Rock Painting

Central Tanzania is part of tectonically, isolated granite hills and rocks formed by remnants of the Precambrian basement that extended north to Lake Victoria.

The region have been habited by different ethnics group include Wasi, Wa-Rangi, Wa-Sandawe, Wa-Gogo, Wa-Mbugwe, Wa-Nyiramba, Baribaigi(Wa Mang’ati), Hadzabe(Wa-Habesh or Wa-Tindiga) and Wa-Nyaturu.

Their culture is noted in long history of the region since Stone Age period.
Today, the region is characterized by diverse culture that has evolved through interactions between Khoisan, Bantu and Nito-Hamite.

It is not quite clear which group was the first in the region. What we know is our ancestors occupied the region since middle Stone Age time 2,000 to 3,000 years ago. People have been adopting for many years to the changing condition by adopting at different technology and tradition.

The region is well known for it finest rock paintings, thought to have been the work of ancestors of today’s Sandawe people.

The rock art of Central Tanzania is the most extensive in East Africa and rank the 2rd in the prehistoric art of Africa.

The Stone Age painters recreated the world around them in scenes. The painting extended from Kondoa district to Iramba and northern parts of Singida districts.

Since 2006 Kondoa rock art painting were declared a world Heritage.

VALUE AND FUTURE OF ROCK ART.
Much of the early rock art predates writing and even oral remembered history. It is all that is now left to tell us of our ancestor’s views of their world, the visions of realty, their values and beliefs. The art is in fact a form of early visually communication.

These paintings are not merely symbols; many often portray great skill in their form and determination and demonstrate the artist’s goals and talents of our ancestors.

In spite sun, wind and rain, many of these works have survived for about seven thousand years on the exposed rocks. Almost certainly, the large red and cream colored animal paintings found in central Tanzania represent the oldest existing art in East Africa. How longer will they last, depend very large on us. The art will only survive if the environment is conserved and valued by all who counter it.

WHAT MEANS THE ART
As difficult it is to determine why artist paint it is even more difficult to ascertain what was the purpose of this rock art. Most researchers have suggested symbolic values that expressed the artist’s deepest religious feelings and conceptions of reality. This, it is argued it was shamanic in nature involving control of the elements and community hilling.

However, other underlying purposes of rock art are more obscure, but they may well symbolize objects of reference. If ancient Egyptians used pictorial presentations as a system of writing and keeping records, can’t we say that these also were our ancestor’s form of writing and object of reference?

WHO MADE THE PAITINGS?
The identity of the artists and the date of their work are not clear. However, several scholars have attributed them to Khoisan hunter-gatherers, the ancestors of today Sandawe and Hadzabe population of the region. In the Kaokaveld of northern Namibia mountain “Omukuruwaro” “mountain of Gods” (as known by indigenous), today “Brandberg”(2574m highest in Namibia). There Meek’s cave which it had long been known to Sun as the “Cave of Memory” The cave is thought to have been a ceremonial place. It hosts a giant rock frieze 16ft long and 8ft. high which had been painted on by many generations of artists. The rock painting at Twyfelfontein in Namibia in 2007 was also declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

What is known is that over many millennia, a great diversity of people has come together in East Africa. It is after 3,000 years ago, when we had the earliest cultivating and animal keeping community in the region. Interaction between these people and the hunter-gatherers remain speculative.
HOW OLD ARE THE PAINTINGS?
More than 6,000 years old. The Brandberg at Maack’s shelter rock paintings (famous as “White lady”) in Namibia are estimated be between 2,000 to 4,000 years old.
RAPIDY CHANGE
When Dr. Leakey visited Kondoa 1929 the plains were still rich in games including giraffe, eland, roan antelope, kudu, zebra, etc. But six years later, even dik dik had disappeared; mostly due to the British Admiration tse tse fly campaign. Today, the animals population had bit recovered. This can be seen as one driving from Maasai steppe towards Kondoa and from Kondoa towards East to Manyoni. Although animal’s population faces several circumstances due to the expansion of the human activities in the region.

Brids watching and........

