CHAPTER 45
THE BIRTH OF A SON MUKAMA
The signs which show that the new-born son is a Mukama are these, but all of them are subject to the approval of the elders:-
a) The first sign is the appearance of some kind of worms immediately after the birth. These worms may come from the body of either the mother or the child. These worms show that the child has been singled out for dedication to the spirit of Mukama. The second sign is the presence of any defect on the body of the child.
b) An old person can become Mukama in the following manner:- he may fall seriously ill or have patches like leprosy on his body; on the other hand, his whole household may fall seriously ill. If any of these signs appear it is up to the person concerned to enquire from the wise men, usually witch-doctors.
In either of the cases a) and b) the person affected is named Mukama and he is further dedicated to Mukama. The ceremony of dedication is a very important one. A house is specially built for him; this house is surrounded by a fence of reeds. In addition to his house, sacrifices are made to the new Mukama. If he is a child, then the mother and child are obliged to live in the new house until the child grows up; but if he is an adult, he lives in the house until the fulfilment of certain rites.
Any child that is dedicated to Mukama must not be seen by his father until the time the child comes of age. Even the father’s brothers are bound by the same rule until the ceremony of bringing Mukama out to the public is performed. This ceremony is performed by a group of professional witches. They do it for a salary which is determined by themselves and, however high that salary may be, Mukama or his father has to pay it. After the ceremony the house is pulled down.
In most cases these Mukamas are heathens who worship ghosts and trees. They never eat mutton, fish or anything that has the smell of fish. Fish must be kept far away from Mukama’s house or home. He is given a spotted dog which is named Mukama. Traditionally, such a person is born among members of Ngobi clan only.