Eye-Opening Experience

I want to begin by apologizing for taking so long to post a new blog…eshk!…with a busy schedule and sketchy internet it can be difficult sometimes :) But I am here now to tell you about my past few experiences. Last week was pretty busy with office work at the PROMETRA Uganda headquarters, as well as our weekly visit to Buyijja Forest School on Wednesday…which turned out to be pretty fascinating! I was able to visit the Spiritualist class! Now some of you might be wondering what I mean by spiritualist and what that class entails :) Well it is slightly difficult for me to explain simply because it is new to me, as well as I am not a spiritualist. The best way for me to explain is by first saying that African traditional spiritualists believe that everyone contains their human form as well as their spiritual form…that means there is always you and your spirit. And when one dies, certain people’s spirits are chosen/allowed to return to earth in order to continue their work…as a spirit. There are certain chosen people who have the ability to receive communication from those spirits via visions, dreams, spiritual possession, etc. Now, spirituality is very diverse across the world and is culturally defined. So far, this is the best explanation I can give for African spirituality…for that of which I have encountered. Now for the class…the spiritualist class at Buyijja Forest School trains in spirituality as a form of traditional healing. When I visited the class, I was able to interact with the students…I asked them many questions, while they in-turn asked me questions. Shortly after, the music, dancing, and singing began! :) A drum kept the beat while the people mastered the lyrics…I was unsure of what they were saying, but was aware that a spiritual connection was taking place. Then music ended…people gathered around to converse with spirits…via spiritual possession…in order to receive guidance, answers, consultation, as well as give thanks and pray. It was a powerful experience to observe…I was quite speechless. After the class commenced, I simply needed to digest what happened. I walked away with questions as well as with my eyes wide open. In short, Spiritualism is a captivating traditional healer practice…you must come with an open mind to then leave with a greater sense of appreciation. After the day ended, all us PROMETRAns ventured back to Kampala to finish out the week. Friday came as a day of celebration! Another of my PROMETRA colleagues graduated from a local University...as I mentioned before, University graduations in Uganda are BIG deals! That evening we all traveled to the beach...on Lake Victoria...to eat, visit, and reminisce. It was relaxing and fun! :) Then the weekend came. I ventured into Kampala city center with some friends both Saturday and Sunday…first visiting Centenary Park...which I enjoyed a great deal and hope to return to…then visiting Garden City…for a little Valentine’s Day outing :) After the weekend passed, work began once again. Us PROMETRAns traveled back to Buyijja Forest School again on Wednesday. This time, over 60 Nkozi University students came to visit the school and be introduced to traditional healing medicine and practice. I moved with the group, as they visited each class…just as a reminder, Buyijja Forest School consists of three classes: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 (divided into Traditional Bone Setters, Traditional Mental Health Specialists, Traditional Birth Attendants, Herbalists, and Spiritualists). There was so much energy throughout the entire day…the students were there until late in the evening learning all they could…and still not enough… about some of their African roots and traditions! Eventually they left…hopefully with opened minds and a greater sense of appreciation! Shortly after, us PROMETRAns traveled back to Kampala to get a solid night’s sleep! That brings me to today…another good day at the office. So far my time here in Uganda has been wonderful…every day is an adventure, and I am always experiencing new things...in fact, this Sunday I have a traditional African introduction (a pre-wedding-gathering-type-event) to attend! Wish me luck and fun! :)

Keep the spirit alive - Ann