For centuries we have watched and we have listened. Listened to the wind; watched the flowering and shedding of leaf and shrub. Listened to birdsong; watched the movement of termite. Listened to the croak of frog, watched the movement of the river. Through listening and watching, we have been able to advise; to suggest the time for preparation and the sowing of seed. Our story of weather-telling is very long. My family has been given a crucial task: we are the guardians of sacred knowledge.

I am an Omukimba,
A weather forecaster.
From a clan named Nyganyi,
Of the people called Luhya,
Who live in Western Kenya.

But along came climate change. It brought disruption with it; desperation too. Then the scientist and government man came as well. He who has satellite and computer, I with reed and pot. We sat down together, to educate each other; to discuss, to inform: to talk of time. The old rainmaker and the young scientist. Between ancient knowledge and modern methods, we shall help the people of Kenya.

I am an Omukimba,
A weather forecaster.
From a clan named Nganyi,
Of the people called Luhya,
Who live in Western Kenya

People of my litala, do not worry. We shall adapt, we shall learn to cope. What I have learnt from the modern weatherman I shall tell you. Because of knowledge gathered, of the old and the new, we shall go through. There will be maize, there will be sorghum. The gift from God called rain.

I am an Omukimba,
A weather forecaster.
From a clan named Nganyi,
Of the people called Luhya ,
Who live in Western Kenya

© Natty Mark Samuels, 2010.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY PAMBAZUKA NEWS

* Natty Mark Samuels is a poet based in Oxford, UK.
* Please send comments to [email protected] or comment online at Pambazuka News.

NOTES
Litala - Village
Omukimba - Rainmaker