In this part of the world, way of life changing very fast perhaps to match with every where in the world. I couldn’t help myself to think about that in those days when I was living with my grand mother. She was and still complains that I don’t behave like African youth according to traditional and customs. For me that claim was merely her way to hinder me to “achieve pleasure and avoiding pain”. Chasing girls, drug and substance abuse, disobedient and some other like habits were and still are alternative and not choice for the most youths. We went to school, despite the efforts of our teachers who tried to change our motive by endeavor us with most Africans literature's books such as those from Ngongi Wathiong, Chinua Achebe and so much more. Unfortunately our brains were and in some extent are blunt and blinded with our impulse and common aide of matching with developing country of the western. I’m not contrary about that as long as we will be able to differentiate fact and logic. This will make as stop feeling backward for our being. Our favorite studies which I hope if we had been given an exam we would perform well were and still are Hollywood subjects. Here we are learning in the very simple way how to behave: What should we desire; how can we wearer; how should we look like, etc, etc.

Bird watching and several other things I’m doing and some other few friends do too. Two years ago me and some other friends whom I met at the tourism training college. In these colleges our parents for the money they earn from selling the fortune maize or the grains sent us to be trained for unavailable jobs. This is due to our failure to carry hoe, panga (machete) and calabash full of water. Clear the remain forest to enlarge the field and search for more fertile land. Then till it under the burning sun. After all blood work we sore seed and in great anxious we have to look on the sky every day for unpredictable rain.

After training college which make little deference with the farm, unpredictable rain and unpredictable jobs are alike. Luckily few of us had little enlightenment which course us embarrass unconventional way. The “Less traveled way”. While majority keep on in the in “Popular traveled”.

In non conventional we keep on develop our skills, searching for knowledge and understand as we found out we can’t live to day with the old understand. In this way we are able to abolish frustration and anxious. In that point my own philosophy of life is close to this;

The best moments in our lives are not passive, receptive, relaxing times…the best moments usually occur when person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult end worthwhile”.
Mihaly Csikszentmihaly.

Carl Peters

Carl Peters was a German explorer, journalist and philosopher, instrumental in the founding of German East Africa and helped create the European "Scramble for Africa". Despite being vilified for cruelty to Africans and removed from office, he was later praised by Kaiser Wilhelm II and was considered a German hero by Hitler.

Ernegy Vampires

Have you ever noticed that there are certain people - co-workers, relatives, friends - who are like happiness leeches, sucking you dry of your energy with their bad vibes and, in turn, showering you with their own negativity? You know the types, they consistently bring you down with their dark outlook and petty grievances, using their own lack of self-assurance to knock down everyone else in sight, and speaking only of what's wrong, instead of what's right.

These are the ones for whom the proverbial glass is always half empty. Moreover, they are the ones who are so toxic, they not only miss the rainbow after a rainy day, but they also miss the beauty of the rainy day itself. And then they leave you covered with the detritus of their own misery.

There's no need to fall victim, however. Even though you can't always avoid such energy vampires, you can protect yourself from absorbing their bleak worldview and negativity so you can continue to embrace life without depressive interruptions.

Definition: positive energy
First, imagine positive energy as a perfect alignment of emotions, thoughts and behavior. An example would be a dinner party, surrounded by like-minded people whose intellect and conversation match your own. You feel buoyed by such connections and can let your guard down. There is no danger of being pulled into the undercurrent of jealousy, anger or resentment - only the uplifting feeling of positivity. Imagine yourself as having a protective shield surrounding you. The shield is always on, but at this moment it is on a dimmer switch and doesn't need to be activated to optimal brilliance.

In a negative energy situation - a meeting at work with lots of blame-laying and hurt feelings, or an outing with a friend who never ceases to gripe - your shield should be up, full force. This energy force of golden vibes and protective love is what you tap into when you feel the need. You may not see this protective light, but you can sense it. This also applies to your own negative "voices" - the ones that say you're not good enough, smart enough, talented enough to get the job, promotion or good life that you want. If you can't ignore those voices of self-doubt, just tell them to "be quiet." You're in control, not them - because if you give in to them, your creativity is out the window.

Bad vibe protection
You must protect yourself from drowning in the bad vibes of others so that your own subtle energy doesn't become stagnant and weigh you down. Aside from the energy shield, there are other techniques you can follow. In yoga, the word "Satnam" means "the truth within you." By surrendering to your truth, you will follow your proper life path. Repeat this word as you breathe out negativity and inhale positivity.

Absorb the loving energy instead: the unconditional love of your pet as it nestles up to you, the sweet caress of a lover, the sound of voices joining in unison in a spiritual gathering… these are all good and should be embraced. Like energy "candies" they fortify you with their joyous purity to better handle toxic encounters that may arise.

