In my early years, Auntie Mary was but one of my many maternal and paternal aunts and uncles but unlike several others, I knew that she was my mother’s older sisterand when challenged I did not need a long and convoluted conversation toexplainthe relationship. Auntie Mary was also Mammie Dorothy and at times Mammy Judith. I had the good fortune of growing up with my cousins who were often my best friends.We walked to primary school together and spent non-school hours in the same age-group cohort that made us relate to one another more closely than we did with our biological siblings.

Later in life, Dada and Pa Wango’s home became my base in Wum. During my brief visits to Cameroon, I would as a matter of practice visit my maternal village. My trips were in retrospect, quite scripted.With my immediate family in tow,I would drive straight to the Wango’s and get settled in. In the course of the day,I woulddiscuss what I wished to accomplish during my visit and get Dada’s and Pa Wango’s feedback.More often than not, the proposals that they made were adopted. Word would already have been sent to Magha stating that I would be there the next day. After spending time in Magha, I would return to Dada’s,visit with other family around townand depart the same or the following day.

Before one such visit, it was impressed on me that I was expected to honor the many relatives who had passed away. I was willing to oblige and had a budget in mind when I got to Wum.Dada quickly trimmed my bloated budget and had the whole of Magha quarter happily feasting the very next day. To this I can attest; I provided the meagre sum that she insisted was enough and I agreed to the broad outline of the shopping list and I went to bed. Out of that came the best gathering that I have ever “hosted” were one to judge by appreciation and satisfaction. I know my ancestors were pleased with their portion. And for all of that I have Dada to thank.

Gosh where do I begin recounting our summer vacations with Dada? We all looked forward to this time spent running around, eating and just being kids. We all had plates and cups in numeric order from the oldest grandchild to the youngest. I have memories sitting on the steps leading down from her room facing the kitchen eating oh so delicious meals! Dada was an amazing cook! I have this very vivid memory being about 8 or 9 years old, licking my spoon after eating a plate full of rice and stew! Yeah one of my regrets is not getting the recipe of that stew because in my 40years so far, no other stew has even come close!

Anyway I digress. I remember several summers where she would make puff puff for us to “sell” typically we would just leave it infront of the “off Licence” (bar) right next to the house and we would just take turns eating it and not doing much selling. In retrospect I think she did this just so we would have some sense of purpose because truth be told, there was never any money from “selling” that puff puff. At the end of the day we would have 100 or 200frs and we won’t even give it to her. We will spend it at Big Papa’s store buying candy and because our uncles minded the store, we will just end up getting way more candy than we could afford.

The few times she would take us to the farm, she would have spent the day before cooking something delicious to eat during rest time. Well needless to say as soon as we got to the farm and after no more than just wondering around “weeding” we will be hungry and ready for a snack! And ofcourse she will cave and it will be snack/lunchtime and we will eat and just sleep in the shade. 

Ah market days. I always looked forward to market days from the time we woke up. We would eat breakfast and head to the front. There would be people passing infront of the house with various items for sale. Big Papa will already be sitting out front by the time we got there and Dada would be buying from firewood to potatoes and vegetables right in front of her house. And ofcourse there would be many many snacks for us.....mangoes, ground sweet, Millik (milk) mostly for Big Papa but we would ofcourse enjoy some too. The few times I went with her to the market, I was always amazed she knew almost everyone the traders would say “mami nah you be the best customer I go add dash ». 

Summers and times spent with Dada in wum are some of my fondest memories of Dada. Feeling blessed to have had the opportunity to bask in the love of such a doting caring grand mother.