Healthcare provision is limited in this part of Tanzania and often people die before they can be seen by a medical professional. Here, Althea gives an account of how the end of the mourning period for Bisura, a member of our community who died recently, was celebrated.

Bisura, who worked for Tukae washing clothes and helping out with other jobs, died of meningitis in September. she was a young widow with an eight year old child. She was a very beautiful girl, and is a loss to Tukae as well as to her community.

It is customary in Tanzania to hold a celebration or get-together 40 days after someone dies. I have previously attended a Mass after the same period for a young priest. Bisura was a Muslim, so we joined in with that community's celebration last Saturday at her mother's house.

Muslim women cover their heads and wear a khanga over their dress or skirt. These are brightly printed cloths which can be wrapped around like a sarong, or used like a shawl to carry a baby. Both Caroline and I complied with this out of respect. We were taken into the house to sit in a room with Bisura's mother and other women while the men and the overspill of women and children waited outside while their Mwalimu, or the teacher in the mosque, addressed the company on the meaning of the 40 days period. I think, though I haven't had this confirmed, that it must mark the end of a period of mourning.

After the address, everyone joined in a meal provided by Bisura's mother. My understanding is that people contribute towards this to help her to provide a good meal. We, that is Fr Baruti, Stephen, Caroline and I were given a meal in her brother's house, with one of the elders of the community, Mzee Abedi, who works for Tukae. Rice and meat are provided, not everyday items for the people here, but only for special occasions.

It was good to feel part of the community and I felt privileged to have been asked.