As the year begins, seek wisdom my son
Dear nephew Milambo,
I greet you with deep respect and warmth in the sacred name of Limatunda, the great god of our Nyamwezi people.
May Limatunda continue to watch over you, your household and all who live under your roof. I pray that you and your family in our beloved village of Ukumbisiganga remain protected by the spirits of our ancestors, those who walked this land before us and whose wisdom still guides our footsteps today. Above all, may the powerful presence of our great Chief Mirambo, the lion of Unyamwezi, stand as a shield over you, granting you strength, courage and clarity of mind in all that you do.
My dear nephew, it is with a heart full of gratitude that I write to you now, having safely arrived in Dar es Salaam after our journey from Ukumbisiganga, where we had come to celebrate Christmas and the New Year together with family and kin.
The joy of being back home in the village, breathing the familiar air, walking on the soil of our ancestors and sharing laughter and stories around the fire was something that cannot be replaced by anything the city offers. Even now, as I sit here in Dar es Salaam, my mind still wanders back to the sounds of the village mornings and the calm of the evenings we shared.
Our journey back, however, was not without its challenges, my dear son, and I feel it is important to share this with you so that you may know what we went through and join us in thanking the ancestors for their protection. As you know, the road from our village toward the city is long and often unpredictable.
Everything went well at first and we were in good spirits as the bus made its way forward. But before we could reach Dodoma, the bus developed serious mechanical problems.
The engine began to struggle, strange noises filled the air and soon the driver had no choice but to stop. We were stranded on the roadside for nearly three hours as the mechanics worked to fix the problem. The sun was unforgiving and patience was tested among the passengers.
Some complained loudly, others grew silent with worry and children cried from discomfort. In those moments, I was reminded of how fragile our plans can be, and how quickly human strength fades when faced with circumstances beyond control. Yet, it was also a moment to remember the power of prayer and the unseen hands of our ancestors. Your aunt and little sister Neema suffered the most during this delay.
Neema, being still very young, became restless and tired. She could not understand why we had stopped for so long or why the journey was suddenly filled with discomfort. Your aunt tried her best to comfort her, but I could see the exhaustion in her eyes as well. The heat, the dust and the uncertainty weighed heavily on them.
As a husband and a father, it pained me deeply to see them in such a state, unable to do much except offer words of comfort and silent prayers. By the time the bus was finally repaired and we continued our journey, night had begun to fall. Darkness on the road brings its own fears my son, and the body by then was already weary. We arrived in Dar es Salaam very late, long after we had expected to. We were completely exhausted, our backs aching, our minds heavy and our spirits stretched thin.
Yet, despite all this, we bowed our heads in gratitude. We thanked Limatunda and the ancestors, for although the journey was difficult, we arrived safely. No accident befell us, no harm came to our bodies, and for that alone, we remain forever thankful. My dear son, I cannot write this letter without expressing the deep gratitude me and your aunt feel toward you and your cousin Yassin.
From the moment we arrived in Ukumbisiganga, you both went out of your way to make sure we were comfortable and happy. You did not treat us as visitors but as your own immediate family, which speaks volumes about your character and upbringing.
You ensured that we lacked nothing, whether it was food, company, or assistance with daily matters. Your kindness did not go unnoticed my dear nephew, and it has left a lasting mark on my heart.
The way you helped organise our stay, accompanied us when we needed to move around the village and made sure your little sister was always smiling showed a level of responsibility and love that makes me proud to call you my nephew. Yassin, too, showed maturity beyond his years, and together, the two of you demonstrated what it truly means to care for family.
These are the values our ancestors held dear, and seeing them alive in you reassures me that our traditions and moral foundations are still strong. As we now stand at the be ginning of a new year, I want to share some thoughts with you, not as a command, but as guidance from someone who has walked a little further along life’s path.
My dear son, the start of a new year is not merely a change of dates, it is an opportunity given to us by Limatunda and the ancestors to reflect, correct our mistakes and strive to become better human beings.
It is a time to ask ourselves whether we are living in a way that honours those who came before us and prepares a better path for those who will come after us. I encourage you, my dear nephew, to make it part of your New Year’s resolution to focus on improving yourself in every way possible.
Seek wisdom, not only through books or formal learning, but also through listening to elders and observing life carefully. Work hard in whatever you do, knowing that dignity comes from effort and honesty. Be kind to others, even when kindness is not returned, for the ancestors see all actions, both small and great. Let us also resolve to improve the lives of others, not just our own.
A strong community is built when individuals care beyond themselves. Whether it is helping a neighbour, guiding a younger person, or simply offering a listening ear, these small acts create harmony and invite blessings. Remember that leadership does not always come with titles, sometimes it is shown through daily actions and quiet responsibility. As for me, I promise to continue supporting you in whatever way I can, whether through advice, encouragement, or assistance when needed.
Distance may separate Dar es Salaam from Ukumbisiganga, but blood, love and shared heritage keep us close. May this new year bring you good health, clear purpose and steady progress in all your endeavours. Please convey my warm greetings to the entire family and to all who remember us in the village.
Tell them that although we have returned to the city, our hearts remain tied to Ukumbisiganga. May Limatunda bless you abundantly, may the ancestors guide your steps and may the spirit of Chief Mirambo give you courage to face whatever lies ahead.
