The Healing Cup: When Faith Meets Needs - A Categorial Indictument of CCM's Policies

[Raia Fulani]

tuna uhakika ndio mmea huo huo? maana huo mmea una madawa fulani na yanahusiana na kupunguza maumivu na kusisimua kinga..

Kama ni kweli huo mti ndio kazi yake, Babu aliujulia wapi kama si maono kweli? By the way, nakupongeza kwa kazi hii nyeti/adimu. Nadhani pia umejibu maombi ya Counterpunch

 

[thesonofafrica]

MMKJJ,
I have always admired your analytical skills,and this time is no different.You have always tried to show the other angle which some of us could not see.
Above all,huwa haukurupuki kama wengine ambavyo wanaweza kufikiri.Tangu hii "dramma" ya "Babu" ilipoanza ,wengi hapa Jf wamekua wakiuliza,yu wapi MMKJJ?
You took time to monitor the situation,to intellectually analyze all the issue involved.I knew that what you have been doing,and Thanks God,you did not let me down even this time around.
my collegue put it best "Reading your article is like experiencing mental orgasm ".

 

[Kaunga]

tuna uhakika ndio mmea huo huo? maana huo mmea una madawa fulani na yanahusiana na kupunguza maumivu na kusisimua kinga..

Nitacheck na Ma botanist from Arusha the National Herbarium of Tanzania, and l will get back to you!

 

[Maganiko]

Another analytical and intellectual masterpiece form MMKJJ!

Nimemsoma Maggid, hachambui chochote zaidi ya kumtuhumu na kumlaani Babu wa watu na kuwacheka na kuwakebehi watanzania wanaosumbuliwa na kukosa matumaini na maradhi mbali mbali. Pia nimemsoma Ulimwengu katika The Eastafrican na nakiri mpaka sasa sijajua aliandika nini. Wameshindwa kabisa kuchambua chanzo, uhusioano wa maisha ya watz na hali ya sasa na kutokea kwa Babu huko Loliondo. Badala yake wanabaki kukebehi na kuwadharau na kuwashangaa watz masikini waliokata tamaa ya maisha.

 

[Chapakazi]

kwa hiyo wale wanaotoka nchi za nje, nayo inadhihirisha failed health systems kwa upande wao?
Dont understand how Aids can be blame to a failing health system!
It might be a sign of failed medicine, lakini sidhani kama ni sign ya failed health system!

 

[Mzee Mwanakijiji]

Chapakazi.. unafikiri huko nchi za nje hakuna hicho cha "failed health system"? Hata Marekani kuna failed healthy system kama ulikuwa hujui.

 

[Chamoto]

Mzee MM,

"Kuishi kwingi, kuona mengi" We learn new things throughout our lives.

By the way, Congratulations for the article. Can you OR somebody else translate it to Swahili (Kiswahili fasaha) and not adulterated.

Hapa mental orgasm niliimaanisha msisimko wa kiakili (a state of been enthusiastic and eager) unaosababishwa na kujifunza au kusoma kitu fulani.

Ieleweke siku maanisha neno orgasm literal.

Msisimko huu unaifanya akili yako igande kwenye makala kwa kufurahiswa na inacho kisoma. Nimetumia hili neno kama kivumishi nawala siyo maana nyingine yeyote.

Katika Copywriting or direct response marketing (salesmanship in print), copywriters hutumia sama hili neno ili kumfanya msomaji avutiwe na anacho kisoma. Naweza kusena hili ni hypnotic or trance yaani linamfanya msomaji aanze kusisimku kwasababu anahusisha orgasm na ule msisimko wa tendo.

Kwa kutumia ujanja wa maneno kama haya msomaji hujikuta ametumia muda wake kusoma sales letter (junk mail) na hata kununua kile muuzaji alichokusudia kuuza kwenye hiyo sales letter.

Hope it makes sense, MWEEN

 

[Mzee Mwanakijiji]

Chamoto, yumkini tendo na maandishi vyote husisimua kitu kile kile - Ubongo

 

[Horseshoe Arch]

Kama tafsiri ya utu ni kutenda mema,basi watenda mema ndiyo watu...nina imani na MM mawazo yako ni km dawa ya Babu tofauti ni kwamba huna msimu maalum!...Tanzania ndimo fuvu linalosadikika kua la mtu aloishi miaka mingi lilipatikana (Olduvai),Tanzania nchi yenye mlima mrefu Africa,Tanzania nchi pekee mwamba wa Tanzanite unapatikana, Tanzania....Tanzaniaaaaa....long live Babu! Heshima yako mkuu MM

 

[Chamoto]

Chamoto, yumkini tendo na maandishi vyote husisimua kitu kile kile - Ubongo

Ni kweli kabisa.

