January 18, 2009 Mass at Chingale

January 18, 2009

Chet and I were invited to accompany Fr. Phillip to Nkhsala Charichi in Chingale where he was saying Sunday Mass. When we arrived we were greeted by a young man named Friday. He explained that his grandfather had given him that name since he was born on Friday. He escorted us around the outside area, explaining things as we went. When we arrived at the front of the church there were a number of women and little children, including several very tiny babies. I was interesting in finding one the same age as our Wyatt who was born November 2, but they were either much younger or a fair amount older. When the bell rang we went in. We had asked to sit in the back. In this church the choir is in front, so we were again with the mothers and smaller children. It made for lots of amusing vignettes during the service!

I was enjoying looking at the babies, when all of a sudden the music shifted and about 20 girls and young women came dancing up the aisle, two by two. They were followed by the altar servers and Fr. Phillip. Everyone else kept the rhythm and clapped to the music. The dancers spread out across the front of the congregation and danced during each of the songs. During one song, an older man who was in the middle of the men’s side danced by himself for a long time.

The choir was accompanied by three drums, made from hollowed logs and goatskin, and a tambourine. We heard a lot of call and response and harmonic singing, embellished every so often by a high pitched bird like sound made by women. Evidently it requires special tongue action and is learned when they are children. (Fr. Frank, our resident humorist tells me that I wouldn’t be able to learn how at my age. He’s probably right, age or not!)

When it was time for the offering, we went up along with others who were contributing money to put in some kwacha. Then a procession of people with gifts of maize, bananas on a stalk, and various covered baskets and bags went to the front. While this was going on, Fr. Phillip proceeded with the Offertory of the Mass.

After Mass we spent a few minutes visiting outside. Several women who’d seen my camera asked me to take pictures of their families. Then a group of gentlemen did so too. It was fun getting them organized.

Then the altar servers, choir leader, lector, Phillip, Chet and I went into a small room next to the church where we were served lunch. It consisted of goat meat in a sauce, rice, and hard-boiled eggs in a sauce.

This afternoon, Mary, from Crolly, County Donegal by way of 27 years in Blantyre, came to prepare for the Montessori course which will begin tomorrow. She and her helper, Pearl, will be here for three weeks.