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Fadzayi Maposah Correspondent
Shurugwi my birth town. The area of my roots, my umbilical cord lies in the farming area of Rockford. There is no way my life story will be shared without the mention of Shurugwi. The twists and turns of Boterekwa on their own are a lesson for me and many others.
It was a rather emotional end to this week for me. I travelled to the home town to bury a maternal aunt. I come from a history of polygamy on both sides. So some of the relationships are rather complex but I am still able to explain who beg at who. Some of my siblings get lost in the maze of explaining the rather complicated relationships but as for me, no worries.
Always meeting my aunts, uncles and cousins is always an experience. As some of my aunts and uncles are getting old, when you greet them, you say your name. If your name does not trigger any memory, you also have to mention your parent’s name.
Some of them can only connect you when they know your parent.
Should they remember who you are just as you mention your first name, the aunt or uncle can share how they carried you on their backs, or how they remembered being assigned to slaughter a goat when you were born.
My aunts and uncles always like reminding me how chubby I was as a child! I always smile when they say that, just to show them that my cheeks are still round!
I think I have shared in the past that my mother’s side is gifted with the talent of dancing. I have two left feet and I am always amazed how my relatives can get some dances going with so much ease.
At the night vigil for my aunt, my relatives were showing some of their dance prowess.
When women ululated, it was taken as a cue to dance more.
Some of the dance moves were characteristic of gym performances that are well orchestrated and well trained for. When they dance, they make it look like child’s play.
I still wonder why I did not inherit this gene.
I am sure I would have put this talent to very good use. I know people lie that once they have a special talent, they will put it to good use and may end up not utilising the talent as they take it for granted. Not me if I could dance. I would dance all the way. The fact that I am not a very good dancer does not stop me from dancing for my physical and mental well-being.
Back to the funeral night vigil, I watched together with many others in total amazement as my many relatives danced to different songs which were supported by rattles and drums and very energetic claps from members of the audience and members of the dancing crew too.
They were dancing outside and I am sure that they were not in any way affected by the cold weather as during the course of the night, I saw some of they go jacketless while some people like me pulled our coats to make sure that each part was covered and safe from the chilly weather.
As the dancing intensified during the course of the night, there were calls to sprinkle water on the ground as.many desert storms were erupting. The storms did not deter anyone,they just continued to dance.Before the water was sprinkled in the dust one could see the heads bobbing up and down, very amazing leg work which can at times only be attributed to genetic make-up! My relatives danced, they were on a mission to bid farewell to a very special aunt who had loved them very dearly, dust or no dust would not make a difference to their celebration of life.
The night vigil was an all-night celebration of life.
Occasionally, the first name of the aunt who had passed away would be sung in the songs.
Lesson learnt from my maternal relatives, they celebrate their lives while alive and then have another celebration as a send-off when one passes. Dancing and singing are part of the celebrations and those who dance very well are known by all and these are the ones who are encouraged to start dancing so that others join.
My aunt whose life was being celebrated had cervical cancer. The word cancer brings a lot of fear amongst many. Knowing that an aunt had cervical cancer reminds me that I could be prone to the cancer. That is enough to send a chill down my spine. Just getting a chill down my spine is not enough though. There is need to be very proactive understanding that coming from a family where others had the condition points that my female relatives and I are at risk too of getting the disease.
Supporting and encouraging one another in reproductive health issues is very important. One of the ways to support one another is to share reproductive health information.
Information is empowering. This includes what cervical answer is. Cervical cancer is one of the leading cause of death among African women, Zimbabwe included. When the statistics are shared for women who were diagnosed of cervical cancer in this country, I will always have pictures of my aunt and others I know who had the condition cropping in my mind.
Among the statistics are loved friends and relatives, not only for me but it could also apply to you too, the one reading this. It is important for everyone to have correct information.
Early detection of cervical cancer is important in the management of not only cervical cancer but many other diseases too. Wherever, you are seek information and share it, what good is keeping information that saves people’s lives?
Understand the information, do not be intimidated by fear. Be a support system for a sister. Be your sister’s keeper. Do not allow lack of information to contribute to your loved ones being among the statistics. Keep hope alive for a sister. Keep hope alive for yourself too!
Online Reporter