Uzuri wa maandishi ni kwamba msomaji anakuwa hajijui kuwa anasisimshwa kwahiyo wasiwasi haupo wakati kwenye tendo anatengemea kitu fulani kutokea hii humfanya kuwa makini kidogo. kwasababu hii wanawake wengi (nothing intended here) hupenda kusoma adventurous/romantic novel kuhusu mwanaume hodari. Hapo wanakuwa huru katika hisia yoyote wanayoitaka (jiachia) kwasabau wanakuwa safe.

Kwenye haya mambo siri ni kuchanganya vyote viwili.

MM samahani kwa kutoka nje ya mada kidogo.

 

[Kaka Mpendwa]

THE CUP OF LOLIONDO: WHEN FAITH MEETS NEEDS!
THE PLIGHT OF A DESPERATE NATION AND A CATEGORICAL INDICTMENT OF THE FAILED HEALTH POLICIES OF THE CORRUPT RULING ELITE(CCM)

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By. M. M. Mwanakijiji

In their hundreds they come. No, in their thousands. Sick people, and those suspecting that they are seriously sick they all come. People in pain and anguish, desperate people young and old, Christians and Muslims they all come. Old Maasai women and men from the foot of Oldonyo Lengai adorned in their traditionally decorated garbs, some with their babies on their backs, they all come. People of other tribes from far away like Kilimanjaro and some from Dar-es-Salaam and further South they all come, and many more coming from adjacent countries like Kenya and Uganda as well and as far away as Europe and the Middle East; they all come.

In their hundreds they come; No, in their thousands. To a remote village of Samunge in Northern Tanzania about 400 kilometers from Arusha City, Tanzania’s tourist capital. All these sick people some with their caretakers and others alone are flocking to meet a retired Lutheran Pastor Rev. Ambilikile Mwasapile (76) from whom a cup of liquid herbal medicine will be taken. A medicine that seems to be extremely potent with powers to heal some of the incurable diseases the modern Western medicine are still struggling to even understand. Diseases such as diabetes to heart conditions, from back pains to cancers and even more astonishing this medicine is claimed to have power cure to cure HIV infections. Yes, in these extremely hours of their needs in thousands they come.

Some on foot and others on bicycles and even many more others on motorbikes and a lot more in their cars - luxury cars, tourists trucks and even government issued cars. Indeed, hundreds have made this pilgrim journey as it were on buses and now there are reports of people coming in choppers. The filing line to get the medicinal cup is insanely long indeed; with cars and trucks waiting for days to get to the house compound of this seemingly unimposing figure accompanied by a handful of assistants all dressed in casual outfits - loose shirts, pants and shoes.

As the crowd surged and fearing mass hysteria and getting ahead of any potential disaster over the past few days the Arusha regional Police force has stepped in to provide more police officers (general police and riot police) as well as traffic police to control the flow of vehicles to and fro the little village.

It is estimated over 7000 people have reached this village in the past few days. The village is located few miles from Loliondo Game Reserve one Tanzania’s best national parks. Loliondo Game Reserve is known the world over for its pristine beauty, high concentration of wildlife and for quite sometime now by its controversial hunting permit that granted a UAE royal family a license to hunt wildlife in the reserve. This infamous deal remains controversial almost twenty years since it was signed; human rights and environmental activists have called the deal a “hunting with impunity permit” after the pictures and details of brutal hunting techniques employed by the royal hunting party came to light.

It was here in Loliondo the first case of a major corruption scandal to rock the Tanzania government in early 1990s occurred. The Loliondo Gate as it was then known became the symbol of grand corruption and its impacts still being felt even today in most parts of Loliondo. But people are not coming here to protest hunting or to hold rallies against the Arab investors or the government - of course some still do that. They are here in Samunge for healing, at least that’s what they say.

Yes in their hundreds they come; no in their thousands. Police officers, teachers, politicians, businessmen, farmers as well as young college students, they come just to get the ever increasingly famous the “cup of Loliondo”. Pastors some in their roman collars and other religious figures - yes even bishops have come here believing that this medicine will heal their bodies and strengthen their belief in the supernatural workings of Divine Providence. Even after some Muslims and other Christians leaders have admonished their faithful not to make the journey here people have summarily ignored them.

