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

A Week's Journey

It’s Sunday night, and I am exhausted! This past week...today especially...has been jam-packed with hustle-and-bustle…late nights and early mornings! Let's see...The week started off good… but with exhaustion in the air simply because of Sunday’s graduation excitement. Then Tuesday came, and all us PROMETRAns journeyed back out to Buyijja forest… arriving late in the night. The next morning (Wednesday) I awoke bright and early to the sound of a rooster cock-a-doodle-doing in the brisk morning air. After enjoying breakfast, it was time to venture into the thick of the forest. First thing first...I was designated a garden plot. It is part of Buyijja forest school that all new trainees manage their very own garden plots and grow whichever herb/plant they desire. Well since I am volunteering with PROMETRA and will be visiting Buyijja every week as an observer and partial trainee, I am to abide by the rules as well! So a few PROMETRAns gathered around to instruct me on how to build and manage my own garden plot…the Ugandan way. At first I was skeptical but then realized...I am in the middle of a Ugandan forest learning about the life of traditional healers...why not embrace it and TRULY experience every part! :) So I began plowing my little garden! Two PROMETRAns joined in shortly after to help. It was definitely hard work… but also made me feel good to know that slowly but surely a garden will manifest and be sustainable after my departure. I'm still not sure the herb/plant I will grow...I'll keep you posted! So after the initiation of the garden plot, the traditional healer classes began. I observed different classes from the previous week...still having more to observe this coming Wednesday. After the day ended, us PROMETRAns drove quietly back to Kampala…arriving late…thankfully not as late as the previous Wednesday. Then came Thursday and Friday…good days at the office...full of editing scripts and bringing in my outside perspectives. Friday evening Zurah taught me how to make Matooke...yum yum yum! It is one of the staple foods here in Uganda....bananas cooked in water and oil with veggies and curry! :) Mmm Mmm Good! I then cooked it by myself (not too bad…hehe) Saturday evening after arriving back from Kampala City Center with Zurah...we had shopped a little in the packed markets of Nabukeera Plaza. That day I experienced my first ride in a mini bus taxi! These mini bus taxis are simply everywhere...a main way of transport...along with boda bodas. It was a fun experience...just a little bus that carried about 10, if not a few more, passengers...weaving through traffic as though it owned the rodes :) And lastly to describe today...Zurah and Najibu first took me to Kasubi...where all the tombs of the late kings of Buganda rest. A very spiritual place! After that, we drove to Mango (hope I spelled that right) and visited a 350 year old Tortoise (or at least the gentleman told us he was 350 years old)...he was gigantic...I mean gigantic!!! Then we drove all the way to Entebbe to walk through the zoo. There I saw…up close and personal…Uganda’s national bird the crested crane...a beautiful bird with colors that match the Ugandan flag! Then we visited Lake Victoria…oh so grand!...A massive body of water...you would think it was the ocean, if you didn't know any better! So that pretty much sums up my week! Sorry for having written a mini novel! :) So much detail…so little time! Hope you enjoyed!!! :)

Keep the spirit alive - Ann

Graduation Celebration!

So let me see how to describe this... It was about 2 in the afternoon. Mathias and Hadijah from PROMETRA stopped by my apartment to pick me up for the graduation celebration. At this point, I experienced my first ride on a boda boda...Mathias, Hadijah, and I cruised the streets of Kampala, while weaving in and out of traffic on a little boda boda that could :) I should add here that Hadijah and I were both wearing skirts...good times...hehe! We made it to the ceremony safe and sound. Many people have told me that graduation celebrations are very grand here in Uganda. Well this celebration was even more than I expected! It was held at Martin's house (the graduate). A little tent was set up in his front-ish yard with everyone (like 40 or 50 people, not including all the children and bystanders) squeezed tightly underneath. So many people attended...family!!!, friends, friends of friends, etc. The first half of the celebration was filled with lots of talk...in Luganda. People stepped to the center to reminisce about Martin's childhood and years of transitioning into a man. Many people were recognized and thanked for their significant role in Martin's life over the past 20 or so years. Then came the congrats ...i.e. everyone! embraced Martin one-by-one in a big hug while handing over their gifts. Meanwhile lively music blarred in the background...i.e. a DJ was hired to keep the party up beat...he did his job! Then came the food...and lots of it...various Ugandan dishes. Shortly after...dun dun dun...the dancing music began!!! Like I said, the DJ knew how to keep the party going! People began to trickle onto the dance floor (just his yard) to dance the night away! At one point, African traditional songs played and people danced the traditional dance...simple but not all that easy might I add :) The dancing continued long into the night...children danced, elders danced, we all danced! Ugandans are quite lively and enjoy any chance to celebrate and be happy in the form of song and dance! It was a graduation celebration to remember! When the night...early morning...finally ended, Mathias delivered Hadijah and me back to our apartments to catch a few hours of shut-eye before Monday's work. So in short, the party was a blast...hehe!!!

Keep the spirit alive - Ann