Griffin Speaks

KAMU

The belief that prayer, God’s intervention or the actions of an individual healer can cure a sick person has been popular throughout world history. We have witnessed many recoveries that have been attributed to a myriad of practices administered by “faith healers."  I can remember vividly watching the Reverend Ernest Aimsley on television saying: “HEEEEAL! "

In 1983, while matriculating in the Boston University School of Law Tax program I met a student that introduced me to a faith healer. The faith healer was named Kamu. I have yet to meet a person as fascinating as that man.

My interest in Kamu stemmed from having a juvenile diabetic brother. Things were not going well for my brother at the time that I consulted Kamu to help him. He was at the brink of death. Fortunately he had recovered and was well enough to make the historic trip with my mother and father to Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Kamu was anxious to see my brother, because he was certain that he could help him. I asked Kamu how much it would cost me? He said just leave me a small tip. Kamu was an incredible man.

Kamu lived in a white two-story house a few blocks from Harvard Square. When you entered his home you were certain to see five to six white Harvard students waiting on him hand and foot. I never saw Kamu leave his bed. An eighty-year-old portly black man, Kamu was the King!

I picked my Mom, Dad and brother up from Logan Airport early that morning. On our ride from the airport I informed them that we had to go straight to Kamu’s home to get my brother’s first session. They were not exactly thrilled, but agreed to relinquish the promised lunch at Legal Seafood.

We arrived at Kamu’s home full of anticipation and hope that he would be able to help my brother. We were desperate. My father was more of a believer than we were. Kamu was lying on his bed under the covers when we entered his bedroom. “Come on in!” he shouted. He then beat his chest ten times and let out a huge yell! My mom and brother looked at me as though they wanted to ring my neck. My dad looked at me as though he had seen Jesus in the flesh!

My dad introduced himself to Kamu and immediately stated his purpose. He told Kamu that he believed that he could help his son. He said that he would be willing to pay any price that he could afford if he could help him. Kamu said not to worry about money. “Just leave me a small tip!”

As we sat there in Kamu’s bedroom a very attractive young white female Harvard student entered the room. Kamu told my brother that he should go to the back bathroom with her and get in the tub. My brother began to grin from ear to ear. Kamu explained that she was going to give him a bath in his special ointment. The ointment was a purple liquid with a strange sweet smell. My mother was a little reluctant about my brother leaving her sight. She just wasn’t buying into this special session. My brother was now suddenly a willing participant. He couldn’t wait to get to the tub.

We remained in Kamu’s bedroom while my brother received his healing bath. Kamu looked at my dad and asked him if he needed any healing. My dad responded: “I sure do!” These corns on my feet have been killing me for years!” “Can you help me with that problem?” Kamu said, “Of course I can.” Come on over here and lie down next to me on my bed.”

My mother and I did not know what to expect next. When my dad lay on Kamu’s bed, Kamu reached over and stuck his hand down my dad’s pants. I don’t know what he grabbed, but my dad was jumping around like a fish out of water. To this date, that was the single funniest moment in my life! I thought my mother and me would die from laughing. Kamu finally removed his hand and started beating his chest and yelling. He must have cured my dad’s corns because I had never seen my father jump up so quickly.

My dad looked at my mother and suggested to her that she let Kamu give her a treatment. My mom looked at Kamu and my dad and said NO THANKS! My brother came back into the room. He looked relaxed. He was still grinning from ear to ear. He sat on the bed next to Kamu for the second part of the treatment. Kamu started chanting and beating my brother with his hands. My brother said that he was exhausted after his session with Kamu. He had a total of three treatments before he left Cambridge to return to North Carolina three days later. On his last visit to Kamu, my dad requested that Kamu give him a double treatment.

On the return flight my mom, dad and brother carried some of the purple water that Kamu insisted was his healing potion. My mom continued to be skeptical until she noticed that my brother’s health improved. He went years without any death threatening episodes. He is still with us today enjoying life.

I lost contact with Kamu. I don’t know if he is still alive. My guess would be that he has passed on. He was well known in Harvard circles. The students loved him and so did I. In addition to giving us hope for my brother, he gave my mother and me the funniest moment in our lives.

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by logging on to his webpage at www.greggriffin.com