I am making a conscience effort at finding things to laugh about but yesterday, I was talking to my husband and thought of the smooth pick up line from Tom and Jerry. Check out what he says here and here.
I had a good internal massage while thinking, is this what we used to watch? Clearly though, it must have made an impression if I remember it so many years later.
Hehehe … so I came across a video circulating on the Zambian web that left me needing to punch something before I even finished watching it. It was one of those things that leave you feeling like someone has come into your home, urinated on everything, and walked away without taking anything but your dignity.
Okay maybe not so serious, but you get the point. I went on youtube looking for this video, where a young American man did little research about the country Zambia, our home and claimed to be cooking our food and called whatever mess he cooked Nshima and Ndiwo … then he went on to make very disrespectful and ignorant comments. I found no videos on the My food trek channel and after googling, understood why … 😂He had met Zed Twitter. Even after he had posted an apology and taken down all related videos, Zambians were still commenting and sharing the video so other Zambians could see … and oh my ribs at the comments. Reminded me of the #lintonlies Twitter war that was sparked by Louise Linton when she more than embellished her experiences during a 1999 Gap year she spent in Zambia.
On a serious note, though, Americans need to learn that you do not invite yourself into someone’s home and insult them like the my food trek video guy; or get welcomed into someone’s home, like Ms Linton, and then insult them and that is why we as Zambians felt so passionate about making it known that this was not okay
I have been feeling a bit sorry for myself lately and while watching a woman talking on Facebook, heard this song. Haven’t heard it in a while but it reminds me of God’s good grace and even as I am typing this, I find myself unable to contain my smile. It’s a song from the Bemba language, one of the many in Zambia, and a huge part of my heritage. When translated it says, “when you see me dancing, singing, rejoicing and carrying on, I am doing it for God because He has brought me this far, because of His “luse.” The word Uluse or ‘luse encompasses different English words. It speaks of mercy, compassion, grace and in some instances forgiveness; it is used when we feel sorry for someone, or when we ask for forgiveness or mercy. God’s mercies are undying; he waits on us patiently and His compassion has always been my rock. Our standing is based totally and wholly on His mercy. The song talks about a difference that should be seen in us Christians, that despite our circumstances, we should exude joy. The singer talks about people wondering about what His secret is because when others lack, God provides for him, and when tragedy befalls him, he is still joyful. So when you see me smiling, dancing or carrying on, know I have much to be grateful for and it is all by His grace. Hope it blesses you as you dance to it 🙂
So yesterday, I was at work, and right in the middle of attending to a client, this song that my mum sometimes sings and I don’t have a title for it, but every time that I remember this song, it doesn’t leave my system for days. The sad thing though is, I can never seem to remember the words and eventually the tune evades me too, and I am left with this itch and a need to sing a song that I can’t remember. So I messaged mum last night and asked her for the words and in the process, I remembered the tune. Mum sent me two audios and lyrics and I keep playing the audio. There’s something soothing about my mum singing that song and it doesn’t feel like I am playing the song over and over. Whenever I was away from home or from my family, I prided myself in not missing my parents, but after not living with mum for just over 4 months, I think I miss her. Key words being “I think.” I’m also beginning to think that maybe, (just maybe) this is a song I will be singing to my children.
Blessings on a hill 