Jatuka

Growing up, going to Kabondo was not just an Ordinary trip it was a Special Treat. It was a time to reconnect with my cousins while My Mother bonded with her Siblings. The journey was always kept a secret till the very last minute and every once in awhile I would accompany My Mother Home to Kabondo. She had a way of sneaking in and leaving without telling me. And each time she returned, I would throw a tantrum and refuse to eat as pay back for not being invited on the trip to Kabondo. You see My Mother’s hometown held a special place in Our Lives yet she never spent the night there whenever she visited. Her trips were conducted early mornings and she would returned by evening the same day. I seldom wondered why she didn’t like staying overnight. Maybe she explained it, but it never sinked in until now. Once you lose your parents, going Home nolonger feels the same. To me Kabondo was Heaven yet for My Mother it was Bitter sweet. Each time she left me behind I would cry and plead to go on the next trip but the answer was always No. The few times I was able to go she would conduct a prep-talk a day before the trip. No we cannot spend the night, no you cannot stay behind and no don’t ask your uncles to ask me. Be on your best behavior when we arrive and if you go play outside, stay within close range. And that was the order nothings for many of the trips to Kabondo. No one ever pleaded with her for us to stay longer. Maybe it was her strict demeanor that scared everyone, or maybe they tried and gave up. Either way, the Trips to Kabondo were always short lived. All the uncles, cousins, extended relatives would always meet and gather at Uncle Wilson’s house each time we visited. I sometimes wondered where the rest of them lived, but dared to never ask. Remember I was summoned to be on my best behavior while in Kabondo, and if I disobeyed I would be dispelled from visiting again. I knew not to ask questions in order to continue accompanying Mommy on her trips.

This continued for awhile until one day I decided to ask anyways. My uncle just laughed and said, they live close by. And pointed out into the fields. The next trip I decided to try asking more questions and whether we could spend the night, go visit the rest of my uncles, but my mother just gave me a stare that said “you lost your privileges”. The next couple of trips she took she would sneak out very early in the morning and leave me behind on purpose. It was the worst punishment at the time but I eventually regained an invitation for another trip to Kabondo.

This time I was ready and decided to occupy my time wisely. You see I had studied the routine to Kabondo like a time-table. The routine was always the same. Leave Nyakack at 6am, be in Kabondo by 8am. Have breakfast with the Family. Mommy would bond with her siblings till 2pm. Lunch would be served then we would immediately head back to Nyakach. Location was always uncle Wilson’s home. I had mastered the Itinerary of this trip in details. Now enter Cousin Jeff aka Jatuka. Everytime we previously visited, I would bond with the cousins within my uncles premises. But since I was banned from visiting for awhile, I knew I had to maximize my time wisely. So we arrived in Kabondo per usual and had breakfast with the Family. Grownups were in doors chatting while the cousins stood outside bonding. Jatuka soon came by and asked do you want to see where the rest of your uncles live and my face lit up. I immediately said yes and we took off. No one saw us leave, or if they did they chose not to alert my mother. We walked for what seemed like forever to their home. And then to the next uncles home. You see my uncles land were like farms, huge, neatly arranged and organized. Each homestead was like a mile from the other, and for the first time I saw what real farming looked like. Each farm was individually divided and had one specific crop being grown on it. There were huge acres of sweet potatoes, another farm of Corn, bananas, and etc. Unlike Nyakach where we mix and grow everything in the same farm. We came across multiple fruit trees along the walk, and just ate fruits. This was by far my favorite trip and best memory I have visiting after being banned for awhile. By the time we made it back to Uncle Wilson’s place lunch was ready to be served. Nevertheless my mother never even realized we had left. You see that’s how me and Jeff became besties. In a Homestead full of modesty and properly order. We became the Rebels for a good cause. Maybe the other cousins wanted to show me around Kabondo but never had the Courage to go against My Mother(their auntie). But Jeff took a leap of faith and said let’s go. So anytime you see me with Jeff just know, Fear doesn’t reside in us. We take chances and worry about the repercussions later. We tend to live life on the edge.

Part two on how I finally got to spend the night in Kabondo will be shared soon. For now help me wish Jatuka a Happy Birthday 🎂🎁

May you Continue to shine, prosper, excel and take me to see Odongo Swagg. Happy Birthday Jatuka. Cheers to being indifferently different. Uniquely standing out in a world where everyone is trying to fit in…