Deactivation
Use humor to alleviate dark emotions and remember to vanquish your own by freeing yourself of resentment. Identify your fears, face them, embrace them and then say goodbye to them. Trust your gut about danger and choose your actions wisely. Keep a journal that lists both the good things you've done and the amends you need to make. Then act on them.

Besides all this "feel good" advice, use common sense: Drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, commune with nature and don't spend so much time with electronic gadgets that you forget to live life for real. You'll feel centered and re-energized.

Remember, energy begets energy. This is a reflection of physiology but also describes emotions. What you put out is what you'll receive - if you're sending off enough positivity, you may then force it through the negative person's shield and wind up helping them as well. Now wouldn't that be great?

Trees planting at Rivers Songota valley

The map shows that 83% of the land surface is influenced by the one or more of the following; human population density greater than 10km square, agricultural land use, built-up areas, access with 15km of road, major rivers or coast, and nighttime light bright enough to be picked up by satellite sensors.

Most of the human activities on the earth affect the environment which is based on balance ecology.

Songota River it among the small rivers flow from the volcanic mountain, Mount Meru (4565m). The river rejoined another river as it flows towards the Maasai plains and latter turns to the Indian Ocean. South -West, South, and South –East of Mt. Meru as well as most of the mountain in East Africa which receives the wind from the Indian Ocean experience enough rainfall. The rainfall makes a crucial contribution to supporting the lush green forest the source of the catchment and several rivers.

The distribution of the people in East Africa up to 20th century was (and still is to the great extent) determined by the variables such as elevation, distribution of lakes and rivers, vegetation, and climate. For stance; the farmer communities were consecrated and still are, in the fertile soil in the high land. These communities went trough fast-growing population because the region is free from Malaria and other contagious.

The utilization of natural resource in these areas was high and still are. They to have to clear the forest to extend farms in order to increase the production for substance and for exchange, get more space for building space and building material, and for energy (firewood).

Due to these limit consideration activities, areas such as the Songota rivers valley started to erode because of trees cutting and unplanned farming systems. According to local people around the valley was characterized by unpetrateble riverine forest. Slowly people start to exploit it. Today there are no trees and grasses used to stabilize the soil such as bamboo or fig. trees.

Songota Falls Lodge is ecolodge established nearby in the valley and make the use of the falls. The management conserves and protects a small area of the valley. The conservation of this area gives an example.

The first time when I was doing bird watching in this and went down to rest at the waterfalls I was excited with the conserved area. I have been disappointed by the bare areas which started to react by eroding. I went to the lodge we discuss the matter with the owner Joyce Kimaro, the owner decides that we will arrange the trees planting in the valley.

As we were still working on the tree planting the lodge receives three clients. Brian Canadian man with his two children. Mike who is now doing research on agroforest in Kenya. And Shana a postgraduate student in Canada. Mike admires our ideal as he says he would like to participate in this event.

We decide to plant trees on 14th May 2019. Songota Falls Lodge contributes 100 trees and organizes the participation of the villagers, I myself I contribute 30 trees, Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST) 20 trees, and villagers apart of participating the contribute a lot of grasses which also can be used to feed their livestock on the future.

A total of 150 trees and lots of grasses were planted. The villagers promise to make a follow up of the progress of the trees. 

TANZANIA’S ECOTOURISM REVIEW.

Tanzania’s conservation and strategies have undergone significant changes since the mid-1980. During the 1990s, tourism has become the country‘s most important foreign exchange earner, and there are real efforts by some government departments and conservation.

Tourism dollars are, for the first time, providing funds to run Tanzania’s national parks and local community projects. There is optimism and conviction among TANAPA official that if local people are involve in the conservation and benefit from tourism, Tanzania’s wildlife will survive. Scatted around the country are some fine examples of private entrepreneurs running tourism projects with sensitivity for the environment and the community. But genuine ecotourism projects are few, small in scale, and often underfunded. And despite the rhetoric, the government has developed no overall tourism strategy. “Tanzania is going to kill its goose”, contends Kenya ecotourism operator Stive Tunner. “There’s effort to control tourism. I’s the biggest make-for-all I’ve ever see”.

Tanzania’s formerly president, Benjamin Mkapa, who took the office 1996, also believed that the government, not the marketplace, must economic polices and provides social services. Mkapa, who was a foreign minister and ambassador to the United State under Julius Nyerere, quickly staked out a position supporting sustainable tourism development. “We will not let our shoot term needs for money obscure our long term commitment to conserve and preservation”, Mkapa said. With a none too veiled reference to Kenya, Mkapa contended that “while others have overexploited and over-commercialized their natural resources…..we have the advantage of being able to learn from the experience of other and, therefore, avoid costly mistakes”.

