Several days prior to graduation two friends from the U.S. arrived to represent my American family and friends. Maureen Phelan became my "sister" and constant companion, helping me throughout the two weeks that she was there. Jessie Haugabook took video tape of various events. It was so good to have them there.The celebration began Friday evening and continued until Monday with food, drumming, dancing, and ceremony throughout. Many of the guests stayed three or more days.
Gretchen's Graduation Day
The "tests" began on Thursday afternoon when I had to find and identify the cow that was a gift to my ancestors from the Mntshali family. On Friday, visitors, including neighboring sangomas, began to arrive. The drumming and dancing started about 9:00 p.m. and continued for three days. Saturday was the actual graduation when qualification took place. Throughout the day I was involved in rituals, ceremonies, dancing, and finding hidden things like my goat. It was an incredibly sacred experience with great celebration. The Africans definitely know how to have fun!
Life Back to Normal
After all the festivities were over, the rhythm of life returned
to normal. Days were filled with working around the homestead, cleaning my goat skin, cooking, and carrying water back to the house either from the tank or the reservoir. Two Peace Corps Volunteers working in Mauritania visited during this time. I met Tanya Quinn in California prior to her leaving for Africa and kept in touch via e-mail. She and a friend, Shona, were on a holiday, exploring Africa and came to Swaziland to see me.
