Page 105 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 9

AFRIKA IS GOD'S

ovements of persons just good to be a nomad or in my
over vast spaces case, a pilgrim and no law says you
has been with man- should not. So why not?
Mkind from the very
beginning of time. It's not a new Ruaka town
concept or discovery when people Moving with my family from the
in this modern age call themselves coastal county of Mombasa where
nomads, backpackers, travelers, or we had stayed for about a year, to
whatever names fit the lifestyles of Ruaka in Kiambu county, was one
those who find joy in moving from of those movements you make
one place to the other, even though not because you just love being a picturesque for me. And not to talk
others try to undermine such things nomad, but because you know that about the many animals you hear
as irresponsible. In my view, such the divine hands steering you as a around you every time of the day.
undermining is nothing but the defi- pilgrim on a journey of light clearly For like I had called Ruaka a "glo-
nition from those who love the box moved you there. Moving to Ruaka rified village", one of my reasons is
that the world system created and is also like one of those movements the many cows, goats, donkeys and
anyone who tries to get out of that you make while watching out for chickens you see around. Mean-
box is labeled irresponsible. For whether it's going to be interesting ing that milk, meat and vegetables
me, it's a beautiful thing to be able or not. were much cheaper and much
to move around over vast spaces, Ruaka town, tucked in the borders more organic and non-GMO than
whenever it's possible to do so. of Kiambu county and Nairobi you would get in maybe Nairobi
county, is one town you will easily shops. And did I mention that you
I personally love traveling long call a "glorified village" in many can also get these farm produce in
distances and also I am passionate ways. Well, that's my opinion small measures, which can really be
about moving around like a nomad. though and I will try and give a few very helpful when your wallet is not
But in my case, I prefer the word reasons why i said so. saying too much. So living in Ruaka
pilgrim to the word nomad. No- is such a good connection to natural
mads, as used traditionally, move When we first moved in to Ruaka vegetations, vegetables and fresh
around for the sake of finding from Mombasa, one of the first fruits.
pasture for their animals, but for things that drew my attention was I can't speak about Ruaka quite
the modern day nomad, it's about the cool, fresh and green environ- accurately if I do not talk about
the fun of traveling and seeing new ment with lots of fresh smelling the people living in that commu-
places, but pilgrims move because breeze that could easily get you very nity. I believe Ruaka is a Kikuyu
such movements are part of their cold in a moment, especially when community, so you hear more of
spiritual journey towards light and you are still trying to re-engineer the people speaking Kikuyu than
emancipation. In this article, I may your body from the more hot and Swahili the national language. So
not give you many reasons why humid Mombasa climate. So it was imagine me going to the shops to
I love the lifestyle of a pilgrim, a very good sign for me on the first buy something without my wife who
even though I have many, but as day that I was going to enjoy Ruaka at least understands a bit of Kikuyu.
a photographer, writer, publisher, town. I somehow love cold weather I remember a day when I went
song artiste, creative designer and more than heat. to get some milled Sorghum and
everything else that comes with Millet from one of the local sellers
being blessed with many creative The apartment we rented was on close to the house. I asked her
talents, it just fits the purpose that, the fifth floor of the building, facing about the items in English and she
to fully write and capture accurately the sunrise. And as a photographer, clearly told me in English that she
the lifestyle of a people or a locality, nothing makes me more happy doesn't have them. But looking at
it's best to live and experience them than seeing and capturing the beau- her table, I saw buckets of the very
right in the place where they have tiful early morning life giver called grounded Sorghum and Millet that
their life day to day. And besides, sun. So sunrise for me was always I had asked for. So I showed her
why stick yourself in just one creative and blessed from the height the local name of the items in the
location for a long part of your life of our apartment which towers over paper my wife had written for me
when you can actually move around almost all the surrounding building. and she instantly said she has them.
and enjoy all that life can give and The wind and cold from that height I was not really surprised but quite
show you in the other places? It's was also very beautiful and quite

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