The Mkapa government’s minister of natural resources and tourism, Zakia Meji, was a competent and principle former university professor who has taken several wise measure to improve conservation, tourism, and tourism revenue. One of her first moves to halt construction of new hotels in Serengeti national Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, while actively counting investors for the southern parks and those along the coast. In early 1998, Mejia made the controversial decision that Tanzania should sell its ivory stockpiles as part of an effort to raise funds for improving tourism facilities. Parallel with moves, however, corruption remains widespread and mkapa’s government failed to carry out most of its pledges, including a long scheduled nationwide environmental impact study and master plan.

Tourism is now viewed as Tanzania’s best hope for development, and ecotourism, loosely defined to include nature tourism lite, and genuine ecotourism, is widely hailed by government as the model Tanzania is pursuing. In terms of the definition of real ecotourism, Tanzania stacks up as follows.
1. Involves travel destinations. Tanzania rates high on this criterion. Its Northern Circuit including some of the finest and least spoiled wildlife and game parks in the world, and the government is making a concerted effort to open up to both wildlife viewing and sport hunting the largely and little vast little explored southern game parks. Along the coastline and islands such as Mafia and, most important, Zanzibar, Tanzania is viewed as a pristine alternative to Kenya’s over developed coast line. Tanzania’s tourism sector remains largely “enclave” tourism, with the game parks and islands, rather than the entire country, being marketed for ecotourism.
2. Minimizes impact. To date, damage has been done mainly in the heavily visited destinations, Kilimanjaro Nation and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Although poaching has taken a serious toll, the negative environmental affects of nature tourism have been relatively limited. After independence, the Tanzania n government built game park that were architecturally respect full though not very environmentally sensitive in terms of conservative of freshwater, waste disposal, or staff housing. There is a recognition that no new hotels should be built inside the parks of the Northern Circuit, that hotel staff and guards must be moved outside the parks boundaries, and that only tented camps should be permitted. But there principles continuo to be bent and broken. And with a few exceptions, most notably wwf’s Mafia island project, Tanzania is pushing conventional beach tourism, based on overseas package tours, and supports no real community involvement. The fact that Tanzania’s extraordinary natural resources are largely unspoiled reflect the reality that tourist numbers are still relatively low, the number of game lodges is still small, and the parks themselves are difficult to reach. New reads, particulary paved road from Arusha into the Northern Safari Circuit, could rapidly change this, and the government, now locked into tourism as its principal source of foreign exchange, has failed to make an overall environment.
3. Builds environmental awareness. In this category, Tanzania receives high marks for education of foreign visitors but not for that of coterie of local, high- quality naturalist guides, park rangers and guards, scientists, and, on Mount Kilimanjaro, mountain guides and porters. In addition, there are now a number of private camps, lodges, and tour companies practicing solid ecotourism and giving their guests their guest highly informative tours. Some tours companies prepare visitors before hand with articles and list books. Environmental education is, however, far less widespread among Tanzanians themselves, for whom even a basic primary education is not always available, particularly in rural areas. Visiting Tanzania’s park is expensive (even with cut-rate prices for those living in the country), so domestic tourism remains low. Although the number local and international environmental organization Tanzania has grown in recent years and there is more popular awareness of environmental issue, for most Tanzanians the national parks are simply a source of foreign exchange and, for the Maasai, a source of their own exploitation.
4. Provides direct financial benefits conservation. Conservation is being benefited, but much more needs to be done. Unlike the situation in Kenya, Costa Rica, and South Africa, their vitually no private parks or reserves, so all foreigners who go on safari do so in the national parks. In the late 1990s, the government made an appropriate decision to rain park entrance fees in the northern Safari Circuit from $20 to $25 per day, while lowering them from $20 to 15 in the less visited parks in Southern Circuit in an effort to better disperse. Now entrance fees from July 2007 Serengeti National Park are $50, Kilimanjaro $60, Gombe $100, Mahale 80 and others in the Northern Circuit is $35 and Southern is $20. With the increase in tourism numbers and the hike in the entry fees, more money is coming into the national parks’ coffers. But TANAPA also faces many more demands, including several new parks to manage, the need for new or upgraded facilities and infrastructure, and necessity of training more guards and park officials. At the same time, a rising percentage of its profits are going to Community Base projects in local communities. Therefore, both TANAPA and Wildlife Division, remain severally Underfunded.
5. Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people. There is same small, but largely positive, progress in this area. Although benefits have greatly increased, local development and ecotourism projects rarely lead to empowerment of local people. Many of the communities in Tanzania’s parks are now get tangible benefits from gate fees, tourism projects, and hunting concessions. Although this project speaks of a “partnership” with the local communities, it is an uneven and often paternalistic partnership in which rent is paid for land use but local people have no say in the way the tourist project or park is run. Financial and material benefits are, therefore, sometimes little more than bribes or buyouts. But there are some exceptions, including the Retour Project in Loliondo, the interactive negotiations between the Maasai and Dorobo and Oliver’s Camp, and some TANAPA’s Community Base projects represent an important movement from individual ecotourism projects to a national program, ma step toward moving ecotourism from a niche market to a set of principles and practices to reshape the country’s tourism and an environment impact assessment and strategy illustrate, the government remains weak and lacks consistent national planning , a clear sense of direction, and strong leadership.
6. Respect local culture. Tanzania scores poorly in this regard. Despite some efforts, much prejudice remains towards the Maasai and other pastoralists. They continue to be viewed by government officials, tour operators, and visitors as tourist attractions and sources of souvenirs. Most tourists continue to come to Tanzania to see the wildlife, not to learn about local culture or history. Little seems to have changed: dollars are exchanged for photographs or beards but there are little real interchange or understanding on either side. Now Tanzania Tourist Board which is responsible for promoting tourism create new branch Culture Tourism Program which will be responsible for promoting culture tourism. Although Tanzania’s tourism has not resulted in serious problems with prostitution or other social ills largely because the game parks are fairly isolated from population centers there is a need to develop more culturally sensitive and educational forms of interaction.
7. Supports human rights and democratic movements. Indirectly, ecotourism has did so. Tanzania, though not fully democratic, is not a dictatorship, and in recent years there has been an increase in the number of NGOs and independent community and rural organizations and in political activism. The rise of ecotourism is one of the forces giving impetus to these struggles. Some Maasai leaders, TANAPA officials, private tour operators, and local and international NGOs are trying to use ecotourism to provide both financial support and political empowerment to local people.
The Mkapa government has done disappointingly little to curb corruption, revamp basic social services such as public health and education, or building a national development strategy that incorporates the principles and practices of ecotourism. The democratic “flowering” seen around the 1996 elections remains very fragile. It is uncertain how much political leeway be given in the future grass roots democratic organizations and how much the Maasai and other living around the parks will really be included in decision making and profit sharing. Mainland activists are worried by the government’s continuing support Zanzibar’s unpopular and undemocratic leader, Salimin Amour whose the 1995 or Abed Karume (2005) election has been widely disputed. Regrettably, tourists traveling to Tanzania remain largely ignorant of the demands, desires, and aspiration of those living around the parks. Because Tanzania’s political struggles have been largely peaceful and low—key, many tourists are not aware of them and tour operators and naturalist guides rarely discuss politics urged to do so.

