“The sisters are coming. It's going to get noisy.”
In Kenya, sometimes in families there are a lot of sisters and brothers. Karmushu Tema has three wives and one of the wives has ten children.
The youngest son, Masingot, graduated from college with a business administration degree and that is a family affair.
Barb Veale and I were invited with the family and community to celebrate with him. Children were everywhere, dressed in their finest, a few wore matching shirts that said, “Congratulations Uncle. “
Along with an amazing meal for everyone we were given a water bottle labeled "Congratulations Masingot Tema." It had a photo of him in his cap and gown.
The sisters sang as they walked him down to a ceremony in front of a very large shade tent with guests and sound system.
Masingot was covered with a blanket as he knelt and then emerged. This was all in Swahili but we got the idea.
There were a lot of speeches and I was asked by an uncle to say something about life's journey.
My mind could only come up with what I told my children: ‘If you choose what you love you never have to get up and go to work."
But I also told them that my son loved to argue and I suggested to him that he might want to be a lawyer.
My words were translated into Swahili as I spoke. Their language is beautiful.
Masingot cut his cake and it was served to him on a plate. Before he took a taste he turned and gave a bite first to his mother and then to his father.
I witnessed true Masai love and respect for family.
As Barb said to me, “They all love each other no matter what side of the blended family they are on.”
Love that is deep-seated with respect As the Masai celebrate a young person's graduation they will also celebrate and put up a shade tent to celebrate as a young man becomes a warrior.
