| Kindling
Fire for the Nkaji Naibor:
You need a little patience to watch this video, most of which is
in darkness. Kindling a woman’s first house fire is an arduous process.
Elders kindle the fire (Samburu women are not supposed to kindle fire,
but rather nurture them) in the evening of the day the nkaji naibor (ceremonial
house for the bride) is constructed. This clip is of the tail end, just
before and as the fire comes alive. It lights for a moment, then dies
down, and then finally it springs into full life. Watching the whole thing—with
the men discussing what they were doing and working so patiently—was
exciting! |