Transpinotat

The wonder of migratory birds (The factors which force them to migrate)

Birds are migrating from Europe and Asia to Africa and vice verse.
The movement of birds between parliactic (America & Europe) and Ethiopia (Southern Sahara), Oriental and Ethiopia or Parliactic and Oriental is due to
• Climate Changes
• Time Change
• Food Change

Climate Changes
Winter is cold and makes harsh strong condition to birds. Since birds are worm blood can not with stand such harsh condition so they migrate to tropical worm climate (Ethiopian Region).

Time Change
In winter days are shorter and cold so birds have limited time to eat sufficiently instead they spend much time without moving; that why they have to tropical worm climate.
Food Change (Short food Supply)
In winter field are covered by snow, so seed get covered by snow as well as insect, amphibian and other small mammals go hibernation. This situation is enough to make birds migrate from Parleactic and Oriental to Ethiopian regions where it is worm, long day and food supply is constant

Afrika is a most wonderful country, Dr.Livingstone

Africa is a most wonderful country for appetites and it is only when one gloats over marrow bones or elephant feet that indigestion is possible. No doubt much toil is involved and fatigue of which travelers in the more temperate climes can form but a faith conception. But the sweat of one’s brow is no longer a curse when one works for God. It proves a tonic to the system and is actually a blessing. No one can truly appreciate the Cham of repose unless he has undergone severe exertion.

