Amayi

Translated it means "Mothers" or "Moms".  It is also used as a title for any woman similar to Miss or Mrs.  The equivalent for guys is Abambo.  It means "Fathers" and is used in the same way.  Amayi here at Bakhita refers to the group of women who clean the school and cook in the Dining Hall.  They are very highly regarded by me...okay probably by everyone, but I don't think I should speak for the entire group...oh, what the hell.  They are highly regarded by everyone.  For a long time they made me very uncomfortable because they are super respectful and probably a little timid around foreigners.  Anytime I passed by one of them sweeping she would stop, do a curtsy kind of thing, and greet me with her head down.  Other times if I was about to pass one walking down a corridor, she would veer way off into the grass as I passed.  This got a little annoying as I don't see myself as being that intimidating or deserving of that kind of respect so I began making an effort to ease the tension.  The only way I know how to make myself more approachable is to make myself more ridiculous.  I began to return the curtsy and greeting they were giving me (not usually performed by men) which they thought was hilarious, and any time one of them veered out of my path, I veered out right in front of her.  A couple of times one would hide behind a pillar as I passed, and I would either walk around the other side and surprise her or hide on the opposite side and slowly peak around the corner.  They are no longer as intimidated and they are comfortable enough sometimes to tease me in Chichewa as I pass.  Occasionally I understand, but other times I just laugh along with them.  I know a little Chichewa to jab back with so it is a healthy give and take.  Of course most of my jabs are usually accusing them of drinking to much Chibuku (local beer) which they don't.  Amayi Pakati is my favourite.  She is everywhere doing just about anything and always laughs.  Amayi James is the wife of James the watchman.  Her name is actually Ivy, but James was working here before her and it was awhile before we actually found out what her name was so we just called her Amayi James.  Amayi Stilevia (I think this might the Malawian Silvia) works in the kitchen and was dubbed Amayi Kitchen by Gabi.  She found out about it and thinks it is funny so we still call her that sometimes.  Amayi Mary is always smiling and very active in the church so I see her a lot outside the school.  I think her daughter has started Form 1 this year, but I haven't confirmed it yet.  The other two are Amayi Mbewe and Amayi Chuma.  I don't know much about them and used to frequently confuse them.