I was in a canefarming area and visited a cane farmer and his family for Diwali. His son invited me.While we were having our talanoa session as we were having yaqona, I asked him about all the people living around his home. He said that they were all relatives.
Then I asked him how many siblings did he have.
He said, “Guess mada Allen.”
I couldn’t.
He astounded me when he said that there were 18 of them ? brothers and sisters. Some of them remained canefarmers and some have day jobs.
I couldn’t believe it ? 18 siblings, and all are alive. The place they live in is a settlement unto itself. They plant cane and vegetables for their own consumption.
His parents have since passed on and he said, “Funny Allen, when I had my first child my youngest brother wasn’t born”.
And he gave a big grin.
Anyway, just imagine if in this day and age a husband and wife have eighteen children.
My mind can’t fathom that.
Whew!
