Humanist

Where was Adam when the snake was tempting Eve?

Where was Adam when the snake gained access to Eve?

Why did Adam not stop from sinning by refusing to take a bite of the forbidden fruit?

 Why did Adam accept the temptation and not rebuke the evil?

These questions or questions similar and more were asked by Honourable Miriam Matembe (PhD), during her speech at Marian Nkwanzi’s Muhingiro. Yes, to deliver her profound message, Dr. Matembe used a story from the Bible:

“The Old Testament tells of Adam and Eve, our progenitors. They lived in paradise in total innocence until the serpent (the devil) enticed them to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge. As punishment for their disobedience, God banished them from Paradise. Genesis Chapter 3 of the Bible recounts the story of Adam, the first man God created, and the woman God formed from one of Adam’s ribs. They lived piously in the Garden of Eden until the serpent, craftier than the other animals, led the woman into temptation … Since the woman sought wisdom, she ate the fruit of the tree, and gave some to Adam to eat too. “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked.””

Alimentarium, Eve and the Forbidden Fruit

My take of Dr. Matembe’s speech and her interpretation of the Eve and the forbidden fruit story is that she wanted to emphasize the role and responsibility of the husband. The central logic being that the husband must take responsibility for his own actions and not simply blame his wife.

In addition, seemingly, Dr. Matembe, wanted to highlight the importance of the man being the protector of his wife, of his home and of his family. It is his duty and responsibility not to let outsiders, physically and or in word and or in spirit, to gain access to his wife, to his home and to his family, so as to negatively influence them.

But, if and when it happens, Dr. Matembe’s cautionary message to the husband is do not blame your wife 100 percent, for, as a husband, you do bear some responsibility. Your failings, as a husband, allow the serpent to gain access. And when it does gain access, you go along with it, instead of rebuking its evil.

What a fabulously refreshing perspective of this particular Bible story, in which Dr. Matembe effectively interrogates that which is often taken as a given – it is the fault of woman that man committed “the original sin.” Be that as it may, where was Adam? Good question and food for thought.

Back to the point, the essence of Dr. Matembe’s message was that husband and wife are together in the journey of marriage that is fraught with highs and lows, successes and challenges, strength in spirit and weakness in spirit, etc.

Dr. Matembe congratulates her little sister Nkwanzi, the bride, during her final marriage ceremony.

Indeed, at the final marriage ceremony of the couple, Nkwanzi and her husband Oscar Thomas Kalyanago, Dr. Matembe referred back to her message at Nkwanzi’s muhingiro and used it to guide the newly formally and legally married Mr. and Mrs. Kalyango to:

• Be understanding of each other
• Love each other unconditionally
• Give peace to each other
• Support each other

Now, Dr. Matembe is world famous for her directness and vigour as an academic, activist and public servant. She is known not to mince her words – she calls a spade a spade, so to speak. She acknowledges this as her brand and during her speech she let us know that often Nkwanzi is likened to her.

Be that as it may, Dr. Matembe, shared that she is was now 48 years in marriage and her marriage is still going strong. Albeit she and her husband being known to have different personalities, but they are a harmonious couple.

With humour, Dr. Matembe shares how she, whose clan totem is ente (cow), is married to her husband, Mr. Nekemiah Matembe, whose clan totem is engo (leopard). And interestingly, Nkwanzi and her husband Kalyango are of exactly of the same pairing – she is of ente and he is of engo.

Mr. and Mrs. Matembe @ New Vision

According to Dr. Matembe, the longevity of the marriage of she, of ente and he, of engo, is because they have made it a priority to understand each other and to tolerate each other as they are.

What a great way for Mr. and Mrs. Kalyango to formally start their marriage with great words of wisdom from she who knows what she is talking about and is successfully living what she advises.