In fact some of the former colleagues of Rev. Mwasapile have indeed blessed his medicine arraying fears that superstitions beliefs were somewhat involved - of course to these people the belief in God is not superstition at all. There are no magical chanting here, there are no incantations around a pentagram; indeed there are no amulets or lucky charms given to cast away evil spirits from “possessed people”. Just a cup of hot herbal medicine taken only once per person per lifetime - nothing less or more. Just a Cup of Loliondo and “thy body shall be well”.

But, it is not free. It costs only 500Tsh per person equivalent of about 0.33 Cents USD. The demand is very high, and the supply of medicinal plant scarce but the price has remained the same and according to the pastor it will remain the same for a foreseeable future. Other providers of different services around the area have used this opportunity to make quick money for themselves; the cost of bottled water around the village for example has doubled and the bus fares from Arusha to Loliondo has almost increased five folds. The cost of the medicinal cup I think in itself is another reason why people come here. It has made it possible for even the poorest of the poor to afford to make the long journey through rugged roads to reach here few miles from Lake Natron. For sick people this is a strange new world; if they were to buy medicine from a local pharmacy for their infirmities the price would be relatively high and becomes an obstacle for getting better treatment. So they come.

They come in multitudes not because the cup of Loliondo promises immortality. It does not. Not because the cup promises the sick people that they would never get sick again. Not so; but because it promises them immediate relief from current conditions that have troubled them and from which they have given up hope of any cure or healing

So they come in their hundreds; no, in their thousands. Not due to any scientific basis of the powers of a little plant known locally here as Mugariga (angelica archangelica??), none whatsoever. So far, there has not been any scientific tests done on the plant or on its supposedly potential healing powers; in fact only recently the the Tanzanian Government has dispatched a scientific team to visit Babu (Grandfather in Kiswahili) and to take some samples from the plant for laboratory testing. The aim is to at least get the scientific understanding of the nature of the powers of this little plant the size of small orchard plant. The government wants to establish and gain an understanding of what the fuss here is all about. But the sick people and their families are not waiting for official word from the government to have faith in the cup of Loliondo. They are the witness of its powers. No microscope nor test tube would change their minds. At least not yet.

So far we do not know yet all the side effects of this medicinal drink and in fact some people have even questioned the manner in which people share cups putting them at risks of contamination from water borne diseases such us typhoid and cholera. For this reason, as soon as the number of peopled in the past weeks increased Rev. Mwasapile and other concerned people demanded that the government would intervene to provide some basic sanitary facilities (such as portable latrines) as well as more cups and bigger aluminum bowls that are used for boiling the plant. The government and other institutions have answered this call and some basic facilities are being placed around the area. There is a possibility that even the Red Cross would be forced to provide tents here. But all these health concerns have not made people fear from taking the medicine or being here.

In fact, it seems nothing said or done will change the minds of these desperate and very inflicted people. To most of them this not just about the plant or the Cup of Loliondo as it were, it is about faith. It is about a belief that God in his eternal mercies and grace has bestowed upon this frailly man a gift of healing and that the herbal plant is just a point of contact - a channel of healing if you will. So people are flocking not because they know if they drink this medicine they will get better; not really, but because the man giving this cup has faith in its powers to heal the very sick. This is an important distinction because otherwise somebody else could have started boiling the same plant in the same manner. So far there are not copycats yet.

Drinking the cup of this medicinal water from Loliondo could be compared (loosely) to drinking holy waters of Lourdes, France or the holy waters of Zamzam in Saudi Arabia. In all three, it is faith that brings people to these points of contact of what believers hold to be God’s healing powers. These are not just any water although they share the same chemical properties they are to believers holy waters. Someone divine has endorsed them; so is the case with the herbal water from the cup of Loliondo.

This belief in the powers of herbal medicine of course is not unique to Tanzania and indeed the belief that there are gifted people among us with certain healing powers is not an exclusive domain of Africans. Almost all societies and cultures from time in memorial have had such individuals in their midst. From China to India, from Europe to South America, from the US even to the Middle East, people have gone to great length to receive healing from unconventional traditional medicines. Many will swear under the penalty of death to the powers of the medicines and indeed many have lived (and continue to live) to witness of the powers of traditional medicine the world over. Even in Tanzania this is not a new tradition at all. Only now in a very unique way it involves a former pastor with the blessings of his church behind him; this is incredibly unique.

