Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

It's been nice and, let me say, encouraging to have had your company for most of this year (as I started this blog in May). It's been a pleasure to have been writing my blog posts for your eyes only: I have loved it every bit of the way.

Why am I writing all this? Is it that I am throwing in the towel on blogging and indirectly bidding you goodbye?
No, never! Once you have been bitten by the blog bug it becomes pretty difficult to wean yourself off blogging. It is one of the best addictions I have seen around for a long time (at least better than drug addiction, what do you reckon?).

The reason for writing this: I'll be travelling upcountry to visit family during this festive season. For this reason, I'll not be able to blog for a week or so.
"Why?" you ask.
The 'upcountry' where I am travelling to is not well served with Internet facilities. Internet 'access points' are few and far between. Anyway, I'll miss you all.

Feel free to visit my other blogs (links below):

On Drifting, Wavy Words

Career and Workplace

Fgm: Down With It!

Finally, I wish you a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. Till we meet again: Take care and God bless you!

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 4)

This is yet another post that endeavours to look at the differences between the peoples of these two East African countries. My aim here is neither to create acrimony between Kenyans and Tanzanians nor to make people of one country feel inferior to people of the other country. That has never been my aim. Neither will it ever be the aim of these series of posts in particular nor this blog in general. We are different, there's no doubt about that. Nevertheless, we ought to accept each other, our differences notwithstanding, and work towards a common goal.

Signal to driver or Kiss?

If you have ever been to Dar es Salaam, then you have ever seen and heard what I'll mention here shortly.
Daladala (or Matatus/Mathrees as they are popularly known in Nairobi) touts mostly use their mouths to signal to the driver to stop and/or to start moving the vehicle. You don't get the drift, I know.
These Kondas (touts) twist their mouths (almost pouting the lips) and try to suck in air between their lips to produce the sound that tells the driver what to do! If you were not looking at the conductor, then you would think that he is kissing a woman – 'serving' a kiss with the lips of both parties tightly pressed together (for that is how it sounds like!).

Some Europeans were travelling to Posta (where most of the important offices are located in Dar es Salaam) some years ago. Out of the blues, they heard a strident sound reminiscent of some bedroom sounds that they were used to hearing. All of them turned almost instantly and in unison. They faced the Daladala's doorway from whence the 'sound' was coming. They saw the conductor, a lanky man, theatrically producing the sounds (effortlessly, it seemed to them) signalling the driver to pull into the lay-by for there was a passenger alighting. (A lay-by is the space next to a road where vehicles can park out of the way of traffic). These Europeans had little else to do but to shake their heads in wonder and grin like a Cheshire cat.

In Nairobi, touts and conductors whistle, "bang" the vehicles or talk loudly (shout is the word to use here) to signal the driver to stop to pick a passenger (or to allow a passenger to alight) or even to start moving the vehicle. None of the sounds they produce sound anything close to a kiss!

Are You a Tanzanian or a Kenyan?

In Kenya, the citizens are issued with National Identity Cards (mandatory for those Kenyans who are 18 years old and above). It also goes without saying that one has to carry it around, especially if one anticipates to be out late at night. It saves face when one meets with those guys who are eager to arrest guys 'on sight'. When they ask: "Wapi Gibande yago?"(Where is your identity card?) You flash the small card that says you are a Kenyan and they let you walk away.

In Tanzania, there are no national identity cards (but the government is planning to start issuing its citizens with the cards in the near future. At least that is what Tanzanians have been promised by the Fourth Phase Government).
Some of the Tanzanians I asked how they would tell a Kenyan from a group of people said they would listen to the people speaking and voila! they would pinpoint the Kenyan to me. This interested me and I asked one of them to tell me how he would do it. "I would listen to the people talking. I know a Kenyan's Kiswahili and English. It would not be hard to get 'your guy'."
Incidentally, even the Tanzanian immigration department has perfected the art of listening to the Kiswahili (Or English) of a person and instantly state whether that person is a Tanzanian or a foreigner. Another method these immigration guys use is to ask you where you come from. If they have doubts with what you state to them (especially if you tell them that you are a Tanzanian and they smell a rat), they ask your district of birth, village and even the name of your chief. By then, if you are not a Tanzanian, you will be squirming in your shoes.

Read the previous posts on the differences between Kenyans and Tanzanians by clicking on these links:
Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 1).

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 2).

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 3).

Africans, Let Not Your Greed For Money Make You a Victim of Such a Scam

I found this e-mail in my inbox. Most people have fallen for such internet scams. Please, don't be one of them. Think twice before you engage in any internet business or transaction: You just might be hoodwinked.

