Four women carrying  black coffin on a wheelbarrow

THIS LIFE…..BY PHILIP CHIRWA  

 IT WAS obvious from the look of disbelief and amazement on their faces that the residents of Lusaka’s New Kabwata and Kabwata Estates had never seen anything like it before.

In fact, some of them even wished they hadn’t been around to witness the spectacle because they considered  it a bad omen.

The question on everybody’s lips was: “But how and why?”

No matter how one looked at it, the whole thing just didn’t make sense; for it was taboo in African tradition.

One could see that some people were willing to help but somehow some invisible force was telling them: “Don’t.”

For here were four women carrying a black painted coffin on a wheelbarrow without a man accompanying them. The coffin, apparently made of cheap wood and measuring about two metres in length, was placed on the wheelbarrow at an angle.

While one woman pushed the wheelbarrow, another walked in front, keeping the coffin in place. The other two women just wept, tears dripping down their cheeks. The sight  was as shocking as it was saddening.

One woman  in New Kabwata could not stand the sight and she broke down and wept openly.

Just by looking at it, one could not tell whether the coffin was empty or contained a body. What was true, however, was that the coffin was quite heavy because the woman pushing  the wheelbarrow kept on staggering.

Now and then, the women would stop by the roadside and rest, then resume their journey to God knows where.

Everybody was baffled: just what was happening? How did it happen that a group of women had been left alone to carry a coffin which, according to African tradition, was supposed to be done by men only?

Yes, in Africa, women could bury stillborn babies on their own but  never adults.

But then here they were, members of the fairer sex struggling with an adult’s coffin.

Subsequent inquiries by this columnist  revealed  an even more shocking story.  Actually, the four grief stricken women were carrying the coffin to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary to collect a relative’s body for burial.

It all happened on a  Saturday in May that year at about 10:00 hours. A group of marketeers at the Chitukuko Market in Kabwata Site and Service township were attracted by a strange sight of two weeping women carrying a coffin on their shoulders while a younger woman with a baby in her arms followed from behind.

It was completely unheard of in an African society for women to carry a coffin on their shoulders, and so the marketeers were naturally shocked. One of the marketeers accosted the bereaved women and asked them what was happening.

The marketeer broke down and wept when she learnt that one of the pall bearers was the widow of the man whom they were going to bury at the Leopard’s Hill Cemetery that day.

The widow explained to the marketeers that she and her late husband had come from Katete in the Eastern Province.

“My husband had been very sick and he was transferred from Katete to UTH.  I accompanied him here together with these two relatives of mine. Unfortunately, after some time, he died,” she told the marketeers.

The widow said that she had no relatives in Lusaka. Thus, after her husband’s death, she and her relatives went to Misisi  Compound to seek assistance from whoever could help them in burying her late husband.

The widow approached a section chairman who refused to have anything to do with her problem. Meanwhile, her husband’s body lay in the UTH  mortuary for four days before she found a good Samaritan from the nearby Chibolya Compound who made a coffin for her.

One of the marketeers offered her a wheelbarrow to take the coffin to the mortuary; she also joined in pushing the machine. Naturally, as the four women walked along, they created quite a scene.

On being asked who was going to wash her husband’s body in the mortuary, the widow  replied: “I will do it. There is no one else who can do it since we have no relatives here.” 

She then prayed to the Almighty God to forgive all those who had refused to assist her.

As the four women carrying the coffin approached Kabwata Clinic, a kind woman motorist  offered them a lift in her vanette to the mortuary and the Chitukuko marketeer returned to her stall with her wheelbarrow.

At the mortuary, humanism was put into practice as many mourners attending other funerals mobilised themselves to assist the Katete widow and her relatives not only in washing the body but also in burying it at the cemetery.

The mourners also helped in raising funds for the widow and her relatives for their transport back to Katete.

AND NOW FOR LOVELINES

NOTE: Please note that for one to be eligible for connection, whether as an applicant or a respondent, one needs to pay a membership fee of K50,000, valid for one year. Those residing outside Zambia, whether Zambians or non-Zambians, are required to pay a membership fee equivalent to US$50, also valid for one year. Membership fees are payable to the columnist, Philip Chirwa, at the address given at the end of this column.

MALE APPLICANTS

MA. 427. He is a 56-year-old Lusaka-based businessman looking for a lady aged between 35 and 45 who should have a caring heart, God-fearing, with or without children, weighing between 75 and 80kg, in steady employment or business.

MA.429. He is a 47-year-old Lusaka-based media consultant, single and without children. He is 1.75m tall, of medium height, and his hobbies include reading, watching soccer and movies, listening to country and gospel music, and adventure. He is looking for a partner aged between 29 and 34 who should be caring and adventurous, preferably someone in the health field, a northerner or easterner, someone mature, an active Catholic, cheerful and weighing between 58 and 65 kg.

