A firewood has been a necessity and wish for everyone in the African village to hold it. It is translated as light for the community. Light has no particular criteria neither thousands philosophies than the purpose it’s meant for . Many people have been lighting up that light and making it a useful tool in the night or during darkness. When everyone sees that light, it certainly bring something new to the person, family and even the community.
It is said that Africa villages have no electricity. Really?
I won't disagree with that but would like to add on that though there is no electricity, there is always a way that lighten up the community. Many people have been regarding it as a gift from the ancestors. It is the origin of knowledge and wisdom. The moment when the only light projects the surrounding people. This is the wood, just a firewood which had great use to the community.
The wood of my village.
Firewood is known for a number of tasks. The particular tasks of those firewood is through providing electricity to the community. This firewood play a bigger part to the community as it’s used for cooking, as music instruments and used in assemblying a number of traditional items that have a great value to the community. Women in the village are meant to look for firewoods as men go for farming. This tasks should always be expected in the village. The firewood portrays an ultimate importance in the community and regarded as a necessity.
"Try to learn from the elders around the firewood community gathering "
The only secret to know the elders secret should be based on that particular firewood. In normal life, it’s hard to get your father’s or mother’s acceptance if you do not reach her expectations. I mean an arrogant child is not preferred in the family. Therefore, the only way to satisfy the old man should always be based around the firewood.
The absence of firewood relates to the absence of food. Women can even move for some few kilometers in search of those woods until they get them and then using them for cooking, lightening and storing them for future use.
You can not make a circle without the firewood in the middle. Everyone has always been anxious of knowing what happened in the past. I personally do like it. The old man sits and start relating how things were before and how they used to live by then. It’s still on the firewood circle that everyone could bring communication of a certain event or a problem that brainstorm the community. This portrays a sign of love, unity and community sharing.
There is a common word in the village
“remember bringing the woods”.
This made me think on how the young boys could hustle and look for woods or always coming back with something small for the old woman. This could bring joy to her. This is my first goal when I reach to the village. In addition to that, I add on some sugar and modern clothes. At that particular moment, she can give me everything I want and even slaughter a goat or a cow for me. The search of the firewood reminds me a lot. It creates the need and ambition to make and find something. It involves using your energy, courage and determination to bring something worth at home.
Image source young men looking for firewoods.
Slowly and surely development has started reaching and people are now involved on using some petrol lights, solar power and other tools. The people are now excited to start a new era with a knew technological advancement, but some of them did find no pleasure in that. This reminds me of a particular tribe in northern UgandaThe karamajong that did refuse to wear modern clothes, refused taking their children to school with free education and others even still wanted to stay in huts by denying to stay in modern houses which were meant for them. The people preferred being on their state and wouldn’t prefer starting an other stage of life. This was not because they are poor, but because they had found a good settlement for them and couldn’t enjoy a decent and modern development style.
source karamajong, northern uganda enjoying their cultural dances
Finaly, relating firewood to light has taught me a number of items. If only everyone could have his woods that he would work for and strive to have and finally lightening his destiny. Lightening the community with the work of your hand. The people in the village could struggle bringing to the firewood’s, but could always share with their communities.