The scotch cart rides

With the advent of technology, the distance between places seems to have become shorter.

It may seem like a crazy statement but back in the day, moving from one place to the other took some time.Now someone can wake up in one country and sleep two or more countries away…

Interesting …

In those days unless we had gone to Shurugwi with my father ,WaMambo in the family car, traveling from one grandmother to the other would be by scotch cart.

Looking back now I can only say that we enjoyed the risky rides, singing and talking as either an uncle or a cousin was at the lead of the cattle pulling the scotch cart.

The cousin leading would be very diligent at his duty. Always .

And what touches my heart now ( believe me back in the day I dont think it touched my heart the same as today) was how our cousin or Uncle would lead the oxen on foot while we sang and enjoyed the ride.

It meant that our cousin or Uncle walked while ensuring that we had a safe and enjoyable ride. We were to be taken safely from one grandmother to the other.

It was either from Ma Sibanda also called Va Zino in Rockford to Ma Moyo also known as Va Big in Chikato or vice versa.

We would enjoy the ride all the way .

All our relatives can never be the same.One time we would have a very reserved relatives leading the scotch cart.

My siblings and I would entertain ourselves.Or we would have a talkertive relative leading the oxen and also entertaining us with stories from the countryside .

And I dont really know why it is that those who are idle talk the loudest….
The most chit chat was always from the scotch cart

Before we left the homestead , the grandmother we were saying goodbye to would emphasise to the one leading the ox drawn cart that he was carrying “precious cargo” .Emphasis was done not once, not twice ,many many times.

It was like the grandmothers had memorised the orders and if they didnt seem to get the appropriate response, they would ask if he was listening( it was always a man leading! )

The cargo being transported included us , my siblings and I , our bags, our presents from the Gogo we were leaving . Back then it always included at least one live chicken and lots of farm produce.There was too a gift from one Gogo to her fellow in law.

When we got to our destination , our transporter would park the scotch cart in an appropriate place .
In unison we would clap our hands in the traditional method and say thank you loudly.
The appreciation had to include the totem otherwise it was not complete.

After the thank you, our cousin or Uncle would help us out of the scotch cart and we would rush to our Gogo who would be waiting for us.

After the hugs , we would all file into the kitchen and complete the greeting and welcoming process.
It was not a ” hie and whats up? ” kind of greeting.It was an involving process …..