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Compiled by
Ann Thuo, Cheruto Rono, Natalie Sifuma
Edited by
Wambui Mathenge
Ann Thuo, Cheruto Rono, Natalie Sifuma
Edited by
Wambui Mathenge
Safari Series 2023 © is a registered copyright of Paukwa House Limited.
It is a bright sunny day and Rehema is reading her social studies book as her mother grates coconut flesh from the shell using a tool called mbuzi.
“Mum, it says here that Mombasa was founded by a woman, did you know that?” Rehema asks her mother.
“Oh really? Tell me more”, her mother says, focusing on the coconut she is grating.
“Her name was Mwana Mkisi, and she was the mother of the 12 Swahili tribes in Mombasa,” Rehema responds.
“It also says that together with her descendant Sheikh Mvita Mkisi, they shaped the culture and identity of Mombasa,” Rehema continues.
“Yes, I remember this. She founded Kongowea where our market is,” her mother adds, putting aside the now empty coconut shell.
“Mum, it says here that Mombasa was founded by a woman, did you know that?” Rehema asks her mother.
“Oh really? Tell me more”, her mother says, focusing on the coconut she is grating.
“Her name was Mwana Mkisi, and she was the mother of the 12 Swahili tribes in Mombasa,” Rehema responds.
“It also says that together with her descendant Sheikh Mvita Mkisi, they shaped the culture and identity of Mombasa,” Rehema continues.
“Yes, I remember this. She founded Kongowea where our market is,” her mother adds, putting aside the now empty coconut shell.
“Rehema, don’t mess with those dried coconut tree branches, we need them to thatch the houses,” mother warns.
“Muuummmm they are called makuti, they are what gives our coast its aesthetic look,” she says with flamboyance.
Rehema stands up to show her mother a picture in her book depicting four large tusks making an archway on the road in Mombasa town.
“Mum, are these tusks from an elephant?” Rehema asks.
Her mother laughs before responding.
“No Rehema, elephant tusks are not that big. Those are artificial tusks built to add to Mombasa's beauty,” her mother responds.
“Muuummmm they are called makuti, they are what gives our coast its aesthetic look,” she says with flamboyance.
Rehema stands up to show her mother a picture in her book depicting four large tusks making an archway on the road in Mombasa town.
“Mum, are these tusks from an elephant?” Rehema asks.
Her mother laughs before responding.
“No Rehema, elephant tusks are not that big. Those are artificial tusks built to add to Mombasa's beauty,” her mother responds.