Cross-cultural Gifts

By Stephen Greek

“My daughter has come from overseas to see me!” Elizabet Agutu declared when she saw Belinda.  She shook hands with her and embraced her, touching her cheeks to both sides of Belinda’s face.  She greeted each of the other female guests in a similar fashion, but as she saw the grey-haired white man she got on her knees and approached him with humility.  Unaccustomed to this show of respect, everyone was relieved when she held his hand and got back to her feet.  She invited the four visitors into the mud house where the old Luhya woman had lived alone since the death of her husband and her only daughter.  

The firewood in the corner and the small charcoal stove on the dirt floor explained the pungent, but pleasant, smell of wood smoke in the house. A large “quilted” sheet, draped over sisal twine, spanned the room separating a private sleeping area from the living area. The sheet was made of a colorful array of cloth remnants sewn together to form a beautiful, but modest, room divider. 

When all the wazungu  wageni (non-African visitors) were seated, the old widow broke into song.  Chris Otsieno translated the song of praise and thanks that ended in a blessing.  In her benediction she said, “Thanks to God who has given you eyes to see poor people. If I had not received the monthly ration of food, I would be dead.” Belinda indicated that she had brought a special gift for Mrs Agutu.  As soon as she presented the blue dress to the old woman, she disappeared behind the curtain, donned the dress, and came out to show her visitors.  Elizabet sang again, but this time broke into dance as well.  She said she wanted to wear it to Sunday worship, but she could not wait, so she wore it for the rest of the day and the next day as well.

Elizabet excused herself and walked outside. As she exited her home, all the visitors exchanged knowing glances.  She was looking for a chicken.  She had expressed her gratitude in the previous year by binding the feet of a chicken together and handing the gift to Belinda, and this year was no different.  As she handed the gift over, it pooped on Belinda’s arm, which brought smiles to some of the onlookers and a relatively strong gag reflex to others.  Elizabet does not know enough English to understand the words, “Would someone hand me a Wet Wipe fast?” so she interpreted the smiles as delight.  The fact is everyone was delighted and moved with the beauty of the gift.  Mrs. Agutu asked if it were possible to take a chicken to the United States because she could select something easier to travel with if necessary.  She was assured that the chicken was the perfect present.  The cross-cultural exchange has been, and continues to be, a blessing to both women and to those who hear of their relationship.