Cara in Mpigi

A story about the need for a common language when making business transactions.

By Namyalo Viola

Cara was the first white woman to go to Mpigi district. She lived in Mpigi district and had a place where she stayed. One day Cara wanted to buy yellow banana. She went out from her room ,she moved towards the shop to buy what she wanted to buy ,Cara was amazed, every body could look at her .For the little on ,they could stop playing and start singing “Muzungu,muzungu”.

The older ones could run after Cara to see her very, well and catch on Cara’s skin . No body in Mpigi town had seen a white woman before .Although people in Mpigi were amazed to see Cara ,she continued walking until when she reached at the shop .She found a woman sited inside the shop and she said,

CARA: Good morning

WOMAN: Ntunda menvu {I am selling yellow banana]

CARA: How much are these?

WOMAN: Gengedde nyo [They are ripe]

CARA: Good bye

WOMAN : Siga seera [They are not expensive]

Cara saw that she can’t communicate to the woman and she decided to move on. The woman thought that they were still talking but the woman was amazed to see Cara going. Cara was very surprised by the people of Mpigi because up to the age of  being  a mother, they do not understand English even a single word.