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FORTUNE FAVOUR THE BOLD

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Bab 1: Fortune Favours the bold

One hot afternoon, in the second home of the great Asweda, when everyone was under a shed resting after struggling with a huge ugali served with pig weed. Ugali was a staple meal for the Luhya community made by boiling the crushed dried maize. Normally, in African society, especially the Luhya culture, people usually have a great rest after the noon meal. Suddenly there came a tension. Asweda's wife Suzana was experiencing serious labor pains. Suzana yelled so loudly that everybody was terrified. Her sister-in-law hurriedly picked her up and took her to her muddy hut, and she laid on an animal skin facing up. She was then covered with an animal skin. Meanwhile, Asweda ran helter-skelter to go and look for a long-distance runner, who was to run to the neighboring village to look for a traditional mid-wife (who would assist in the delivery process). It was so unfortunate that the entire village had no single traditional mid-wife. To an extent, a runner had to be sent to the neighboring village which was several miles away.

Asweda arrived at Owino's home in a manner that would suggest something was messy. A loud, deep voice could be heard calling Owino. In response, a soft voice responded, "Owino has been sent to deliver a message a few weeks ago by the chief and is yet to arrive". Having no other option, Asweda had to go himself, although it would take him time because he was not a professional runner. One hour later, he was seriously sweating while breathing so loudly that you think his heart would burst out of his chest. A bad thing happened, and this angered Asweda to an extent he clicked and almost cursed 'Were'. 'Were' was the name for a supernatural being the community believed in. It was a very unfortunate thing for the entire family. Asweda had hit his leg hard on a sharp rock that left his left leg with a huge cut as blood came out at a rate that was really worrying. The right leg had a fracture. It is believed that Asweda was at high speed beyond control when the incident happened that made him fall instantly.

At home, things were messy, everyone was waiting for positive feedback from Asweda. It came time to deliver and Suzana, being a strong lady, gave birth successfully to a bouncing baby boy. During the delivery process, as Suzana was struggling to welcome her firstborn, the sisters-in-law were singing an inspirational song to give her encouragement. "Ogungo hatari Namrembo Omuogo kwa Ingiland" sang-the sister in-laws. The song meant that Suzana was a strong lady, being compared to a cassava that originated from England, which was normally thought to be hard compared to the locally available ones. The baby was welcomed by ululations and vigorous dancing styles by all the extended family members.

It was now the time for animals to suffer or say give back to the owner. As usual, more cocks and goats had to be slaughtered as a way of welcoming new members to society and ancestors also appeased in the process. Now what was hindering the process was the availability of the father's presence, who was to initiate the process. Late into the night, all members of the extended family gathered to have a discussion about the whereabouts of Asweda. They all consciously made a decision to send a group of "Varaga," to go and find out. 'Varaga' was a word that described young, strong, energetic people in society.

The group was dispatched at around 8.00 pm on a search. The group was divided into four subgroups, and each was to take a different direction into the search mission. The following day, the first group arrived with good news. Deep voices could be heard from far away as they sang melodiously in celebration of their achieved mission. They came along with Asweda, who was in serious pain.

Asweda was assigned and attended to by a traditional medicinal healer. There was a mixed reaction between happiness and sadness. That evening, a party was to be organized and animals were to be slaughtered to appease the ancestors and reconcile with them in an event the family went against their wishes. Asweda, lying next to his son, could be heard thanking them for the son. The son was called Thishinda according to the culture, alongside other ancestral names. Thishinda was a name given to a baby born during a very difficult time. "Thishida, I am gladly welcoming you to this world, the world of struggle and, as a man, you have to up your game," said the father.

Thishida had already received his first name based on circumstances and was awaiting the second name (Ancestral name). He was the only son of Asweda. Asweda had considerably sired seven daughters from his first wife and for the first time, he was going to be a father to a male child. This meant that Thishida was a significant figure in the family.

Now evening came, and it was now the time for the party to take place. The preparation was done in advance. Several animals were slaughtered, and traditional brew set in place. Traditional brew was highly valued in the Luhya community. A variety of traditional foods were present. It came time to start, and the traditional band was present to entertain at the event. The lyrics started and everybody took a position showcasing his/ her dancing styles. The dance was very entertaining. Indeed, it was a great day for society. Ladies, old, young and men could be seen shaking their shoulders vigorously as they shake their heads in conjunction with the musical pattern. Everyone had to take off-stage at his/ her own time. The time for food came and people ate to their full. Now old people took their position to drink the traditional brew in the strategic corners of the home compound. A fire was lit to provide warmth as they drank their brew. There were four big pots put in the strategic position of the compound. Each pot was to accommodate more than thirty people. They had to sip them using a straw. The party ended late in the night.

The following day came. It was indeed a very beautiful day. The birds were singing melodiously, suggesting the beginning of a wonderful day. The grass outside was shining like broken glass exposed to direct sunlight. All the family members woke up energetic and a happy mood could still be seen in their faces.

Another thing happened, and it was now a very difficult thing for the family to intervene. Thishida started crying continuously without ceasing. As sure as the sun rises from the east, Asweda knew that it was a naming wrangle. It was clearly known that such incidents often happen to newborn babies when an ancestor needs to be named after. Now the difficult thing was to identify the exact ancestor who needed to be named. There was a procedure which was usually presided over by the grandmother of the child. For this reason, the grandmother was informed to come and rescue the situation. The new mother was really worried as this was the first time he had experienced such a thing. She tried to make the baby comfortable by bathing, but still could not cease crying. The baby could still not breast-feed, and the only thing was crying. The grandmother arrived and started chanting the names of the ancestors. He pronounced all the names, and all got exhausted but still could not calm the situation. He had exhausted all the names associated with males. It was now getting late, and night was approaching. The child had cried the whole day. The grandmother grabbed the child and started throwing him up and grabbing him in the air. Now she started again, she pronounced Nasimalwa and the child went silent. Immediately, the child stopped crying. The exact name has been identified, and the child was to be named Nasimalwa, although the name was associated with a feminine.

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