The effect of Travel, Dr. Livingstone

By Dr. Livingingstone.
The effect of travel on man whose heart is in right place in that the mind is made more self reliant: it become more confident of it own resources- there are greater presence of mind. The body is soon well knit; the muscles of the limbs grow hard as a board seems to have no fat. The countenance is bronzed and there is no dyspepsia.

From Highland, Coast to Island(Cycling Expedation)

In he morning Monday 9th Feb., 11:05am me and my friend Jacob we left Arusha town ready to explore Northern & Southern Pare mountains, Mkomazi national park, West & East Usambara mountains, Tanga city, Pangani, Saadani national park, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar and Dar-es-salaam.

We had rough arrangement two day before including fix the bicycles, get a map, here camping gear, etc.

The cycling between Arusha- Moshi road 80km it was confidently because both of us we are familiar with the road. We had several stop for birds identification as it was a time when farmers preparer the farms for planting as they disturb and cult down the weeds they disturb the amphibians and other invertebrate which are the food to birds, we stop for 1 hour in Sanya when it was rain, we reached Moshi town 5:15pm.
We continuo with our journey cycle through Moshi- Dar es Salaam road we had the closest view of white caped mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro. After 24km we reached Himo junction here we turn off right then we stopped and have a dinner from the women who sell the food during the night. After dinner we cycled for 15km in the dark by using our headlight but this isn’t safe to cycle during the night, we reach at the Kifaru village where we camp in somebody back yard.

In the next day we woke up 4:45am we made a coffee and start cycling 5:45am, 2km from where we overnight we turn left cycled towards north-east then east-south through the dirty road and Challenge Mountains. We passed through cultivated fields (Ma-Shamba) in Masiwa, Unyasa, Kwakoa and Gitingeni villages before joined the high way again at Gitengani. We cycled towards eat-south. After 25km we reached Same town ship. We had our dinner at Same then after our rice and beans dinner we cycled for 1km out of town and camp at the field.

We wakeup early in the morning after having a cup of coffee we start cycling. In this day we cycled through the mountains of Southern Pare, cultivated valleys then after 30km we reached Kisiwani. Kisiwani village is boarded with the newest Mkomazi National Park formal Mkomazi Game Reserve situated in the ....http://zionafrikasafaris.blogspot.com/

"Where there has been racial hatred, it must be ended. Where there has been tribal animosity, it will be finished. Let us not dwell upon the bitterness of the past. I would rather look to the future, to the good new Kenya, not to the bad old days. If we can create this sense of national direction and identity, we shall have gone a long way to solving our economic problems."
Jomo Kenyatta, first president of Kenya, as quoted in David Lamb's The Africans, New York, 1985.

"It Africans were left in peace on their own lands, Europeans would have to offer them the benefits of white civilization in real earnest before they could obtain the African labour which they want so much. They would have to offer the African a way of life which was really superior to the one his fathers lived before, and a share in the prosperity given them by their command of science. They would have to let the African choose what parts of European culture could be beneficially transplanted, and how they could be adapted ... The African is conditioned, by cultural and social institutions of centuries, to a freedom of which Europe has little conception, and it is not in his nature to accept serfdom for ever."
Jomo Kenyatta, first president of Kenya, from the conclusion to his book Facing Mount Kenya, 1938.

Our Banana World

Last weekend (24th Jan) I cycled all the way from Arusha to the foot hill of the Highest Peak of Africa as a part of preparation for Cycling Feasibility Study East Africa to South Africa first part. Early in morning I left Arusha 7:30am by using old Moshi-Arusha then join the currently Moshi-Arusha high way at usa river town-ship. Riding up and down passed through small towns and villages then after 3 ½ hrs, I covered 80km reached Moshi town Kilimanjaro region.

I had a lunch at Moshi town I decide to have a banana for lunch as it was cheap than Arusha then I have a rest to avoid high temperature. I Left Moshi 3:00pm head out along Dar es Salaam road bearded left after 23km as heading Taveta after 4km then I turned off left at Himo. 40km from Moshi lays Marangu.

Marangu village is where I was raised with my grand mother and went to primary school in this village. Marangu whose name drives from local Chagga ward meaning “spring water” is situated on the lower slope of Kilimanjaro National Park. Unlike lower lying Moshi, Marangu has an appropriately alpine feel surrounded as it


Is by lush vegetation and bisected by a babbling mountain streams and remains a popular springboard for Kilimanjaro ascents using the Marangu route. For those who lack the time, inclination or money to climb Kilimanjaro, Marangu is pleasant place to spend a night or few days exploring the lower slopes of the great mountain, with several attractive waterfalls situated within easy striking distance.

