Goats (mbuzi) are a fixture in Kenya. As we walk along the road in front of our apartment, goats are bleating on our right and on our left. Big goats, little goats, black goats, white goats. We walked to the beach the other day and passed a line of six goats returning from the beach, as if they’d had enough fun in the sun for the day. We actually had to step out of their way since it was clear that they were not going to yield the path.
We drive through Ukunda, and goats walk alongside people, as if they too are running errands. In smaller towns, it is not unusual for the matatus to have to swerve around goats taking their afternoon sun in the middle of the road. Even in Mombasa, the 2nd largest city in Kenya, and very urban, goats still wander.
The idea of free-roaming livestock is foreign to Americans. American animals are neatly penned, and though I’m not a farmer, I would guess that the farmer knows the location of his animals the majority of time. Here, there is apparent chaos, as animals cross roads and generally mingle with the people, cows, and chickens. I asked our host how people know whose goats are whose. He said that the goats actually know how to get home. He then told us a story of an industrious group of goats that used to wait in line for the ferry into Mombasa in the morning, spend the day in town, and then catch the evening ferry home. Yes, commuter goats.
Goat is one of the more important sources of meat in Kenya, along with beef (ng’ombe) and chicken (kuku). It’s most popular form is nyama choma, which is grilled meat with various spices. Spending a lazy Sunday afternoon with a large pile of nyama choma is something of a ritual in many parts of Kenya, and Mungai is very excited to treat us soon.
From what we’ve seen, the male children appear to be responsible for herding the goats, as a small boy and his goats pass by our apartment once or twice per day. It’s sort of the Kenyan equivalent of the American dog, except that it’s the Kenyan child’s food source and one of his family’s measures of wealth.
Greetings on Labor Day!
ReplyDeleteI truly look forward to reading these posts, and I always carry away a nugget; in this case, it was "commuter goats". :)
I realize that it cannot all seem like a huge adventure, because reality sets in sometimes. Are you finding yourself re-ordering priorities from the U.S. listing? Making a bucket list of what you wished you'd brought? I am continually fascinated, and I also love reading about Nancy's adventures. Our travels through Europe with E and A were very different and decidedly comfortable compared to all this. Well, except for a few nights in France where Vincent van Gogh would have refused to cut off his ear!
I'm curious. Have you found anything that you've eaten that truly surprised you? How about the bugs, E? Are you weathering them better than at home? I miss you guys, but the call today was a wonderful treat.
Your package will be sent tomorrow and it all fit into a small box. It will be interesting to see how long it takes and what shape it's in upon arrival.
Love you guys!
Mom/L