According to Rev. Mwasapile, it all started in 1991 when through a dream he was directed to use the plant for healing. For sometimes he ignored the dream until Fall last year when he decided to take seriously and obey it. In the beginning no one in the village believe him until some people from the town started spreading the word when they get back homes in good conditions. The rest as it is said is history.

There is no way to predict how it will all end. It might continue for a little while especially if the results from the lab show that the plant has some medicinal properties. Then, probably more permanent facilities will be built and as the signs now show the little unassuming village in Loliondo might become a little town that becomes a symbol of hope to millions of people especially in these troubling times.

However, there are those who fear (and somehow rightly so) that a cult of personality is building slowly around Rev. Mwasapile; this has some people cautiously following with interests what is happening in this formerly sleepy village. There are also fear that if the situationis mishandled or hastily brought to a halt something more drastic and dangerous might happen here reminiscent of Jonestown massacre in the US in late 1970s or the Uganda cult deaths under Joseph Kibwetere where 500 souls perished in March 2000. Most social critics like myself would urge the authorities to use wisdom and proceed with maximum caution as one would approach a troubled nuclear facility.

The whole episode could as well be a moment that would cause our nation to reflect on itself on the nature of its healthcare services, its accessibility as well as the relationship between tradition/herbal medicine and modern western medicine. For as it stands now this is not even about the plant anymore; in fact it is not even about the Medicine man Rev. Mwasapile; I would propose that it is about the needs of the people and the faith that sustains them.

When a nation such as Tanzania with inadequate health facilities and most of the time with very expensive healthcare services what options are there left for the people? When a health system such as the one in Tanzania which in so many ways is seen to have been embedded with corruption from bottom up and corrupt elements that remain unchecked what hope do poor men and women of Tanzania have? How long should Tanzanians inflicted with a myriad of diseases continue to go to India to get health care services that could otherwise be available at home? In a nation of 40 million people where not even a single world class referral Children’s hospital exist, what hope do families have when tragedies strike?

It is for this reason what is happening in Loliondo in fact is another categorical indictment of the failed health policies of the ruling party -Chama cha Mapinduzi. The current ruling elite has created and sustains a health system where the very powerful and wealth people can easily get world class health services in Europe and India while the poor majority continue to suffer at the mercy of a struggling health system. The President for example, ministers, members of parliament and other top level government officials have created for themselves a system where the tax payers will foot their health care bills for annual medical checkups and treatments in Europe and India’s best hospitals while the poor majority of Tanzania only need such services when are in dire conditions. Such is the plight of these people who come to see Babu to get the cup of Loliondo.

I would propose that the poor majority of Tanzania are left with such an attitude as that of the Psalmist when he cries as if in pain and misery of the heart “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?” and he confidently answer with an assurance of a person filled with an absolute faith in Providence (not in men) and he says “My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.” Yea indeed! the maker of the Mugaruga plant! This my friends does not make any sense, it defies logic and any known scientific proposition. This faith in something greater than ourselves has a way of sustaining a people in ways that only the afflicted understand.

While to others faith is very irrational - In fact it is, to others there is nothing more rational than getting healing from any source of healing available to humanity. Yes even divine healing - whatever that is. It is here then, through the cup of Loliondo where faith of the people meets the needs of the desperate people. As most of us are still contemplating if we too need to make the journey here. May be we are not yet at the threshold of desperation but as history is the witness when we get to the precipice of own mortality we too will see the rationality of going to see Babu!

Only time will be the final arbiter on what is happening here.

So they come, in their hundreds; no in their thousands!

hivi nyie wenzetu mlisoma shule zetu hizi za kata au ? duh..hicho kingeredha si mchezo..
Ni hilo tu.

 

[Mutakyamirwa]

THE CUP OF LOLIONDO: WHEN FAITH MEETS NEEDS!
THE PLIGHT OF A DESPERATE NATION AND A CATEGORICAL INDICTMENT OF THE FAILED HEALTH POLICIES OF THE CORRUPT RULING ELITE(CCM)
​

...........
Only time will be the final arbiter on what is happening here.

So they come, in their hundreds; no in their thousands!

Mzee Mwanakijiji!

I salut you in the name of Jesus! You are a wonderful thinker!, writer! Analysit !...