MA.435. He is a 33-year-old Luangwa man in formal employment, divorced with a 7-year-old son. He is 1.6m tall, weighs 55kg and his hobbies include listening to rhumba, country and Zambian music and travelling. He is looking for a partner aged between 20 and 28, preferably a nurse, police officer, teacher or unemployed, who should be reasonably fat, naturally brown in complexion and understanding.

MA.437. He is a 40-year-old Indian guy, single and without children. A degree-holder, he is 1.75m tall, weighs 65kg and his hobbies include travelling, watching movies and listening to music. He is seeking the company of an Indian girl who should be very flexible and accommodating. Those interested call 095-800199.

MA. 440. He is a 48-year-old businessman with an 18-year-old daughter. He is 1.8m tall and well built. His hobbies include socialising and business. He is looking for an Asian or Coloured lady aged between 20 and 22 who should be business-minded, non-smoker, sociable, cooperative, understanding, caring and loving.

MA.443. He is a 40-year-old Lusaka man in middle management, divorced with four children, the youngest being 8 years old. He is 1.6m tall, of average build and his hobbies include watching football, going to church, travelling, “businessing” and helping people. He is looking for a partner aged 18 and above who should be fair in complexion but beautiful, reasonably fat, with one or two children or none, in steady employment or , if unemployed, willing to start a business under his sponsorship, someone God-fearing and serious about marriage.

MA.444. He is a 50-year-old Lusaka man in formal employment, widowed with three children aged l8, l4 and l1. He is l.65m tall, weighs 80kg and his hobbies include adventure, game viewing, watching football and listening to music. He is looking for a partner aged between 30 and 40 who should be presentable, in steady employment or business, divorced or widowed with one child or none, someone understanding, loving and caring.

MA.445. He is a 39-year-old Lusaka businessman, widowed with two children aged 13 and 7. He is 1.78m tall, weighs 90kg and his hobbies include sports, listening to music and watching movies. He is looking for a partner aged between 29 and 35 who should be of medium height and weight, light in complexion, working or unemployed, preferably a widow with not more than two children or none.

FEMALE APPLICANTS

FA.638.  She is a 53-year-old business lady, divorced with three daughters and two sons. She is 1.56 metres tall, weighs 86kg and her hobbies include cooking/baking, listening to gospel music and watching TBN. A Pentecostal born again Christian, she is looking for a partner aged between 54 and 64 who should be a divorcee or widower, non-smoker, non-drinker, willing to undergo HIV test, and can be of any nationality.

FA.639. She is a 26-year-old Kabwe-based teacher, single with a one child. She is 1.6m tall, weighs 62kg and her hobbies include sports, listening to music, watching TV and visiting places. She is looking for a partner aged between 28 and 35 who should be in steady employment, single, divorced or widowed with one or two children, of noble character, God-fearing, someone understanding, loving and caring.

FA.640. She is a 29-year-old Lusaka lady, widowed without children. She is 1.53m tall, weighs 65kg and her hobbies include listening to slow music, cooking, going out places, sightseeing and watching movies. She is looking for a partner aged between 30 and 40 who should be in steady employment or business, widower or single, tall, well built, someone understanding, caring and romantic with or without children.

FA.641. She is a 28-year-old Lusaka receptionist, single and without children. She is of medium height and weight, and her hobbies include travelling, watching soccer, letter writing and making friends. She is looking for a partner aged between 30 and 35 who should be single and without children, in steady employment, God-fearing, Zambian or non-Zambian.

FA.642. She is a 31-year-old pre-primary schoolteacher, single with a 13-year-old daughter. She is 1.55m tall, weighs 55kg and her hobbies include playing netball, listening to music, and meeting people. She is looking for a partner aged between 32 and 40 who should be tall, of medium size, with not more than two children or none, someone understanding, loving and caring.

FA.643. She is a 23-year-old Kitwe lady, single and without children. She is of medium height and weight, and her hobbies include listening to good music, reading romantic novels, watching romantic movies, cooking and making friends. She is looking for a partner aged between 28 and 35 who should be kind, loving and caring, responsible, smart with a great sense of humour, with one or two children or none, white or black.

FA.644. She is a 48-year-old Lusaka lady in formal employment, divorced with two children aged 22 and 15. She is 1.5m tall, weighs 79kg and her hobbies include farming, listening to gospel and traditional music, and watching TV. She is looking for a partner aged between 50 and 60 who should be taller than her, understanding, caring and loving, preferably a fellow divorcee with or without children.

