Bushmen have been described as naturally
gregarious, and this was evident in the
wholesome happiness they exhibited when we
visited them. One sister told me that they reject
anything that might cause personal antagonism.
They try to share everything, and even avoid
ownership of property. Once, when we were
surrounded by children, I was told ‘If there are
six children and you give them two sweets, they
will take the sweets and divide them with their
teeth until there are six equal parts, and then they
will eat together.
As we approached each Community, we were met with singing and dancing as we were led to the meeting place for discussion and news concerning the water projects. |
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Sr Bertha MSC, Provincial, and Fr De Sa, our expert advisor on water projects and local conditions. |
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Sr Bertha, the MSC Provincial, Sr Sieglinde and
I were the visitors. The local leader was Damian
Lebereki and |
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| Ladislaus (note-taker), Ferdinand
and Engelbert. We managed to obtain a loan of a
4x4 vehicle from a nearby mission and for two
days visited the people of Huguis, Aminuis and
Tuguis. Only once was there the possibility of
being bogged in the sand. Fortunately we had a
good guide to direct us along the best tracks in the
desolate wastes of the desert. |
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As we discussed the
questions of the transport
of tanks, pumps, pipes
etc, it became all too
clear that there was a lack
of practical knowledge
among the locals.
Fortunately we could
assure them that Fr
Walter De Sa, a hardworking
Priest, originally
from the USA, was
willing to visit them and
assist with transport and
the erection of tanks etc.
in traditonal
Here ro dress
Sr Claudia MSC 3 . |
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A water project at
Aminuis village,
supported by the
MSC Mission
Office. |
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He (De Sa) had worked in the area for 35 years
and was experienced, practical and generous
with his time and talents.
So after three days of travel, meeting and
negotiating, laughter and listening, we achieved
a great result. When the people thanked me for
my efforts, I replied ‘Thank our benefactors and
please pray for them, their families and friends.’ |
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A meeting in progress at Huguis village where
we discussed a water project for the people
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| The Hereros | ||||||||||
Fr De Sa, our
expert advisor on
water projects
and local
conditions.
This remarkable group of people can be found in
Southern Namibia. In 1904 there took place one
of Namibia’s worst colonial wars in which the
Hereros were virtually decimated. But they
proved their resilience and today are a proud
cultural group with unique customs. The men are great cattle farmers |
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|
and celebrated
warriors. The women are renowned for their ultraconservative
but extremely
attractive habit of wearing full
ankle-length dresses with a
large, distinct headdress. It was
the wivesof the Lutheran
missionaries who introduced
this type of dress towards the
end of the 19th Century. |
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| Gondi, the sister of Sr Claudia MSC, in traditonal Herero dress | ||||||||||
one distinctive custom of the
Hereros is to maintain a
sacred fire in the centre of
each village which is not
allowed to go out. When a
family moves to a new
place the sacred fire is
carefully carried with them.
Our MSC Mission
Office is assisting with a
new settlement for the
Hereros where, as
yet, there is no
water supply. |
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| Sr Claudia MSC | ||||||||||
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