Since I left this village and went to secondary school then college I had had no time to visit it again. When I reached there all the people was wandering to see me on the bicycle come from all the way from Arusha where I live currently. My grand mother welcomed me with a juggle full of banana juice, it was cooled juice as it was from re refrigerator but not from the refrigerator it was from local pot known as Mtungi which also used to keep water, and make it cooled all the time. My grand mother whose now become more older then the time I was staying with her(now she is about 80 years old or so as she can’t remember exactly when she was born) she was looking on me very curious all the time as I was drinking the sweet banana juice without stop. When I stopped to drink the juice I receive hard question from her “My grand son are you crazy to cycle from Arusha to here for a single day?”

After heaving a shower I find a pleat of cooked banana waiting for me in the table as I was continue with banana dinner she send her grand son in the nearby bar (mwafrika club) for the local brew/wine, we had a long conversation around the fire as it was already become dark. We seat there for about 3 hours then said good by to each and heading to my room which covered with banana leafs for the it’s circular wall and roof. I slept well, drifting off to the hoot of owls, and the cackling off bush baby and hyenas.

The next day I was worked up by the call of grand mother for the break fast. The breakfast was a black coffee which she made herself from her backyard where there is a lot of banana and coffee trees, the coffee tea was accompanied with roosted long banana which they called (Mkono wa tembo) elephant proboscis. After breakfast I packed my day pack ready for the walk and bird watch around the village my grand mother gave me 20 pieces of sweet banana as a snack. I walk through the village greeting some people who seemed to forget me. I visit the caves which I was used to play in during my boyhood but now it reserved as attraction for visitors near to the caves there is smith work shop where my grand mother used to send me to repair or buy new machete, hoe or knife. My way back I passed at the local market which usually to take place twice a week here I found I lot of interesting things but mostly was this wide variety of bananas, this is what I called banana wonders. Ranging form sweet bananas, green bananas, big bananas, little bananas, cooking bananas, red bananas, fat bananas, skinny bananas, fresh bananas, fried bananas, roasted bananas, boiled bananas so many kinds of bananas grow here. I interred in the mwaFrika club (a local bar) to have a juggle of local brew made from bananas which sold for200/= Tshs perhaps 1/2. There I join some other people in the conversations and share our brew as it is a custom. I bought banana-leaf cap as my support for the banana leave product artists.

I reached grand mother home and have banana porridge before I had the tradition dish which is beans, coco yam and banana pounded together. The next day I left the village cycled back to Arusha. As I was cycling back to Arusha I was still wondering about this trip and how it become very exiting, I told myself; In order something to be value it should be lost first.

African Unity

“I shall continuo to insist our sovereign countries work to achieve the United States of Africa”
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, from a translating of his inaugural speech as Chair of the African Union 2 Feb 2009

To be a stranger in my home

Early in the morning, I left Arusha town. Heading toward the west of town the western of the town through the main road to the popular visited Tanzania’s attractions such as the eighth wonder of the world Ngorongoro Crater, the endless plain and a magnificent annual animal migration , Serengeti National Park and beautiful parts of the Rift Valley to mention only a few examples of Tanzania’s natural splendour..

After twenty kilometers of pedaling with little traffic highway, I turned left heading towards the south and. On this dusty and rough road I welcomed the solitude of the area as my mind was too occupied with what my eyes were seeing the beautiful savannah plains dotted with several hills and scattered maasai bomas (maasai huts, built with the combinations of mud and cow dung and grasses in the top, usually built in a circular form). After almost twenty minutes of cycling, I found myself relaxing while the slow wind blew from east to west and cooled my body and the hectic urban melee was now replaced by the beautiful songs of the birds.

About ten kilometers from the main road I met three Maasai men in the flooded valley as they were having a shower and washing their shuka (the piece of cloth like a bed cover usually red color for man, blue for women and black for certain age group)

I sat down with them and we talked and exchanged life experiences and they explained to me how they dwell in this dry savannah plains with their herds of cows, goats and sheep and donkeys which are usually used by their women to help them carry water and other domestic tasks. The moment I had with these men gave me a chance to learn and experience different things which I had never thought about before. It becomes clear in my mind that these people are very strong, deep individuals unique and very adaptable yet they still can appreciate their unique of life and after 30 minutes of conversation, I then left them.