Just a piece of advice! Is there a way where you could keep on recording all events of Loliondo; including photos and if possible pay a visit over there.. then write a book for our future generation. I see you in good move for that purpose. I would be of help where you need support.

 

[Raia Fulani]

hivi nyie wenzetu mlisoma shule zetu hizi za kata au ? duh..hicho kingeredha si mchezo..
Ni hilo tu.

Anaishi Marekani, ila jimbo nimesahau

 

[Chapakazi]

Chapakazi.. unafikiri huko nchi za nje hakuna hicho cha "failed health system"? Hata Marekani kuna failed healthy system kama ulikuwa hujui.

wewe una-define failed health system kuwa nini?
Maana inaelekea unamaanisha kushindwa kutibu magonjwa sugu. Na mimi nashindwa kuelewa kuwa kama ugonjwa ni sugu (hauna dawa), utawezaje kusema kuwa health system ime-fail?
Hiyo failed health system ya Marekani ni ipi? Unaongelea funding za health system - aka hiyo debate waliyokuwa nayo?

 

[The Khoisan]

Angelica is one of the most powerful herbs with magical and spiritual connotations,being considered in unanimous traditions of different European and Asian nations,contact a real gate higher planes of the universe. Otherwise the plant name evokes the intimate ties between the plant and invisible worlds of light beings – angels. Its properties have made it eminently beneficial to be renowned for its occult power protection they provide.

​

Angelica is one of the most powerful herbs with magical and spiritual connotations,being considered in unanimous traditions of different European and Asian nations,contact a real gate higher planes of the universe. Otherwise the plant name evokes the intimate ties between the plant and invisible worlds of light beings – angels. Its properties have made it eminently beneficial to be renowned for its occult power protection they provide.
In the Romanian tradition, significantly called grass or angels of the seven angels, known to have power to attract the protection of angels. It says, for example, ,,that it can be harvested and managed only to heal people with clean mind and soul. If it is near a bad guy or greedy, loses force because it leaves the angels". In many parts of the country was used for the windows of the undead, or that evil spirits away, for to help those who suffer nightmares, those pessimists, who possessed, dirty and all those whose conscience is darkened by suffering and whose conscience is darkened by suffering and anguish.

​

In villages, angelic children who are put in the bathroom crying for no reason, to return to her as guardian angel. In Transylvania, seeds and stems of angelica macerated in brandy, is a traditional remedy for stomach aches, colds and flu, rheumatism, malaise and depression caused by cold weather and bad. They also say that, given the elderly, they bring joy and youthful vigor.
Spread to other European countries, was considered angelic in the Middle Ages, a true panacea. In the seventh century, for instance, is consigned to death rescuing an entire city, during a plague epidemic, with Angelica.
In the gardens of old monasteries, Angelica was in great esteem with basil for its effects cleaning of the soul and orientation towards the holy mind.

Read more in Mental Health
« A Product Grouch
The Pain of Asperger Syndrome »​

Plant between component and various elixirs Benedictine, this order monk renowned for vast knowledge of healing with plants. In Ireland there is the habit of washing water of angelic children, somewhat similar use of holy water, with the task of cleaning the little ones from possible negative influences and strengthen their health.
Studying Eskimos diet, herbal Maurice French Messegué write about this plant: Angelica increase mental and physical strength. Revitalizes the entire body, fight fatigue and spasms, prevents depression. It is very useful in winter, helping them to defend themselves against microbial and viral diseases. They seem to be due to the exceptional strength of the Eskimos, their only vegetable angelic.

Here's a list of many diseases in which the angel has a curative effect observed: depression, fatigue, hysteria, psychosomatic disorders, difficulty concentrating, mental developmental delay in children, colitis fermentation, hypoacid gastritis, dyspepsia, difficult digestion, flu, menstrual disorders, hormonal disorders in women, serious infectious diseases (tuberculosis, hepatitis), multiple sclerosis, paralysis, serious illness in general, cancer.

Currently Angela is one of the most famous and widely used herbs. Angela is also the magic herb that helps us communicate with angels world.
Related topics:
TEA: Green Tea, Miraculous? Part One | Healthmad
Green Tea Versus Tea Black | Quazen​

Read more: Gift of Angels – Angelica Archangel | Healthmad
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Inaelekea Babu hayuko mbali na ukweli. Ila hiyo ya kusema dawa lazima atoe yeye tu.................... wakati kisha waambia watu ni mti gani??........................!!!


