My Uncle and the Bena Dancing Belles

by lute wa lutengano

My Uncle, Lusungu Merere, is in town. Being the youngest of my maternal uncles, he was always my favourite. This notwithstanding the fact that he is now approaching 70 years.

I remember some many years ago, I believe I was still in my early years of primary education, when my parents decided to banish me to my maternal grandparents. I believe they did so because I was proving to be a family pest. My grandfather being a strict pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Uhambule village, in Benaland, was the perfect venue.

Little did they know that I would end up enjoying my banishment at my grandparents' home. First there was the family orchard overflowing with ripe paw paws, oranges, guavas, peaches, mangoes and many other fruits.

My grandfather would always ‘banish’ us grandchildren to the orchard whenever he had important visitors in the house. There we would gorge ourselves with the many fruits available. It was not unusual for us to

abscond dinner. Thanks to the orchard.

Then there was Uncle Lusungu. He was always fun to have him around. By then he had already finished his teacher training course at Kinampanda, somewhere in central Tanzania, and was now teaching at one of the Lutheran Church primary schools.

He would always take us around the village to whichever venue they had some celebrations, be it weddings, confirmations or simply Xmas or Easter celebrations. These events were always accompanied by colourful traditional dances. This is where all the village belles would assemble to display their beauty and dancing skills.

We, the children, were more interested in the songs and the buns and other bites we were offered. I am now, however, becoming more and more convinced that my Uncle Lusungu patronised the events for more interesting things which had more to do with the many belles there.

I do remember that our patronising pastor-grandfather was very much against our attending the events. He somehow strongly believed that these were part of a major satanic move to lure away the God-fearing Benas from the ways of the Church. No wonder our Uncle Lusungu became our hero.

Now on arrival in Arusha, my Uncle’s first wish was to visit Makumira University. Those who grew up in the Lutheran church will understand that Makumira was one of the major training centers for the church leaders in Tanzania and as well as from neighbouring countries.

I made arrangements for him to visit the University. And sure enough he came back beaming with delight. He had met sons and daughters of his contemporaries who are presently teaching at the University.

Uncle Lusungu declared that now he was ready to go home and tell one and all that at long last he had now been able to visit the Mecca of the Lutheran Church in Tanzania. He almost collapsed when I informed him that I was yet to visit Makumira. Why? He wondered.

Back in my mind I remembered about the Bena dancing belles. Perhaps that is where I would love to be. Oh! How time and life changes!

lutengano@hotmail.com.