Carrying a Calf home on your shoulders -Omuriisa

As young boys,we used to tend to herds of cattle - as a tradition. We call this "Okuriisa" in Runyankore culture. I remembered one interesting part that came with this tradition. If a cow gave birth while the shepherd were in the wilderness, and the rest of the cows were on the move, you had to carry the new born calf on your shoulders to make sure it gets home. If it stayed in the wilderness and wild animals like lions or leopards ate it, you would not be able to forgive yourself. So you had to do everything to get the new born calf home safely. You lifted it and placed it upon your shoulders and moved with the rest of the cows -the mother coming up close and mowing behind you, following its young one. I just remembered this legendary activity of Omuriisa -the one who tended to the cows.

Omuriisa n'ente ze