Paying homage to ancestors

We have previously discussed kusumira in general and provided a generic method of how it is done. The question is: under what circumstances do we sumira? Kusumira should not be confused with the Christian prayers that are said before eating a meal or retiring to bed, on a daily basis. In African Traditional Religion, kusumira is done as and when there is need to inform the ancestors about something or request for their assistance/protection.

Lets look at examples of instances where  parents should sumira on behalf of their children. At birth, the parents should inform the paternal and maternal ancestors of the addition to the family, thank them and request for their assistance in bringing up a healthy and well-behaved child who will be a pride of the clan.

When the child starts school, the parents should inform the ancestors of this milestone and request for their assistance in school life and work. The child will now be interacting with other children from different backgrounds and protection will be required from dangers associated with such interactions, especially on the choice of friends. This also applies when the child is starting tertiary education and parents can now add request for wisdom in love affairs. At the point, the child should be present when doing kusumira so that he/she can learn from a tender age.

If, at any point, the child has to relocate and live somewhere else such as boarding school or with other people or out of the country, the parents should sumira.  When the child starts working and earning a living the issues become more complicated. At this point mashave, the working or hunter alien spirits, the ones that wear retso, now come into the picture. In carrying out kusumira as described last week, a fourth pinch of snuff will now be required for dedication to all mashave of the family. The ancestors are advised of the milestone and requested for wisdom, intelligence strength and protection.

Lastly, on marriage, the first kusumira around this ritual of roora/lobola is done by the boy’s parents by dedicating the cash and any other items such as groceries       that will be taken to the girl’s parents. On receipt of the roora/lobola, the girl’s parents should also dedicate the cash and items to their ancestors.
The above are a few examples for the reader to get an idea of kusumira on behalf of a child. There will be many other instances in the life of a child, where the parent is required to inform the ancestors as well as request for assistance and protection.

Mbuya VaChinjanja Muroro is a Development Practitioner with a passion for Cultural Heritage and can be reached at mbuyavachinjanjamuroro@gmail.com