Hi book worms 🪱 .this is a true story, I might add a few things here and there, but it's based on true events, so before I start let me give you a little insight about the Norms and cultural ways of the ovaherero people. Or maybe I will write about it
At the beginning of every chapter, because I don't want to bore you, I just want you guys to understand.So the ovaherero tribe basically lives in extended families, by extended I mean grandma's sisters kids and uncle's , brothers and cousins doesn't matter how close or farther related .as long as they are related they are welcome, you will find 40 people in one homestead. They circumcise their boys as early as 8days, boys that are circumcised in the same year form a brotherhood for life.
**************************************In the late hours of a peaceful Sunday, before the last sun rays fade, under an old tree , behind the kraal Magdalena let out a strong scream ending her excruciating labour ,at the same time her new born let out his first cry, letting the world know that a Man is born, she held him in her arms as they watched the sun finally going down, the midwife then took them inside the hut shetook the new born and bathed him befor she gave him back to his mother, then made a thin soft porridge for Magdalena to drink, while the baby lay soundly next to her
Godfrey Magdalenas husband had gone out hunting with his cousin, they where quite the opposite of each other, Godfrey's father was a German, making Godfrey a half herero . he was a tall light skined man with soft gray eyes, sarcastic and teasing man, he was always provoking someone where he was, he would play pranks on his own kids and wife, while his cousin Ujee was a serious and superstitious he believed that his forefathers spirits watch over him,Ujee was a very tall man with thick bones, he was as black as the night with white round eyes, his hair was a strong curl ,he was the typical herero,while hunting Godfrey shoots and killed a kudu, Ujee tells him "you shot a huge male kudu, that is a sign that your wife will give birth to a very special baby boy "
"Now now Ujee you know I don't believe in such things, I already know that I am getting a boy child,"But did you also know that he is special?
"Well, only you know that right?
"Right, but he is already born by the way. Now come let's cut the kudu open and put it on the horses, it's a long walk back home, maybe 2days and one night?
"1day and 1night if you don't tire your horse wit extra wight.The walk back home was an easy one, even though it eas a bit far, they only walkd for a day,they were both excited to see the new born boy, Godfrey especially , he named him Mukendo (people are botherd by other people's things,) but he also gave him an English name Urbans.
Six moths later, Magdalena is expecting again and Urbans is always sick, today Magdalena's brother Usiel came to visit, together with his wife Godfrey's sister Hedwig, the couples decide that it's best if Usiel and his wife take Urbans as their child since he is always sick and his mother is pregnant.
Hedwig takes care of Magdalena for two weeks until she gets better , the next day they travel back to their village which is 50 kilometers away, Urbans is still a baby but he is welcomed in the family as if he was born there, they slaughter a bull for him and they take the skin to make his blanket. Hedwig and her husband Usiel make sure that the child gets proper medical attention, he is taken to private doctors , they feed him well until he is back to being a bubbly noisy baby.One day Urbans is struggling to stand on his own,at 9moths, he is expected to be crawling around the house, but it seems like the little boy wants to skip that and just start walking .Usiel looks at the boy with adoration, the lad is rather stubborn and strong headed for his age, he watch as the boy stands up supporting himself with a chair then he let go he stands for a few seconds and then he falls again, this goes on for an hour, the boy stands and he giggles when he falls he cry but tries again.
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It is just the first chapter, and I am trying my best, I know the first chapter is a little boring but please bare with me.also please feel free to to give constructive criticism I will appreciate it.
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The Fading Culture
Non-FictionThis is a story about the fading culture of the ovaherero people, the ovaherero tribe is in Africa in a small country Namibia, the tribe is known to be proud and stubborn, this is a true story about Urbans , adopted by his Aunt and uncle...