THE "CLEANSING"

Mourning

 

This good Sister's  husband passed away in June or July of 2012.  It has been interesting watching the whole mourning process. For a year she was not allowed to speak in front of people in public (no teaching classes or giving talks etc).  She wore the same style outfit the entire 14 months of mourning.  A navy-blackish  skirt, cape, blouse, and head wrap. The fabric was heavy and woolish.  I don't see how she stood it in the hot, humid summer.  Death is common here and you see many widow in black, young and old.

 

 

I have talked about her before in the blog.  She is a really neat lady three years younger than I am and she never had any children of her own, but she has reared many children that belonged to sisters or others. She is still at it with FuFu the youngest (3 years).

 

Back to the cleansing, after the allotted time of mourning (determined by the deceased's brothers, or his church) they have this big to do.   First two weeks before the "cleansing" celebration some people from his church come and some relatives and they burn and bury her mourning clothes.  Then she has to stay in the house for two weeks, but she can wear regular clothes.  But, basically she is not to go out into public. 

Then starting Sunday morning at 9 or 10 the people from her husband's church come.  They do some singing.  The ladies are dressed in red below.  Then their pastors or minister come and start this ceremony.  People from our church came at 12 after church and it was still going on. I haven't really figured out what she had to be cleansed from, but it was to make her "new". Cleansed from her past life when he was living.  I am not really sure and it has been difficult understand when other Africans try to explain it.  I am not sure they understand it full.  This is culture steeped in deep traditions, "its our way."

 

There were about 30 ladies dressed in their church regalia and they sang and chanted, then the ministers from the church did their ceremonial stuff.

 

 

Then the "cleansed" Sister Nobela emerges in beautiful traditional African clothes.  Fu Fu is there with her.

 

After the "fr la la" the party began,  There were maybe a 100 people there and sister Nobela and her sisters fed them all.  Sister Nobela's sisters were all there and they had made tons of food. Much of the cooking is done outdoors.

 

These enormous pots were completely filled with food.  One was pap (pronounce it pop).  It is a corn maize that is made into this thick mush.  Most people eat it every meal. And they LOVE it.  It is very  bland and sticks to your mouth.  Many eat with their fingers, the youngers one not so much. They scoop up some pap  with the two fingers closest to the thumb, then dip it in the stew. I will make some when I get home. It will be an event,

The plate below is typical of the food: pop, chicken, a beef stew and gravy thing, beets, a salad, sweet potatoes, cold slaw and some other things.  It was very tasty.  I felt funny because the brought this huge plate of food served on a tray.  Everyone else ate on styrofoam containers.  But, it was a fun event.  It was also sun to see Sister Nobel at church the next two Sundays.  She looked pretty smart dressed in  nice outfits, a great head wrap one week and new hair the next.

 

 

 

THE GUESTS

 

There were a lot of people.  The pictures below show some of them.  The first group of pictures are members of our branch.People like to have their pictures taken....The girls to the left are ready for the pose. The two men at the right on the right and left are in the branch Presidency.  The man in the middle is waiting to get baptized.  He loves the church, but his wife will not marry him until he pays the Lebola!  Isssssh is all I can say!

Sister Nobela greeting her guests. Bheksisa (the picture below) is a child she has reared since he was a baby.  He is fourteen now and a character.  He is great with younger children.  The baby is his aunt's.  FuFu that lives with Sister Nobela loves Bheksisa and let me tell you he caters to her every whim.
 



CUTE PEOPLE!!!

  Elder's Quorum Pres. Mashego

He has been a long time member. 

He wants a church building. 

He is putting all of his faith in it.

                                           

 FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Nice outfit on the person in
the center.  It is more traditional.

             THE GREAT AUNTIE OF SISTER NOBELA
                               AND HER SISTERS                              

 She was really into getting her picture taken.  All of the older ladies wear scarf head wraps (they are beautiful) or hats.  You rarely see their natural hair.  Younger women and girls have the very fancy hair do that change every week or so.  Some will wear natural sometimes, but they keep it cut very close to their heads.  But, hair is an event to them and many times I don't recognize them from one week to the next... because of the hair.