Dear Beloved,

Due to the sudden death of my husband General Abacha the former head of
state of Nigeria in June 1998, I have been thrown into a state of
hopelessness by the present administration.I have lost confidence with
anybody within my country. I got your contacts through personal
research,
and had to reach you through this medium. I will give you more details
when
you reply. Due to security network placed on my daily affairs I cant
visit
the embassy so that is why I have contacted you.

My husband deposited $12.6million dollars with a security firm abroad
whose
name is witheld for now till we communicate. I will be happy if you can
receive this funds and keep it safe I assure you 20% of this fund. I
will
need your telephone/mobile numbers so that we can commence
communication.

Sincerely Yours.
Hajia Mariam.

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (Talk Back)

Today I received some very interesting comments/observations about what I have been writing here in the recent past (the differences between Kenyans and Tanzanians). Here I share with you the same in its entirety. These are the comments by one Isibingo. Read through and see what you think.

Isibingo says:
"In Kenya, we take Eight years in Primary school, Fouryears in Secondary school and Four years in University (i.e. for most of the degrees courses).
In Tanzania, they take Seven years in Primary school, Four years in Secondary school, Two years in High school (Forms 5 and 6) and Three years in University (i.e. for most of the degree courses)."

ANSWER:
FYI 8+4+4 = 16 years and 7+4+2+3 = 16 years , now whats the defference?


You said "In Kenya, things are different. Wedding contributions are not as hyped up. In most cases, the families of the bride and groom do the contributions amongst themselves. Occasionally, input from outsiders is sought." why do not ask yuorself about expensive and for-show LUO and GIKUYU weddings, are they hyped up?

"You may hear this:Mwanangu, hiyo suti imekupendezesha k_m_ ya mama yako! ("Mwanangu" here has not been used by a parent to his/her son but by a friend to a friend).
To a Kenyan, this would sound like an earth-shattering insult but to a Tanzanian, this is an earth-shattering compliment! . Come to think of it."

ANSWER:
kuma###### word depends on hoew it is bring used,FYI ,it can be used as insult OR compliment in tanzania.

you said "Still on education, pupils and students in Public (and Private) schools in Kenya stay in school from morning to afternoon (after 3pm). Thus, it is rare to see students and pupils roaming the streets when classes are on."

ANSwer:
IF The issue of GOING TO SCHOOL in shift in TZ WILL may cause students/pupils to roam in the streets when classes are on THEN this is also in KENYA. (back in 2002 Kibaki did it as education policy).

You said "Most Tanzanians use water in the toilet (to do the work of a toilet paper!). You see them going to the toilet with small containers (kopo, as they are called in Tanzania) filled with water."

ANSWER: MAJI NA KARATASI IPI BORA, wakati KIBERA SLUMS with 1.5 million people{more than half of NAIROBI}wanatumie maji kutawaza.


you said "In Kenya, when you are cooking sukumawiki (kales) and meat, you mix everything in one sufuria.
Things are done differently in Tanzania. Sukumawiki and meat stews are cooked in different pots. "

ANSWER: this is because Tanzanians can afford good food/meals. mixing everything in one sufuria is sign of extreme poverty, especially when 1.5 millions of them lived in NAIROBI(Kibera),the second largest slums in africa.

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 3)

As we continue to look at the differences between Kenyans and Tanzanians, today we look at still some more of these disparities.

Water or Toilet Paper?

Most Tanzanians use water in the toilet (to do the work of a toilet paper!). You see them going to the toilet with small containers (kopo, as they are called in Tanzania) filled with water.

Kenyans use different materials as "wipers" in the toilet. Some use toilet paper while others use old newspapers, pages of exercise books and a motley of other materials as long as they can wipe.
This reminds me of something we used to do when we (my friends and I) were young. We used to keep the "Jogoo" and "Jimbi" maize meal papers. Anyone who has ever seen these maize meal papers knows how hard they are.
Before going to the toilet, we would energetically "rub" the paper between our hands to remove the "hardness" so that our a**** (!) would not be hurt in the process of "wiping". That's how crude some of us were (and are).

A Kenyan friend of mine visited a Tanzanian family sometime last year. When he came back to Kenya, he shared his experiences with me. He shared one experience with me more than once. He told me: "There was no toilet paper in the family toilet. Instead, there was a big bucket filled with water and a 'mug' inside the bucket. This is what those people used to use instead of toilet paper. I could not bring myself to using that (mind you, I feared to ask). So, I bought my own TP (toilet paper) and 'hid' it in my bag. Once, a big piece of TP fell on the toilet floor without my knowledge. Imagine the hullabaloo when the housemaid found the wet piece as she was cleaning the toilet!"

