Fatmabai Ladha Khaki

Children

The following story has been narrated by Kulsumbai Rajabali Rashid, daughter of Mohamed Manek of Jinja

Mohamed Manek migrated from British Indiato Mombasa in 1905. He then proceeded to Kisumu by train and by boat to Entebbe. He then went to Jinja, where he joined in the employment of the famous entrepreneur Alidina Visram. After working for 15 years, he bought a farm near Bujuta, 14 miles from Jinja. He grew rubber, coffee, sugarcane and maize at this farm. He also produced jaggery from sugarcane.

Mohamed married Fatma Bai Ladha Khaki in 1910.

He and his family lived in a house made of mud. Once he had to travel for work and had to leave his family behind. A group of bandits, armed with bows, arrows, scythes and spears attacked his home while he was away. Mohamed’s wife Fatmabai, took a rifle and started shooting. On hearing rifle shots, the bandits ran away. Fatmabai, who had learned how to use rifle from Mohamed was able to avert disaster.

Mohamed Manek had cows and goats at his farm. He used to regularly lose one or two animals being eaten up by the lions. One early morning, Mohamed opened his house door, only to find two lions staring at him. He immediately got hold of his rifle and fired shots at the lions.

In 1926, there was a plague outbreak. An Ismaili brother, Rashid Khamis, his wife and his daughter got this infectious disease. Rashid’s wife died as a result of this disease. No one was ready to give Ghusl (Islamic ritual bath) to the lady due to the infectious nature of the disease. Fatmabai and an African lady gave Ghusl. On the second day, Rashid passed away and Mohamed gave him Ghusl and handed over the body to the Ismaili community. On the third day, the daughter passed away and Fatmabai carried out the Ghusl rituals.

Mohamedbhai Manek passed away in Jinja in 1947.

He had five sons and two daughters with his first wife Fatmabai who passed away in 1935 at Jinja.