John, our children, and I were invited by the Chairman of the Kisayhip Village that we work with to experience and witness one of the farming/wedding traditions that they practice. We picked up the kids right after school and went to go “be a part” of traditional Africa.
Corrie with her children, Gus, Sarah, and Sami
Upon arriving, we learned more…. when a man marries a woman from another village, the husband’s village during the next year, has some responsibilities. Three different times the village will come over to the wife’s village and “farm” or till the land and then the two villages share a meal and celebrate. It just so happened that the Chairman’s youngest daughter was married this past year, and the man’s village was finishing up their agreement and coming for the third and final time to “farm” the Chairman’s land.
It was actually really fun. John got a try and I think within time, he would be great. No, seriously, it was amazing to be there firsthand and see the excitement and encouragement that both villages shared for one another. The one came with about sixty men and within an hour tilled maybe three acres, row after row after row of their corn. They worked together like a machine.
As the men were working, the women and kids were either dancing and encouraging or they were cooking and preparing for the meal afterward. Overall, I liked the gesture and thought it would be really cool if we could somehow put this practice into place in the States. Maybe it is not tilling or farming, but maybe it is something different. I don’t know…. something to think about. How sweet to see one people group take care of another people group. Even though they didn’t all get married, obviously, they all took part in the responsibilities of it. I like it!
Okay, I just spent about an hour having this video download (and it wasn’t finished) and our power went out. SOOO, no video. I have included a couple of pictures. It won’t do the scene justice because you need to see these men work with their tools and the women singing and dancing… but here are a few photos. I hope you can catch the moment somewhat.
