Since Elizabeti went to church, along with both sets of parents, many felt "it was not understandable why he would leave his wife to go to church alone."[13] Sukuma tradition dictates that a wife must not leave her husband at home alone, so it was shameful for Yohana's wife to go to church each Sunday without him.
Ikawa haieleweki.”[13] Maana katika mila za kisukuma mwanamke hapaswi kumwachia mji mmewe kwa hiyo ilikuwa aibu kwa Yohana kuachiwa mji na mkewe kwenda kanisani siku ya Jumapili. Hata Yohana angejaribu kumkataza mkewe asiende baba yake na baba mkwe wake wangemruhusu kwenda kanisani.