(Date 13 April,1998)
Alferrid who left home when he was three years old goes back to his poor mum with a cow and a calf as a gift on the eve of Id Al Adha.
(Part II)
She knew the three Peasant’s Associations near where Alferrid’s mother was supposed to be located, but not exactly where the Dilibo Peasant Association is in which Alferrid’s mother was living. We were lucky to find her. It was symbiotic relationship, she got a ride, we got a guide.
When we reached her neighborhood Etageng said she would help us find his place so long us we bring her back to her home. Etageng saved us from going all the way to Weyera town. We left the all-weather gravel road 10 kms before Weyera Town.We drove through the cluster of Gurage villages inter-winding between the beautiful ‘’Tukules’ with lines of falls. Banana Trees and some natural forests.
The first few villages we could manage 20 KMs an hour because our guide knew her way. Later on we had to stop every 200 to 300 meters and ask. suspicious peasants do not tell which way to go till they made their own counter interview and developed the confidence.
Our guide had to do a lot of convincing before they told us which directions we had to pursue. I was in a trap. Because Alferrid could not give me any more information than his father’s and mother’s first name. Mr.Hagman was watching his wrist watch constantly and telling me it was too late that we should go back. After 45 minutes off the main road we reached a deadlock we could not move an inch even with the four wheel drive.
We found a ruggedly dressed farmer. We told Alferrid’s is from ‘Sehe’ originally we came to find his mother and buy her a cow. The peasant asked what her name was. Alferrid could only tell her first name Muridad. That was all. “Muridad who? “The pesant inquired. No reply. He said Pilbo and Sehe’ is in another Keble Pesant Association and he doesn’t know where. After all this effort and six thirty in the evening me andMr.Hagman had to make a final decision.
Mr.Hagman said We cannot find this world let us go back. I said since we are almost in the next neighborhood lets buy the cow and leave the kid with a family and go back. Alferid will find his mother the next day. Mr Hagman refused to leave Alferrid behind.
In the meantime the whole neighbourhood, with all the kids. were out watching us—a stranger car and the strangers. Those coming back from the market place with loads of on their back were stopping to see these strangers and having fun and asking their pictures to be taken.
The peasant farmer was eager to sell his cow. He did not want us to go back. He volunteered to run to Mouridad’s neighborhood with Alferrid. We asked him how much time?Though no concept of time for the peasants. The peasant said soon. I told him if he is not back in 15 minutes we would leave. Alferid and the peasant stated running. Seven minutes later they came back with a lady. We thought she was his mother. I started taking pictures. Alfrerrid didn’t show excitement neither did the lady.
Three minutes later his real mother came. The first one was his aunt. When the mother and son saw each other they were stunned. The mother in a rugged cloth poorest of the poor was about to cry and Alferrid sweating out of excitement. Since the whole neighboring was out shouting, talking laughing, it would make one nervous. Mr,Hugman and I took pictures.
Then I took Muridad Halil aside. She is thirty years old and a widow with Alferrid’s seven year old younger brother. She looked a lot older than her age with a constant inner sadness. I asked how she makes a living. Mourdid said she keeps other people’s cows and gets about a litter milk as a reward and she is a daily laborer for other pesants. She makes US 0.20 a day processing ‘Inset’ a very tenuous job.
Muridad never expected to see her son because it is literary impossible for her to save US $20 to come and see her son in the capital. Besides she doesn’t know a word of Amharic the working language. When I told her we came to buy her a cow she wouldn’t believe it.
A lady from the next neighborhood came with a cow and a calf. She was advised by the young lads that ‘ferenjis’ pay whatever amount requested. She started with 3000 Birr after 30 minutes of negotation we bought the cow with a new born calf for 1.500 Birr and give it to Alferrid and Muridad.
Alferid decided to stay with his mother till the Muslim Holiday ‘Arefa’ or Id al Adha we left him with the money for his trip back to Addis and started back our journey in complete darkness. It was seven thirty and reached Welkite at 9:15.No flat Tire. Alferrid’ family God was with us.
BY LAEKE MARIAM DEMESSIE
The Ethiopian Herald May 1/2021
