciated.
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Lovely, it reminds me alot about my Gradma!! she would not shy way to ask you or talk to you about issues that my parents would hardly mention!! Keep writing!!
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Thank you Cyrus, am glad i was able to remind you of your grandma! I will keep writing, please follow my blog for future articles.
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Reading this on women’s day!!! Beautiful piece. Refreshing read. Thank you Caroline
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I thought it was appropriate for women’s day, am glad you got it on time! Thank you for your feedback and kind comment.
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Thanks for sharing your stories, took me far away. I like what you wrote about the writer too – You like to encourage your readers to share their own stories through your own sharing of stories, and for that you have inspired me to start officially writing again. Maybe even a blog, thanks for the inspiration Caroline, appreciate it 🙂
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The pleasure is all mine. Thank you for taking time to read my story and am glad it has inspired you to write yours. I think with one story at a time we all share our beautiful lives and make earth a better place to live. Can’t wait for yours 🙂
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Thanks hun, appreciate it 🙂 x
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Go Carol! You’re gonna bit that disease (which many of us suffer from) in no time:-)
Nice one
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Thank you Niyi, yes many of us do suffer from procrastination. I hope we can all beat it. Thank you for taking time to read my article and for the comment.
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Wonderful story my dear, I have also learned a few things from you sharing this. Please keep them coming.
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Am glad you have learnt something. Thank you for the feedback.
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Proff Beron are one of the very few Women im so proud of today because she doesn’t spare any one with her words but in a positive way.Thanks for sharing.
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Am glad you are proud of her teachings..please visit often. Our elders’ time is limited, let’s make the most of their time.
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You should consider publishing a book, unless you already have, in which case I would like to know the title. All in all the story is beautifully crafted and is eye catching to any intellectual. Your grandma’s advice is also spot on. Good read.
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Thank you for taking the time to read my article, for your recommendation and kind comment. I haven’t considered writing a book about this particular subject.
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I enjoyed very much this piece of work. I like your theme, your name, your style! I’d love to see more pictures and learn more about your culture. You’ve just gained another follower 🙂
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Hi Siyana,
Thank you for the follow (you are my second 😃) and kind feedback, it is very much appreciated. I will certainly write more and share as many pictures as i can…happy days
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You are very welcome, I’m sure there are a lot more to come!
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