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[Ame]

ooh my.. I have never heard that before!

Wewe kama vile mimi but has helped me on describing how I felt when I went through the lines. Duuh Babu unatisha kweli kipaji unacho cha uandishi, mna kauhusiano na Babu wa Loliondo nini? Maana mna potray unique characters alafu mna fanana kwa majina...Anhaaa wazee wa busara! I got it at last whats so special about you two.

 

[Ame]

hivi nyie wenzetu mlisoma shule zetu hizi za kata au ? duh..hicho kingeredha si mchezo..
Ni hilo tu.

Nilimsoma zamani wakati sijawa member kuwa alikuwa huko huko kipande Babu wa Loliondo aliko...Labda mboga za majani za huko zili mfanya aweze kuwa smart katika kujifunza lugha..Ila kwa vile ni mzee inawezekana alisoma enzi za ukoloni na ndiyo ilikuwa lugha rasmi ya Ufalme! I realy envy his ways of articulating issues kwa kutumia lugha fasaha.

 

[NATA]

Big up mwanakijiji

 

[moshdar]

THE CUP OF LOLIONDO: WHEN FAITH MEETS NEEDS!
THE PLIGHT OF A DESPERATE NATION AND A CATEGORICAL INDICTMENT OF THE FAILED HEALTH POLICIES OF THE CORRUPT RULING ELITE(CCM)

​

By. M. M. Mwanakijiji

In their hundreds they come. No, in their thousands. Sick people, and those suspecting that they are seriously sick they all come. People in pain and anguish, desperate people young and old, Christians and Muslims they all come. Old Maasai women and men from the foot of Oldonyo Lengai adorned in their traditionally decorated garbs, some with their babies on their backs, they all come. People of other tribes from far away like Kilimanjaro and some from Dar-es-Salaam and further South they all come, and many more coming from adjacent countries like Kenya and Uganda as well and as far away as Europe and the Middle East; they all come.

In their hundreds they come; No, in their thousands. To a remote village of Samunge in Northern Tanzania about 400 kilometers from Arusha City, Tanzania’s tourist capital. All these sick people some with their caretakers and others alone are flocking to meet a retired Lutheran Pastor Rev. Ambilikile Mwasapile (76) from whom a cup of liquid herbal medicine will be taken. A medicine that seems to be extremely potent with powers to heal some of the incurable diseases the modern Western medicine are still struggling to even understand. Diseases such as diabetes to heart conditions, from back pains to cancers and even more astonishing this medicine is claimed to have power cure to cure HIV infections. Yes, in these extremely hours of their needs in thousands they come.

Some on foot and others on bicycles and even many more others on motorbikes and a lot more in their cars - luxury cars, tourists trucks and even government issued cars. Indeed, hundreds have made this pilgrim journey as it were on buses and now there are reports of people coming in choppers. The filing line to get the medicinal cup is insanely long indeed; with cars and trucks waiting for days to get to the house compound of this seemingly unimposing figure accompanied by a handful of assistants all dressed in casual outfits - loose shirts, pants and shoes.

As the crowd surged and fearing mass hysteria and getting ahead of any potential disaster over the past few days the Arusha regional Police force has stepped in to provide more police officers (general police and riot police) as well as traffic police to control the flow of vehicles to and fro the little village.

It is estimated over 7000 people have reached this village in the past few days. The village is located few miles from Loliondo Game Reserve one Tanzania’s best national parks. Loliondo Game Reserve is known the world over for its pristine beauty, high concentration of wildlife and for quite sometime now by its controversial hunting permit that granted a UAE royal family a license to hunt wildlife in the reserve. This infamous deal remains controversial almost twenty years since it was signed; human rights and environmental activists have called the deal a “hunting with impunity permit” after the pictures and details of brutal hunting techniques employed by the royal hunting party came to light.

It was here in Loliondo the first case of a major corruption scandal to rock the Tanzania government in early 1990s occurred. The Loliondo Gate as it was then known became the symbol of grand corruption and its impacts still being felt even today in most parts of Loliondo. But people are not coming here to protest hunting or to hold rallies against the Arab investors or the government - of course some still do that. They are here in Samunge for healing, at least that’s what they say.