Wow.....this was a long blog, but now we are all "cleansed" and ready for the next big event!!

 

 



 

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AN ANYALITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE HISTORICAL VALUE OF THE OUTHOUSE

An outhouse, also commonly known as a privy or earth closet, is a small structure, separate from a main building.  After six months of looking at 200 or so outhouse 5 days a week I have come to some interesting observations regarding the typical  Outhouse where I serve.

 

Architectural Design

There appears to be no common design for the outhouse.  It is left to the imagination to create structures that are intriguing and interesting.  Frank Lloyd Wright would not be able to match to any degree the sophistication in the actual interestingness of these structures.  


Building materials vary and are dependent on the look the builder desires.

Corrugated Steel 

Corrugated steel or tin is popular for those seeking a more modern, industrial look.  The structure can be done in 4 large pieces. Some can have 10 or more pieces put together.  Many times the pieces are picked up on the street and have rust and have other debris to give that aged look.
This particular one is very fancy.  It has all brand new corrugated siding.



 

Wood, Cardboard, Plastic Sheeting

Wood structures are also found.  This building material is preferable for the person that wants a rustic, outdoor look.  The wood is reclaimed wood and is pricey (not).  Often builders will combine it with plastic sheeting and or cardboard to achieve that layered look.

This wooden outhouse is particularly interesting.  The architect designed an slanting rectangle.  It assures that the user keeps  his mind on his business as to not fall off the seat.  There are many reasons for this design, all are not known yet.

Cement Blocks

Cement blocks or bricks are the most preferable building product for the outhouse.  Although not nearly as creative and stylish, they have enhanced durability.
There are many brick and block making yards in the area, so block and brick are readily accessible and reasonable priced, (I guess because people buy them and leave them laying around all over.)

Some people have a hankering for artistic style and will add their own little touches. The tires on the top of this outhouse are a recycled product that is durable and has a look of its own.  In a wind storm they could provide beneficial support to the structure.

 

 Ventilation

Appropriate ventilation is always a concern in this type of structure.  For pleasantness of use, there needs to be a particularly innovative ventilation system.  Below are some personally designed systems to improve the comfort of the user. 



This style was built with big gaps at the roof line for ventilation.
The gaps will allow for unpleasant odors to escape.  (But, I doubt it)






Many outhouses have big plastic pipes for ventilation.  I have not tried one yet, so I am unsure if they are adequate or not.  But, most structures have some type of pipe, therefore we will assume it will works






If these solutions fail to work, then just plain take the door off and cut off the top.  I suspect that this methods works best. I have seen a number of "odious outies" built only half way up.

It is all about Location 

As with all real-estate  location is everything.  The placement for the "outies" is most unusual and adds to their charm.



For the exercise minded person, putting the structure on a hillside makes perfect sense.  It allows to improve fitness in more ways than one.


The two below are on a steeper hillside.  This make for great exercise, especially for night jaunts with little lighting.  Falling all over the uneven terrain and rocky pathways proves challenging, event for the most proficient exercise buff.




Interestingly, this house allows full neighbor view from above. It has increased the property value of the higher "outie" estate.

The preferred location of the "outie" seems to be in the front yard right next to the road.

It is a logical placement 
because when you come out of it in the mornings your neighbors will be there and you all can catch up on the local news.  

However, there are those that value more privacy and select a more secluded location.  High on a hill......Or, hidden back in the bushes

                
                          

 

 

The Social Contributions of the Outhouse

Society has been long indebted to the outhouse.  For centuries it has been the place of profound meditation or sparks of creativity. The number of inventions created in the mind of someone visiting the outhouse cannot be numbered.

Outhouses are so significant to social interaction that it would be bad without them.  Notice these four neighbors have placed these outhouse in a corner of their property so they can be near each other.  Imagine the interesting conversations.

Below they share the property line.

Some individuals have simplified the need for social interaction.  Instead of individual "outies", they have 3 or 4 seaters.

All in all, the outhouse is and has been a unique and interesting contribution to society.  To all my friends, may I suggest that when you flush today you have a little prayer of gratitude!

 

Thoughts from beautiful South Africa