Shepherding the cattle
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 | 210 Views |
Timeless: Young boys have herded livestock since time immemorial PIC: FLICKR.COM
It was only one-way: The boys will immediately receive two or three strokes as a sharp reminder never to repeat it. This was the elders’ first line in many attempts to inculcate a sense of responsibility and accountability on the boys, for the future engagements. In other circumstances, even the girls shouldered the responsibility to follow the animals.
Whether kept for milk or beef, cattle formed a crucial part of the rural economies as it supported many families differently.
It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...