Yes in their hundreds they come; no in their thousands. Police officers, teachers, politicians, businessmen, farmers as well as young college students, they come just to get the ever increasingly famous the “cup of Loliondo”. Pastors some in their roman collars and other religious figures - yes even bishops have come here believing that this medicine will heal their bodies and strengthen their belief in the supernatural workings of Divine Providence. Even after some Muslims and other Christians leaders have admonished their faithful not to make the journey here people have summarily ignored them.

In fact some of the former colleagues of Rev. Mwasapile have indeed blessed his medicine arraying fears that superstitions beliefs were somewhat involved - of course to these people the belief in God is not superstition at all. There are no magical chanting here, there are no incantations around a pentagram; indeed there are no amulets or lucky charms given to cast away evil spirits from “possessed people”. Just a cup of hot herbal medicine taken only once per person per lifetime - nothing less or more. Just a Cup of Loliondo and “thy body shall be well”.

But, it is not free. It costs only 500Tsh per person equivalent of about 0.33 Cents USD. The demand is very high, and the supply of medicinal plant scarce but the price has remained the same and according to the pastor it will remain the same for a foreseeable future. Other providers of different services around the area have used this opportunity to make quick money for themselves; the cost of bottled water around the village for example has doubled and the bus fares from Arusha to Loliondo has almost increased five folds. The cost of the medicinal cup I think in itself is another reason why people come here. It has made it possible for even the poorest of the poor to afford to make the long journey through rugged roads to reach here few miles from Lake Natron. For sick people this is a strange new world; if they were to buy medicine from a local pharmacy for their infirmities the price would be relatively high and becomes an obstacle for getting better treatment. So they come.

They come in multitudes not because the cup of Loliondo promises immortality. It does not. Not because the cup promises the sick people that they would never get sick again. Not so; but because it promises them immediate relief from current conditions that have troubled them and from which they have given up hope of any cure or healing

So they come in their hundreds; no, in their thousands. Not due to any scientific basis of the powers of a little plant known locally here as Mugariga (angelica archangelica??), none whatsoever. So far, there has not been any scientific tests done on the plant or on its supposedly potential healing powers; in fact only recently the the Tanzanian Government has dispatched a scientific team to visit Babu (Grandfather in Kiswahili) and to take some samples from the plant for laboratory testing. The aim is to at least get the scientific understanding of the nature of the powers of this little plant the size of small orchard plant. The government wants to establish and gain an understanding of what the fuss here is all about. But the sick people and their families are not waiting for official word from the government to have faith in the cup of Loliondo. They are the witness of its powers. No microscope nor test tube would change their minds. At least not yet.

So far we do not know yet all the side effects of this medicinal drink and in fact some people have even questioned the manner in which people share cups putting them at risks of contamination from water borne diseases such us typhoid and cholera. For this reason, as soon as the number of peopled in the past weeks increased Rev. Mwasapile and other concerned people demanded that the government would intervene to provide some basic sanitary facilities (such as portable latrines) as well as more cups and bigger aluminum bowls that are used for boiling the plant. The government and other institutions have answered this call and some basic facilities are being placed around the area. There is a possibility that even the Red Cross would be forced to provide tents here. But all these health concerns have not made people fear from taking the medicine or being here.

In fact, it seems nothing said or done will change the minds of these desperate and very inflicted people. To most of them this not just about the plant or the Cup of Loliondo as it were, it is about faith. It is about a belief that God in his eternal mercies and grace has bestowed upon this frailly man a gift of healing and that the herbal plant is just a point of contact - a channel of healing if you will. So people are flocking not because they know if they drink this medicine they will get better; not really, but because the man giving this cup has faith in its powers to heal the very sick. This is an important distinction because otherwise somebody else could have started boiling the same plant in the same manner. So far there are not copycats yet.

Drinking the cup of this medicinal water from Loliondo could be compared (loosely) to drinking holy waters of Lourdes, France or the holy waters of Zamzam in Saudi Arabia. In all three, it is faith that brings people to these points of contact of what believers hold to be God’s healing powers. These are not just any water although they share the same chemical properties they are to believers holy waters. Someone divine has endorsed them; so is the case with the herbal water from the cup of Loliondo.

This belief in the powers of herbal medicine of course is not unique to Tanzania and indeed the belief that there are gifted people among us with certain healing powers is not an exclusive domain of Africans. Almost all societies and cultures from time in memorial have had such individuals in their midst. From China to India, from Europe to South America, from the US even to the Middle East, people have gone to great length to receive healing from unconventional traditional medicines. Many will swear under the penalty of death to the powers of the medicines and indeed many have lived (and continue to live) to witness of the powers of traditional medicine the world over. Even in Tanzania this is not a new tradition at all. Only now in a very unique way it involves a former pastor with the blessings of his church behind him; this is incredibly unique.

