I had a conversation with my grandmother about her belief in ancestors and Christianity.
First I made my grandmother watch an episode of Black conversations on Mzansi Magic. I proceeded with the interview after I layered out a context for her.
Did you enjoy the show?
Ans: Yes, even though I could not understand most of what was said because they use complex English.
What did you enjoy about it?
Ans: From the parts that I could understand, I heard that they spoke about ancestors and the bible. The lady who chaired the session said she does not embrace her ancestors. This made me remember a pastor that came to our church last Sunday. He said that we must stop doing our rituals, so I enjoyed the show because it made me remember of that church service.
So, does that mean we will we stop holding ceremonies where we cook for ancestors?
Ans: No. Ancestors heal us; you must always remember that.
What about what the pastor said you must do?
Ans: He does not understand what he was saying. Here in this village, we practice both, every pastor that visits our church knows that.
He was a guest pastor.
Ans: Yes.
Do you think about being a pastor one day?
Ans: No. It was enough that I used to heal people with herbs. Plus, I cannot speak for a long time like our pastor does. I cannot read either, you know this.
Yes, I know. At what grade did you stop schooling?
Ans: Standard B. I believe now it is called grade 2. I left during break time because someone had to look after my father’s cattle.
If times were different, would you go back to school?
Ans: Yes. I believe I have the brains for school because I learned how to count from watching and listening to you guys.
It seems like you are quick to learn when you are taught. Tell me how you learned to be a nyanga (herbalist).
Ans: My mother in-law taught me everything there is to know about herbs. She used to send me around to find a particular herb. She used to say that you will be able to distinguish it from how it smells. It was difficult and she was very strict as well. Remember, I was married young so to me she was like a mother, so I understood why she treated me like a child sometimes. I managed to learn everything because I was more like a child than a wife. My husband was away for almost a year, working in the mines in Johannesburg, so I was with her all the time.
When did you start doing the healing process by yourself?
Ans: When she passed on people continued to visit. I think they believed that I knew how to heal as well because I spent most of my time with her. They were correct, of course because I discovered that I could do what she used to do as well.
Enkosi, for sharing.
Ans: Enkosi.
This piece was written as part of the Fundza Fellowship Programme.