I then continued cycling after 5 km turned off left following the location of certain village which appeared in my old map by the name Leviseki it should be remembered that the maasai are nomadic pastoralists but nowadays due to conflict with the farming community groups and some government policy the Maasai have tried to establish permanent villages. Since my map was about 10 years old it indicated that Levisike village was alongside the road on which I was on. This was contrary to the fact and as I was cycling there from the rough road I then turned off left to the less used road. After a few 3 km from where I turned off, I found Leviseki primary school with a few boma (huts)and I continued cycling towards the north-east and there climbed the hills until I found the shade somewhere under an acacia tree. It was now 1:00pm. since I was exhausted and hungry I enjoyed my bananas then I drank enough water to regain my energy back.

After the siesta, I experienced a sense of loneliness because since I left the men at the valley I hadn’t met anyone else. I got on my bicycle and continued to cycle but as I went further the road seemed to disappear I then discovered some motorcycle tires tracks that I followed and this then led me to some maasai boma (huts), roughly not more than 10 in all. People were standing outside of their huts and they were looking at very curiously. The tires tracks got lost in the grasses so I remained without any sense of direction.  I went back to the nearby huts and as I approached the children ran and shut themselves inside of their huts. I found a woman washing the milk pots. and called to her in Maasai language Yeyo? (Mother?) She replied to me Owe! (Yes!), I said to her again Takwenya? (How are you?) Iko (I’m fine) women replied so I continued to ask her if there is a way back to town. Now the Ki- Swahili language is the language that connects more than 120+ ethnic groups and was declared the official language after independence under President Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere. The language is now spreading to Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and some parts of DRC, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique and Ki-Swahili usage to have the opportunity of becoming the connection of East Africa Community in the future.

She wondered where I had come from and said that I should go back to town and then she proposed I should go back the way I came. I told her I don’t want to go back that way but I wanted to find the way back to town. She left the huts and told me to wait and after a few minutes, she came back with a boy approximately 15-17yrs old. She then informed me that the boy would show me the way back. I said to here ashanaleyi (thank you very much) so we left with the boy then after 10minutes of walking I tried to ask the boy how far the road was andto my surprise, the boy answered me in the Maasai language.


 I then found out the boy did not speak any Ki-Swahili at all... It was during this short walk that the boy explained to me what I could not understand while he pointed to a certain route which soon discovered was commonly used by animals and it was here that the boy turned back. I got on my bicycle cycling for a short time before the way disappeared in the grasses again. I start walking just checking to see if I can find it again and after 1hr of walking without success I decide to sit under a Balanait tree to refresh myself and lose the panic of being lost and as I sat there for some time.


I soon realized I was on the beaten track whereby even the application of lonely planet could not work even in this situation. Now as I was half awake I heard the voices of the people talking I then woke up and observed the scene around me but I didn’t see anyone so I decided to follow the sounds.  I was hearing but as I was approaching there it stopped so I couldn’t hear the sounds anymore. I kept on searching in the bushes then I saw a woman with the baby on her back and the bundle of firewood on her head walking. I walked towards her she accelerated her speed.  I just decided to get on my bicycle and cycle towards her.  I was amazed to see the woman threw away her bundle of firewood and ran away from me screaming. I reached the place where she had thrown away her bundle of firewood I stopped and watched her still running. She ran until somewhere away from me then she stopped. After a short while, three other women came from bushes and joined her.

I wondered to myself is it really me?  Do I look that unfamiliar? The women stopped there for the while discussing something. I started to think if I cannot find the way back to town then I would have to overnight somewhere in the area.

I walked up to the boma (huts) it was about 10-15 huts as I was approaching the Manyata (is a maasai village or the group of huts) I saw two men walking on the path.  I got on my bicycle cycling towards them. I greeted them asked them if I could get back to town on the main road. They said yes but it will take me about 45min of cycling and the name of this village is Moita Kiloriti I also passed another village Moita Kipoko before reaching the high way.

I reached town around 6:15 pm. This experience made me wonder how deep into personal reality one can go?  Relatively few kilometers from the place of many people where I feel familiar I was stranger and lost. I have been always keen to balance external would, perceptions and experience. Tanzania and Africa for me it is home to this diversity. This diversity can be a challenge to leave with but with little effort the reward is great benefty of ability to hold many perceptions at the same time. This can be useful especial when one need to develop personal perceptions. It was a little adventure but turn to be a key to a great understanding. Explore this amazing world.