Time topples back at a memory tiny like a fly yet vivid like my first step on the stage of Uganda National theatre. I grew up from an extended family and being the first grandchild from the first child of my grandparents, I grew up groomed by aunties, uncles and cousins that followed next. We had neighbors and because my grandparents were landlords, children from other homes took fancy in playing with us. Among the games we played was Maama Ne' Taata.
One morning, I woke up to a lovely sunrise, the sun peered through the trees, filtering with glimmers through the tree branches and licking the dew off the leaves. The ground was wet.. That morning, as the birds tweet and the hens and ducks jumped about running from their pens, I woke up as usual, a small boy whose daily schedule was about anticipating in the games and doing garden chores.
That morning however, I picked a 500 coin of shilling. It lay on the ground, made a small round depression on the spot. Back then, A 500 coin, would guarantee a kaveera full of eats. Like a butterfly, I went to one of our neighbor's home and told Lydia. A friend of mine whom I grew fond of since we were children, had a chocolate complexion. She was a fine girl who always laughed all the time.
Fearlessly she beat up a boy who pinched my bonny cheeks.
She suggested that we play the game, Maama ne'Taata. My favourite! Immediately Lydia told me to call Passy, to act as father, and her as Mother. Then I was the child. Passy was a cousin of mine. Dark skinned and as tall as a pine tree. He appeared so. Passy, as the father was given the 500 coin to go to work, Lydia and me set out to look for what to play with. We picked things from plastic containers, disfigured or broken or any sort of plastics. Budeyas of all sorts. These acted as mats and carpets that we lay on the floor. In the night, Grandma had prepared Ntula. I detested Ntula, I sneaked in the kitchen and stole a cup of Ntula to act as soup. Lydia was busy acting as though she was cooking, upon sending
me to sleep.
Passy: What is Alex doing?
Lydia: He is sleeping. I will wake him up to take tea and go to school.
Passy: Good! Let us tell him that the coin got lost.
And we share it between us. But you only get 100 shillings.
Then I heard them arguing as they plotted to steal my coin. Immediately, I woke up, crying so alarmingly loud. My grandma came. When she found out everything, she took the coin in the guise of keeping it safe for me. till now, she has never given it back to me.
This memory is so vivid in my life as a Professional Actor now. Because acting is next to reality, I realize the impact of that game every time I am on stage, and it open my eyes to a strong belief I have.
All my life, I am an Actor.
Kitaka Alex
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