Oyama: Her Story

CHAPTER 29

If there's one thing us Xhosa people know how to do, is we know how to throw uMgidi. I still remember, Mxolisi's when he came back, yerr he didn't look like himself he was a bit skinnier then when he left, but there was a look of pride and honor on his face when he came back. Then in 2 days' time he was back to his normal size, I thought they were starving him, not gonna lie.
We woke up at 5am, but Mxolisi was up at 4 and left with my other uncles to go and collect Lukhanyo. Me and Phiwe, have been helping chop and dice, even though she doesn't have to, she has such a kind heart. Its so early in the morning, YOH HAIKE BANDLA, I don't even have the energy to talk.
It's now 7:30 AM in Mthatha, and the golden morning light spills over the rooftops and open fields surrounding our homestead. The air is already buzzing with the sounds of laughter, chatter, and the occasional crackle of wood being set alight under giant three-legged pots. Everyone has a role today-there's no room for spectators. The men are gathered around the kraal, voices low and serious as they prepare for the slaughter of the cattle. The chosen Nguni bull stands tall, its glossy hide glinting in the early sunlight. My uncles move with practiced ease, their respect for the moment evident in the deliberate way they work. But another thing, Xhosa men hai, lamdoda they will show up meat, Hell, they will wake up for it, but ask them how many times they'll wake up for their children, tyhini kukaba empty obuhlanti(this Kraal would stand empty).

But, back in the yard, the women are already hard at work. My aunties and cousins peel potatoes, chop onions, and dice butternut while keeping an eye on the bubbling pots of umngqusho and idombolo. There's an unmistakable smell of burning wood mixed with the earthy aroma of simmering food that can only mean one thing: uMgidi is in full swing. Phiwe, is right in the middle of everything. She's been slicing cabbage for the salad with such care you'd think it was a delicate art form. She didn't have to help-no one expects her to lift a finger because of her standing in the family-but that's just who she is.
"Oyama, pass me that dishcloth," she says, wiping her hands after rinsing another batch of vegetables. Her calm presence is a grounding force amid all the chaos. My little cousins, meanwhile, have decided they are in charge of entertaining themselves-and by "entertaining," I mean running around the yard playing soccer with an old ball they found in the garage. Every so often, one of the older women yells at them to move out of the way, but they're too busy shouting at each other to care. As for me, I'm still shaking off the sleep.
It's early, BANDLA, and I don't think my body is built for this level of activity before sunrise. But when I see Mxolisi's face light up as he returns with Lukhanyo, I feel a burst of pride. He looks different-leaner, quieter, like someone who has walked through fire and emerged stronger on the other side. He spots me across the yard and grins, a little shyly.

"Sisi, where's my tea?" he teases, but there's warmth in his voice that wasn't there before.
"Tea? Yhu! Do I look like a teapot to you?" I shoot back, but we're both laughing as I head inside to grab a mug.
Today is going to be long, but it will also be beautiful-full of moments like these, where family and tradition come together to celebrate not just Lukhanyo's return, but everything that makes us who we are.

Its 3pm and they are still celebrating, I have never seen my aunt so happy, that all her boys are now men. I have never so much drinking in one day, the sun hasn't even set yet, yet there's empty bottles all over. YOH. I'm sitting down scrolling on my phone while everyone is around me dancing and eating.
YOH I miss my man; I wonder what he's doing? If someone was to say, 'bang dlisile' ah I wouldn't even fight it. I'd agree in fact, I'd just nod and continue with my day, cause its Qhawe. Like imagine ukungadliswa umuntu ufana no'Qhawe,(being bewitched by someone who isn't Qhawe) hai guys no ways, then I'd be upset, but because its him, I wouldn't mind it.

Khanya walks towards me, he's Malume Sphamandla's first born and the one whose wife tried to get Phiwe to cook, but Mxolisi shut that down really quickly. Lol. I really don't like him, he changed after he came back from the Mountain, had this 50 cent pride, what's worse is that he's 2 years older than Mxolisi, but because Mxolisi went to the mountain before him, he's older and he can't stand that.
"Ndivele ngobetha utata wam?"(I heard you hit my father) he asks.
"Ewe ndimbethile, nawe ufuna ukubethwa yintoni. Ndiyakwazi ukuyiququzelela"(Yes, I beat him, do you also wanna be beaten. I can organize it too) I say in a feisty attitude sitting down looking him dead in the eye.
Mxolisi walks behind him as he tries to step forward, "Wenza ntoni?"(What are you doing)
"Nxa I was just kicking it, with my cousin, heard she was eventful yesterday" he says.
"Mh" nods Mxolisi.