Chapter 2: The poor boy Thishida Nasimalwa (the shaving ritual)
It was now time for the shaving ritual to be performed. The ritual was a very significant exercise in the Luhya society. It was mainly done as an assurance to the legitimate ownership of the child. The practice could be compared to the present day, "DNA test". Now there was a procedure laid down to fulfill the process. The grandmother of the child was very significant in the preparation process especially availing the traditional medicine to be used to bath the child immediately after shaving him/ her. As for this case, Nekunda who was the grandmother of Thishida was assembled to make the preparations. Nekunda played her role well and left the remaining role to be performed by Asweda as the father.
The shaving ritual process had very serious consequences which could cost the life of the child in case he/ she was not the biological child to the alleged father. It was a very difficult time for mothers especially where there is doubt about the biological ownership of the child. Suzzana reluctantly surrendered her son after being conditioned by the family members. The ritual process was inevitable and in case of negative findings, it mostly led to divorce as it was a proof of infidelity. And for lenient punishment, the unfaithful woman could be beaten naked and forced to exposure to termites to sting her publicly as people mock her. This process was very shameful.
The father, although still in serious pain, grabbed his son ready to implement the task. The consequences of the ritual was irreversible and once performed cannot be undone. The next thing that happened surprised everyone. Suzzana cried very loudly, "Omwana wangee sa yengene vayie, mndehere", by which he meant that her only child was to be killed signifying her having knowing Thishida was not a biological son to Asweda. This was a very difficult time for Asweda to make decision considering the family members insisted the accomplishment of the ritual.
Asweda, being a wise man held the child back and in a low tone said,"Am really sorry to this poor young boy for innocently having intention to kill him unknowingly and for this reason my hands sets him free". Everyone around could not believe as it was for the first time to witness such a scenario. It was against the community customs and Asweda would be considered a curse to the community for failing to accomplish as the custom requires. For this reason, a cleansing ceremony had to be performed as a form of asking forgiveness to the ancestors. The cleansing ceremony was as a form of reconciliation to the ancestors. Infidelity was highly prohibited in the community and was punished by stoning the victim to death. Asweda realizing the mess, stood up and angrily grabbed his wife Suzana, sand-witched her to the wall and slapped her twice eventually forcefully pushing her outside their grass thatched muddy house.
Suzana cried painful as she was mocked and ridiculed by the family members. She was accused for infidelity and was being forced to reveal the name of the biological father of the child. Being a wise lady could not utter even a single word despite the pressure from the family members.
Now it was a must the identity of the child to be revealed. Having no the option, "Omusayi" was to be brought. "Omusayi" were old peoples in the society who were able to tell the father of the child by just looking at the face of the child. "Omusayi" were very professional and their revelation was highly valued. Nakhabi was the most trusted omusayi. She was brought and her revelation shocked the family. Asweda's immediate brother was the biological father of Thishida. It was now clear that Suzana had messed with the brother in law. The situation now worsened as it brought conflict between the two brothers.
It was the victims to face the consequences and the option was either to be stoned to death or being exposed to to angry disturbed termite to be stung as a punishment. Ochilo knowing very well the consequences awaiting him ran at a supersonic speed to the hideouts. The young energetic men kept pace in an attempt to catch him but in vain. He ran and eventually disappeared into the thin air. That is how he saved himself. It is believed he went into a far village and stayed there.
At that time, Suzana was outside looking helpless awaiting her punishment. The community was ready to execute its mandate and their option was to stone Suzzana to death, as evidenced by stones they were holding in their hands. Asweda was a real man.He was normally called "Imboko" which can be simply be translated as a man with strong stand. Despite the situation, he still stood with the wife. Asweda stood up, struggled with a walking stick and picked his machete. He went straight outside and ordered everybody to disappear before he mess with them. Everyone ran for their safety and that is how Suzana was saved from wolf who were craving for her blood. Suzzana hurriedly grabbed her husband hugged him and thanked him for standing as a man.
The couple returned to their muddy hut and closed their door. It was now time to sort out their issues internally. "My wife, why have you brought me all this shame, why have you decided to expose my naked to the world", Asweda Lamented in a low tone. Suzzana cried for a while and the asked for forgiveness from her man. They reconciled and bonded their relationship. The house now gained happiness again but now had more task ahead. The couple had already reconciled but now the the heavy task was now to reconcile with the ancestors and the elders. They had to first present a male goat before the council of elders who would later negotiate with the ancestors on behalf of the family. The next step was to present another goat to be slaughtered to appease the ancestors. Finally Suzana to face council of elders and ask for forgiveness. The hard test for Suzana was to face the council of elders. Convincing those elders and passing through the process was a hard test. She was to have extra courage and good convincing power considering the tough questions awaiting her.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
daniel_osaye
daniel_osaye Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
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