Chamas excite me. I can pick the most random conversation with anyone about a Chama, whether or not they have one. Increasingly, I am sure my some of my friends on whatsapp are enduring conversations with me, because I must throw in a twist on a Chama.

They rouse me, yes, now that I am studying them, but also because I think they are such a site for social science research. They are wealthy. They have the uncanny capacity to pack a month’s worth of relationship value and purpose in 3 or so hours. And then do so much else. They are each unique but so similar.

Let me share the thoughts I wrote for this last Chama.

***

Is it possible that there are certain aspects of communication that are observable even without one understanding the language of transaction? 

I am throwing myself into the deep end here. Heading to a Chama whose language I neither understand, nor whose nature I have ever interacted with- Luhya – Isukha subtribe.

I am wondering, do they shout, do they mix languages, how do they use language? How do they use non verbal language?

The venue was an hour’s drive from the city Centre. My contact had given me excellent directions but had certainly not prepared me for the long journey and somewhat heavy traffic for a Sunday afternoon. Komarock estate. It had to be at the rear end of Nairobi.

One of the members was hosting. Lovely cosy home with bitings and drinks all ready for the guests. 

I was the second person to arrive, at exactly a minute to 2PM. By the way, I have not attended a single chama meeting that has begun on time.

The TV loudly blasting one of the popular local stations.The meeting was to start at 2pm. Only one other person has arrived. I shall begin my notes again when it starts. 

…

2:07- the host welcomingly serves me snacks and a lovely cup of spicy tea. 

2:14: the early member becomes impatient and rhetorically asks when everyone else is coming.

2:28 second member arrives … smiles broadly and greets us heartily by shaking our hands.

Immediately, I note the use of their mother tongue. He goes through the same welcome routine: hands washed , then welcomed to tea and snack.

The two early members Engage in small talk punctuated very little by English words.  I gather ” scattered houses” and I guess they might be talking about the estate we are in versus another one.

2:39 early member asks again in Kiswahili whether people are still coming to the Chama. Early member two says many people confirmed on the Whatsapp group.

2:40 she makes a call to one member I guess to ask why he is not here yet. She puts him on speaker phone. Conversation is marked by loud laughter. And ends a minute later. I can’t quite tell how it ends because it is in Luhya.

2:55 Four members walk in. Hearty greetings. Reasons for late coming. English / Kiswahili/ mother tongue explanations.

An hour later than scheduled, the meeting begins  with a word of prayer.

The chair asks members to introduce themselves to me. I find this interesting and a bit against what is known for observation. I am supposed to be unobtrusive but the chair spends time explaining to me the origin of the group and why they use their mother tongue . 

It is about keeping people together and also a way of consolidating news from their village. Turns out they all come from the same clan, and by extension, the same village. They have too much in common and their mother tongue is a constant reminder.

The Secretary then passes round minutes and  the members read and offer corrections.

The meeting officially begins with the day’s business.

There are a few corrections that the secretary needs to make, which the members point out.

In between correcting minutes, members take time to discuss a Neighbour who is playing very loud music. The host goes to request that they lower the volume . He is returns shortly to report that the music is coming from another floor within the flat. He shuts the door as a way of dealing with it.

They set some rule on making default contributions with regard to family. There are back and forth discussions and disagreements on whether to pay lump some amounts or pay all at once. 

The chairman clarifies the contributions and timelines and quenches the members concern on the big amount of money at once . 

3:23 a member walks in and says hallo joyfully. He takes time to explain why he is kate. It is understood.

It is hilarious when the chairman persuades him that  I am part of the new members, and then he begins to make a distinction on which part of the village he  sees I come from, based on how I look. He begins to speak to me in Luyha. When other members burst out laughing, he notices the prank. 3 minutes later , we get back to business.