Last weekend, one of the members of a big, big family was traveling to Accra. For… you guessed right… an international conference (I would call it regional, really).
The send-off luncheon for this member of a big big family who was traveling to attend the international conference was being held at the house of his sister, my neighbor.
A Super Custom vehicle bearing (in the range of) 25 adult heads arrived at the gate at exactly a quarter to 8am, and hooted loudly.
The sister of the member of the family going to outside countries for an international conference, clanged open the gate, and the Super Custom loaded with (in the range of) 25 adult heads, some sitting on laps and pelvises drove in.
The excited (in the range of) 25 adult heads trooped out noisily. Two huge saucepans, three bunches of matooke, two live roosters, and a “leg” of cow were pulled from under the chairs of the Super Custom.
More commotion as the food was carried into the house. And then the big big family caught sight of the member who was soon to catch the aeroplane to Accra for the international conference. “Uluullluuuu! Ulluuulluuuu!”
The beehive of activity in the house was evident from the noise that emerged as a front door that is kept locked at all times was flung open, with children running in and out, to and from the shop.
“Gwe omwana, genda ku duuka oleete yo bu sacheti bwa Simba Mbili!” I need curry powder, hurry up!!
“Timose! Yongera yo enyaanya!” Someone frying the chicken needed more tomatoes.
“Owaye! Emicungwa omukazi gyakuwadde nga mikadde!” The grocer had sold the child oranges that were too old.
Amid the din and the smoke from a wood fire in the backyard, the chickens were slaughtered, e, the “leg” of cow was boiled, the matooke was steamed, and finally, after several hours, the food was inhaled.
With the hefty lunch quickly tucked away, the prayers began. To bless this blessed member of the big big family to have a safe trip and a two-day stay in that faraway country whose capital is Ghana. And for God to grant him many many more trips of this nature so that he can see the world. Also, for the Almighty to grant other members of this big big family the same blessings as their relative.
Then it was time for the trip to Entebbe airport. The members of the big big family trooped out of the house all dressed and made up. The international conference delegate in a one-size-too-big suit took the window seat at the front, a briefcase on his lap. Two other people- a child and adult - squeezed in between the delegate and the driver.
And when they were all stuffed in, and the door had been slammed shut, and the driver started the ignition, then the car started to move, they broke into loud song.
All the way to the airport to wave bye-bye to their relative who would be attending a two-day international conference.
No comments:
Post a Comment