manja a wiri

In the remarks of the head men and women I heard the phrase "manja a wiri" many times. It means with two hands or with both hands. It was often used as 'we thank you with two hands' or 'we welcome you with both hands.' It is such a beautiful image. We show appreciation by clapping with both hands. Or when we are overjoyed, we often clap.

In Malawian culture, you give and receive gifts and shakes hands using both hands--either together or with the left hand on the right forearm. It takes your full attention. It shows respect for the gift and the giver. We don't do that. We are often multi-tasking, with our attention split, only paying partial attention to who or what is in front of us.

But here I am (was) in a village. The villagers did the hard manual labor for their well. The villagers will still have to walk and carry water to their homes. They don't know me and yet they are welcoming me into their village with both hands. They are saying thank you with both hands, giving gifts that they can hardly afford to give. They look you in the eyes as they say thank you. Fully present and joyful and committed to their open giving and their new well.

It reminds me of a covenant made at summer camp. We agreed to giving at least 3 hugs a day. We went on to say that they had to be real hugs-bear hugs. Not a one-arm shoulder squeeze but two arms around the other person. It puts you in the moment with the other person. They have your full attention for that moment.

So I am working at doing things with both hands. To thank people with 2 hands. To welcome people with both hands. To see people with both eyes. To be present and acknowledge others as children of God and worthy of full attention.