FA.646. She is a 39-year-old Kabwe-based secretary, divorced with three children aged 19,  11 and 5. She is of average height and plump, and her hobbies include listening to music, watching Zambian soaps and Nigerian Super Story, and cooking. She is looking for a partner aged between 45 and 50 who should be tall, in employment or business, God-fearing and well built.

FA.647.  She is a 23-year-old Lusaka university graduate, single and without children. She is 1.7m tall, weighs 55kg and her hobbies include cooking, reading novels, outdoor life and cycling,. She is looking for a partner aged between 27 and 32 who should be  medium fat, in stable employment, well educated, understanding, loving and caring.

FA.648. She is a 36-year-old Lusaka-based educationist, divorced with an 11-year-old son. She  is of average height, weighs 75kg and her hobbies include singing, reading, watching movies and travelling. She is looking for a partner aged between 39 and 45 years, in steady employment or business, a divorcee or widower willing to go for VCT, someone tall, understanding, loving and caring.

FA.650. She is a 33-year-old Lusaka widow with three children aged 6, 10 and 15. She is 1.56m tall, weighs 58kg and her hobbies include acting, listening to gospel music and cooking. She is looking for a partner aged 40 or above, preferably a widowed soldier, policeman or paramilitary officer,  someone understanding, loving and caring.

FA.651.. She is a 42-year-old Lusaka widow with a 20-year-old son. She is 1.72m tall, weighs 75kg and her hobbies include cooking, listening to gospel music and watching good and decent movies. She is looking for a partner aged between 40 and 50 who should be in steady employment or business, preferably a widower with not more than three children, someone understanding, loving and caring.

FA.652. She is a 42-year-old Ndola-based educationist, widowed with two children aged 18 and 9. She is 1.72m tall, weighs 75kg and her hobbies include cooking, watching movies, listening to gospel music and meeting friends. She is looking for a partner aged between 43 and 50 who should be in steady employment or business, God-fearing

FA.653.She is a 44-year-old caterer, widowed with two children aged 19 and 12. She is 1.7m tall, weighs 75kg and her hobbies include cooking, watching football and listening to music. She is looking for a partner aged between 50 and 55 who should be in stable employment or business, someone God-fearing, understanding, loving and caring.

FA.654. She is a 27-year-old Ndola sales representative, divorced with two children aged 8 and 3 years. She is 1.62m tall, weighs 70kg and her hobbies include cooking, travelling, socialising and listening to gospel music. She is looking for a partner aged between 30 and 40 who should be in steady employment or business, preferably a divorcee, with not more than four children, someone understanding, loving and caring.

FA.655. She is a 51-year-old business lady, divorced with five children aged 22, 20,18,15 and 12. She is 1.5m tall, weighs  65kg and her hobbies include travelling, listening to gospel  music and making friends. She is looking for a partner aged between 53 and 60 who should be God-fearing, in stable employment business, a divorcee or widower, someone understanding, loving and caring.

FA.656. She is a 32-year-old Lusaka lady, single with a five-year-old child. She is 1.75m tall, weighs 65kg and her hobbies include listening to gospel music, watching movies and making friends. She is looking for a partner aged between 35 and 40 who should be mature, in steady employment or business, someone understanding, loving and caring.

FA.657. She is a 29-year-old Lusaka lady, single and without children. She is 1.56m tall, weighs 68kg and her hobbies include making friends, travelling and listening to gospel music. She is looking for a partner aged between  30 and 40 who should be in steady employment or business, a divorcee or widower with not more than two children or none, someone understanding, mature and loving.

FA.658. She is a 42 year old Livingstone based lecturer, widowed with one child.  She is of average height, weighs 64kg and her hobbies include listening to gospel and country music, reading, sightseeing and making friends. She is looking for a partner aged between 44 and 55 who should be in steady employment or business, preferably a Catholic like her, someone understanding, loving and caring.

FA.659. She is a 42 year old Livingstone accounts clerk, single  with two children. She is 1.5m tall, weighs 79kg and never been married before. Her hobbies include  listening to country and gospel music, watching decent movies and sightseeing. She is looking for a partner aged between 45 and 55 who should be in steady employment or business, God fearing, loving and caring.

So if you are single, in gainful employment or business, divorced or widowed, and genuinely in need of a partner to marry, write to:  Mr. Philip Chirwa, Kepros Dating Agency, c/o Zambia Printing Company, Kabelenga Road, P.O. Box 39570, Lusaka, or call Cell: 097-860679/097-408564 or email: keprosdating@yahoo.com. Only those who pay the appropriate membership fee as described at the beginning of this column need apply.