ZUMUNCHI: A POWERFUL TERM IN THE ZONGO COMMUNITIES IN GHANA

 

ZUMUNCHI

Let's talk about Zumunchi in our Zongo Communities.
A culture that requires that we visit families and friends regularly. A culture that requires that we always check on them to be sure if they are fine. In Zongo communities, there is nothing like loneliness or hunger due to this valued culture called zumunchi. A beautiful culture that is gradually fading away.
Zongo communities; when a woman gives birth, she gets enormous support from women. On that note I want to narrow down on zumunchi that takes place when a woman gives birth. And the role women play in this zumunchi.

Whenever a woman gives birth, the women folks in her family come around to cook, clean and bath the baby and in some culture even bath the mother and massage her with hot water. That is before the naming ceremony, on the "Sunnah Day" (Naming Ceremony), same women come around to cook and serve guests food. They don't end there; they give massive financial support. The mother usually has a special bag she put the money in, 90% of those who contribute are women. Moreover, there is a special place for gift. People bring cloths, bar soaps, powdered soap, baby dresses, diapers etc... If the mother is a socially active person, her gift can't be measured because most of those she treated kindly will also come around and show some love. Some women account that, they can reach 5 years in their marriages without buying bar soaps and powdered soap. Some also reach many years without buying clothes. They then turn around to gift others with the same gift they got in their naming ceremony due to their generosity.

Why are young people in this generation not as passionate about Zumunchi like our mother's and grandmothers did? Discuss