According to Rev. Mwasapile, it all started in 1991 when through a dream he was directed to use the plant for healing. For sometimes he ignored the dream until Fall last year when he decided to take seriously and obey it. In the beginning no one in the village believe him until some people from the town started spreading the word when they get back homes in good conditions. The rest as it is said is history.

There is no way to predict how it will all end. It might continue for a little while especially if the results from the lab show that the plant has some medicinal properties. Then, probably more permanent facilities will be built and as the signs now show the little unassuming village in Loliondo might become a little town that becomes a symbol of hope to millions of people especially in these troubling times.

However, there are those who fear (and somehow rightly so) that a cult of personality is building slowly around Rev. Mwasapile; this has some people cautiously following with interests what is happening in this formerly sleepy village. There are also fear that if the situationis mishandled or hastily brought to a halt something more drastic and dangerous might happen here reminiscent of Jonestown massacre in the US in late 1970s or the Uganda cult deaths under Joseph Kibwetere where 500 souls perished in March 2000. Most social critics like myself would urge the authorities to use wisdom and proceed with maximum caution as one would approach a troubled nuclear facility.

The whole episode could as well be a moment that would cause our nation to reflect on itself on the nature of its healthcare services, its accessibility as well as the relationship between tradition/herbal medicine and modern western medicine. For as it stands now this is not even about the plant anymore; in fact it is not even about the Medicine man Rev. Mwasapile; I would propose that it is about the needs of the people and the faith that sustains them.

When a nation such as Tanzania with inadequate health facilities and most of the time with very expensive healthcare services what options are there left for the people? When a health system such as the one in Tanzania which in so many ways is seen to have been embedded with corruption from bottom up and corrupt elements that remain unchecked what hope do poor men and women of Tanzania have? How long should Tanzanians inflicted with a myriad of diseases continue to go to India to get health care services that could otherwise be available at home? In a nation of 40 million people where not even a single world class referral Children’s hospital exist, what hope do families have when tragedies strike?

It is for this reason what is happening in Loliondo in fact is another categorical indictment of the failed health policies of the ruling party -Chama cha Mapinduzi. The current ruling elite has created and sustains a health system where the very powerful and wealth people can easily get world class health services in Europe and India while the poor majority continue to suffer at the mercy of a struggling health system. The President for example, ministers, members of parliament and other top level government officials have created for themselves a system where the tax payers will foot their health care bills for annual medical checkups and treatments in Europe and India’s best hospitals while the poor majority of Tanzania only need such services when are in dire conditions. Such is the plight of these people who come to see Babu to get the cup of Loliondo.

I would propose that the poor majority of Tanzania are left with such an attitude as that of the Psalmist when he cries as if in pain and misery of the heart “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?” and he confidently answer with an assurance of a person filled with an absolute faith in Providence (not in men) and he says “My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.” Yea indeed! the maker of the Mugaruga plant! This my friends does not make any sense, it defies logic and any known scientific proposition. This faith in something greater than ourselves has a way of sustaining a people in ways that only the afflicted understand.

While to others faith is very irrational - In fact it is, to others there is nothing more rational than getting healing from any source of healing available to humanity. Yes even divine healing - whatever that is. It is here then, through the cup of Loliondo where faith of the people meets the needs of the desperate people. As most of us are still contemplating if we too need to make the journey here. May be we are not yet at the threshold of desperation but as history is the witness when we get to the precipice of own mortality we too will see the rationality of going to see Babu!

Only time will be the final arbiter on what is happening here.

So they come, in their hundreds; no in their thousands!

duh!! mwana wa Kijiji, nikiwa darasani kwenye shule zetu hizi za kata alipokuwa anatokea mtu anayo brain inafanafana na ya kwako tulikuwa tunamwita mashine au kipanga...sasa wewe tukwete nani mkuu??!!...basi bakia tu kuwa Mwana Wa Kijiji mtaaluma wetu....Conrats baba!!

jamani hivi babu akirest in piece as of today tiba itaendelea au ndo kwishney?!

 

[TUWEKANE BAYANA]

Mwanakijiji! Thank you for making it clear! NO COMENT..