She lived mostly in extreme poverty. Simply eating was an issue, most of the days. She belonged to the low caste of the society, and had some friends among the servants, beggars and workers. People saw Butemwe as cultivated, eager to read and learn when possible, and mastering writing, which she did for friends. She was force of nature, and people saw in their body and beauty the incarnation of a god. She was known to be lazy, barely waking up in the morning.