Sun, 18 Feb 2018 10:19:45 +0000
By Batuke AAron Mwanza
Deacon Pride Kayuni had never been to Western Province and was looking forward to the Church outing at Katunda Village in Kaoma District, Western Province organized by his Church’s Adventists Men Organization (A.M.O).
He had just recently joined the A.M.O group and was enjoying fellowshipping and ministering the Gospel in prisons, hospitals and Orphanages. Kayuni was raised as an Adventist and he was a committed member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
At 37, he was one of the youngest and most committed Deacons. Apart from being an active AMO member, he was also one of the most active church choir members. Married with two children, he was also a committed family man. The AMO group made a program to visit Katunda Village on Sabbath (Saturday). The group had some donations to make to the new church which was just constructed and visit the sick in the new hospitals, apart from spreading the Gospel. They arrived very early in the morning and were well received by the village headman and the local church who appreciated their generosity and kindness. Since Western Province, Kaoma District in particular was far from Lusaka where the AMO group came from, the group already made plans to camp in Katunda and leave for Lusaka the following day on a Sunday.
The village headman introduced them to the local school headmaster who offered them a school main hall which they were to use for the night. Mr. Lubasi, the Head master too, was a very friendly man who told the group a lot about Katunda Village and showed them around the village and village activities. Mr. Lubasi’s house was just next to the school main hall and elder Mwanangombe, the AMO group leader and other elders invited Mr. Lubasi to come over in the evening for an evening cup of tea with the AMO group before retiring for the night.
Mr. Lubasi accepted the invitation and just after they had their super after 20:00 hrs, he and the AMO group were together around a fire which they lit outside the hall. Katunda Village was not yet electrified so the group, who were aware of the situation before they arrived, were equipped with torches and candles. The men had a real good time around the fire, (they had a very busy day) as they shared stories. “We are very wary of witchcraft around here, and urge you people to be careful too” said Mr. Lubasi cautioning the visitors as he said goodnight to them and left for his house.
“What Mr. Lubasi, had just said is very true” said elder Mwanangombe. “Witchcraft is very real.” The men then blew off their candles and slept. Around 01:00 AM in the early hours of the following day, Kayuni woke up because he was pressed to answer the call of nature. He looked around for the torch but he had misplaced it and the pressure to answer the call of nature threatened not to wait any longer for him, so in his underpants and taking advantage of the darkness of the village, Kayuni went quickly outside. He was just going to make it snappy and quickly come back inside. But when he just finished reliving himself and turned back to head to his sleeping room, he was baffled and horrified to find that he was lost. It was confusing and terrifying. The school hall where he and the rest of his colleagues were occupying was nowhere in sight, instead he found himself alone in the plains with no house or hut in sight. Kayuni rubbed his eyes several times to make sure he wasn’t dreaming but it was real he was alone in the plains of the Western Province. He called out to his colleagues but there was no answer. He shouted again and again still no answer, only the sounds of owls hooting was heard.
Terrified and trembling, he suddenly thought of one thing as a Christian, Prayer. Kayuni knelt down and started praying. When he opened his eyes he was astonished to find Mr. Lubasi starring at him. “And who are you and what are you doing at this time here? He asked angrily. This time he didn’t sound like the friendly man who had earlier treated them to a good hospitality and apparently he didn’t seem to recognize Kayuni.
“Bo Lubasi amuniska ni ziba” (Mr. Lubasi don’t you recognize me) Kayuni asked him in Lozi. “Am Deacon Kayuni, one of the members of the AMO group who are visiting you” Mr. Lubasi then came closer and stared hard at him. “Oh Deacon Kayuni it’s you, but why are you alone and naked outside?” Kayuni then explained how he was forced to rush outside because he was pressured to answer the call of nature. Mr. Lubasi then laughed and resumed his friendly attitude. “Deacon, Kayuni like I earlier warned you, you must be very careful when in the village especially at night or during dark early hours,” “witchcraft is very real here and people are on the defense and use any means to protect themselves against witchcraft.” “You are very lucky it’s me and I have recognized you quickly, otherwise other people finding you naked at this time of the early hours would have easily mistaken you for a wizard, I too thought you are a wizard,” said Mr. Lubasi.
“Oh sorry about that” said Kayuni “But Mr. Lubasi, I don’t know how I can explain this, but am also lost and don’t how,” said Kayuni. But Mr. Lubasi burst into laughter. “Lost, how can you be lost when the school hall you are occupying with your colleagues is just behind you?”, When Kayuni turned his head to look behind, sure enough the school hall was just a few meters behind him. Kayuni was shocked and felt silly. “But how come… “Please just go and rest” interrupted Mr. Lubasi. “Remember you are still naked go inside and sleep before other people find you”. Kayuni complied and went inside the hall to find the rest of his team snoring and in deep sleep. He also joined them and slept comfortably. Around 6AM, they all got up and started preparing for their departure back to Lusaka. Kayuni then narrated to the elders and the rest of his team about what happened. Elder Mwanangombe then smiled at him. “Young man, I have lived in the village before and I know these things, am 63 years old”. “It’s true; villages here are on the defensive against witchcraft and use black magic.” “Then he lowered his voice. “Young man, its no other than our Mr. Lubasi who used black magic on you, but it’s because you were out alone and in nude so he thought you are a wizard on a mission to do harm”. “By using magic he made the school hall disappear, that’s why we couldn’t hear you calling us, but when he discovered that you meant no harm and you are innocent he released you, but be careful never go out alone next time and inform people always if you have to go out at night.” “But don’t talk too much, be quiet until you are home in Lusaka” said elder Mwanangombe. It was a great relief for Kayuni when they were back home in Lusaka from an encounter he can never forget.
