The Colors of Kenya



Yesterday was Easter, and though I'm alone (Leigh is still on Mt. Kenya) I managed to have a good weekend anyway.  I pulled together the meager ingredients needed to make oatmeal cookies, and boiled a few eggs to dye.  The local children came by and I broke down and gave them some candy and cookies and colored an Easter Bunny for them. 


 

In the spirit of new beginnings and life, I am reminded to be grateful for the bugs-- for without them there would be no organic produce.  In spite of the mud produced by the nocturnal downpours, I made my way to the market as I do every Saturday where I can buy a bounty of fresh produce: mangos, papayas, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peas, beans, cilantro, avocados, etc.  I often come home with several kilos of fresh flavorful produce and spend less than US$10.  I will miss that colorful shopping experience when I get home to our sterile American supermarkets.

Sunday  morning I went down to the church which was decorated in festive Kenyan fashion.  The Mass was a multi-sensory experience, with incense wafting through the air, and the lovely Swahili choir, but my favorite was a couple of teenage dancers.  When Kenyans worship, everyone claps and sways and gets into the experience physically; there was even some primal ululation thrown in, between the Amina's and Alleluia's. 


The entire Mass was in Swahili, except for some of the announcements at the end, including a report of the monthly parish tithes in Kenyan shillings, donations of harvested produce--and even a goat!


One of the things that I love about Africa is how colorful everything is.  People, especially women, dress in vibrant colors, as if to offset the clay covered landscape.  I've purchased a few items of clothing that I might feel out of place wearing when I get home, but for now, it's fun to strut about like a peacock. The crafts are made of colorful textiles, or carved ebony or teak wood, or beaded jewelry made by the Maasai people. My suitcase, now empty of medical supplies will be full of gifts and crafts when I return.








Comments

  1. Helen the road warriorApril 11, 2023 at 6:35 AM

    I enjoyed the church dancing. Post something longer with dancing on FB!

    ReplyDelete
  2. xApril 11, 2023 at 4:54 PM

    I hope you are eating my share of papaya.

    ReplyDelete

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