Sistahood in the Forest

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Photo: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
Canada Day celebration.

Baphile is a girl’s name in Zulu which means, they gave something. Maybe the king gave the family land for farming when she was born or, the family had four sons and wanted a daughter.

Baphile lives in a city. In this scene, she is visiting her grandmother for the December/January holidays.

Baphile: Grandma, you said we were going somewhere important.
Grandma: Yes. We are here.
Baphile: In the forest?
Grandma: Yes, to see your sisters.
Baphile: I see trees and not a single woman in sight.
Grandma: Touch here. Touch it. What do you like about them?
Baphile: Strong, sturdy despite being battered by rain and toasted by the sun.
Grandma: That’s right child. The tree is a woman.
Baphile: Man and woman grandma. All things are in two’s. That’s nature for you.
Grandmother: Point taken. What do they have up there?
Baphile: Branches grandma, remember I used to climb trees with my brothers.
Grandma: That is what is missing, branches.
Baphile: Grandma, you and your riddles.
Grandma: How’s work?
Baphile: Smooth. I’m heading the research and one day I’ll be famous grandma.
Grandma: They’ll ask you about branches.
Baphile: Who?
Grandma: Television people. They’ll ask you about branches. Do you have any branches?
Baphile: Yes, of course the outcome of our research will definitely attract the media.
Grandma: They will still ask you about branches.
Baphile: I’ll travel all over the world.
Grandma: They’ll ask you about branches. Do you have any branches?
Baphile: Grandma, can I ask you a question?
Grandma: I’m listening.
Baphile: What are branches?
Grandma: You figure it out. You are the one with the book knowledge.

 Copyright: Nonqaba waka Msimang. 

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