From: Margaret Kiriro
Mwakoma, Kenya
Hi readers
During New year i was together with madam Aggy at my home at Marie.
[Cliff: Maggy's grandparents' home in Marie village is the most stunningly beautiful place at the top of the Sagalla Mountain]
My grandfather had worries on what was to be taken during the day as we had a large number of visitors, and he had only one big cow, two goats whereby one was pregnant, and the otherone was too young to be eaten and we had no chicken too.
Raining Cats & Dogs
Unfortunately the night before New year it rained heavily and a very strong wind hitting trees and trembling the roofs made big damages to some of the houses in the village including ours. We had gone out to church for prayers, thereafter went door to door singing praise songs and this is called Malaika in our language. This is done in our community during Xmas and New Year’s eve. This is normally done by the church leaders and youth. When we reach to any house, after we sing, we are given some offerings which help in church building and other activities done to church. It was horrible as it was raining cats and dogs.
Because of the changed weather the place where our 2 goats sleep, was full of bricks which were stored inside it not to be destroyed by much rains. Accidentally, due to the heavy down pour which was accompanied by heavy wind, the young goat climbed on top of the piled bricks and he made them fall off. Those bricks fell on the pregnant goat and broke one of the hind leg. My grandfather rushed to help the goat as he heard it making much noise. He found the goat was terribly hurt and thereafter he got the best suff for the New Year.
Meal of Goat (sighamu)
The goat was slaughtered that day morning. During slaughtering, people collect blood which pour from the first cut made on the neck. Skinning is done and the skin itself is put under ashade to dry slowly, and later used for making local handbags, traditional dansing costumes, drums tops and traditonal bag for carrying arrows,knives and pangas. The blood is mixed with salt and cooked separately,thereafter,it is mixed with coocked intestines, kidneys, liver and heart and they are eaten together.
After eating this meal called sighamu in sagala language, we stated roasting the meat and some part of the meat was coocked and prepared for the main meal for lunch.
There was also a tradional brew for men which was made from sugercane and ‘mratina’.
Entertainment
After eating, we had some entertainment. We played music and everybody danced to his/her best. Thereafter we climbed up the Marie hill to enjoy ourselves.
It was a wonderful day to all of us and we termed it as beautiful begining to each. We hope for the best during this year.
Report from Madam Margaret S Kiriro
Kileva Foundation
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