Education

In Kenya, we take Eight years in Primary school, Fouryears in Secondary school and Four years in University (i.e. for most of the degrees courses).
In Tanzania, they take Seven years in Primary school, Four years in Secondary school, Two years in High school (Forms 5 and 6) and Three years in University (i.e. for most of the degree courses).

Still on education, pupils and students in Public (and Private) schools in Kenya stay in school from morning to afternoon (after 3pm). Thus, it is rare to see students and pupils roaming the streets when classes are on.

This is quite different from what happens in Tanzania. It is a common sight to see students and pupils roaming the streets when classes are on. Why? Pupils and students go to school in shifts. This means that some go to school in the morning while others go to school in the afternoon (or "mchana" as they call it in Tanzania): When the 'afternoon students' come to school, the 'morning students' leave for home.

====================================================
This is the end of the third part in a series that endeavours to look at the differences between Kenyans and Tanzanians.
Have your shout out. Send your views and observations on this issue to undaunted_2006 at yahoo dot com and I'll post your observations here.
====================================================

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 2)

This is the second part of a series of posts focusing on the differences between Kenyans and Tanzanians. In the last post, I wrote on how Tanzanians and Kenyans differ in matters of Courtesy and Food sense.
Today, we look at even more differences.

The Kiswahili F*** word
In Kenya, if someone directs the Kiswahili f*** word at you, he is exceedingly annoyed with you. Thus to mollify his anger, he uses the f*** word to show you the extent of his anger. (A person who uses such a phrase is thought (by the majority of Kenyans) to have "porous" morals)!

I know you are asking yourself what word I am talking about here. You'll have to forgive me because my conscience is threatening to haunt me if I write the phrase in black and white.
Why? This is simply because I am a purebred Kenyan.

The phrase is: K_m_(a woman's private part) ya mama yako. (My fingers are shaking as I type these words on the keyboard of my computer). You catch the drift!

In Tanzania, the aforementioned phrase is used, in street talk, to emphasize a certain point. It is, basically, used (by some Tanzanians) to drive a point home and also as an exclamation! (I do not refute the fact that, in some instances, it is used as an insult!)
You may hear this:Mwanangu, hiyo suti imekupendezesha k_m_ ya mama yako! ("Mwanangu" here has not been used by a parent to his/her son but by a friend to a friend).
To a Kenyan, this would sound like an earth-shattering insult but to a Tanzanian, this is an earth-shattering compliment! . Come to think of it.

Wedding Contributions and Wedding Ceremonies
Wedding contributions in Tanzania are taken very seriously. Infact, one would rather contribute for a wedding than for someone's school fees. "Kadi za harusi" and "vikao vya harusi" are the key words associated with weddings in Tanzania.
In Kenya, things are different. Wedding contributions are not as hyped up. In most cases, the families of the bride and groom do the contributions amongst themselves. Occasionally, input from outsiders is sought.
In Tanzania, wedding ceremonies are strictly for those who contributed for the wedding! A wedding invitation card is the "Identity Card" that shows that you contributed and are therefore "eligible" to taste the wedding cake. No gatecrashers are allowed whatsoever.
In Kenya, most wedding ceremonies (except private weddings) are for virtually anyone and everyone. Even passers-by can 'pop in', take a bite, sip a drink and take their leave without anyone raising as much as an eyebrow.
When I was a young boy, my friends and I used to keep " a diary" of wedding ceremonies to attend. On days when two or more weddings appeared in our "diaries", we would arrange who would attend which wedding ceremony. Our main aim of attending these ceremonies would not be to see the bride and groom exchanging wedding vows but to partake in the 'wali', 'mchuzi' and 'soda' that would be served at the wedding reception. We would do this without the slightest tug and pull of guilt at our conscience. Talk of living in two, totally different, worlds!

This is the end of the second part of this continuing series of posts. Keep it here for more.

Are there any other differences you have noticed? Send an e-mail to (undaunted_2006 at yahoo dot com) and I'll post your observations here.
**I have written my email address this way to prevent it from being picked by Spam robots that are roving the Internet looking for e-mail addresses to send Spam to.

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 1)

There are some behaviours, reactions and ways of life that are uniquely Tanzanian and Kenyan respectively. In this post (and subsequent ones), I endeavour to look at how these two East African peoples are different.

COURTESY:
Ask any Tanzanian and you'll be told one thing about Kenyans: "Kenyans are very rude, arrogant and not courteous."
"Why?" you may ask. It is said that Kenyans use rude, commanding language when they are asking for something (and they mean to be polite!).
Picture this:
A.
In a restaurant in Nairobi, a Kenyan is asking to be served a cup of tea.
Kenyan: Hello, we leta chai ninachelewa. Harakisha basi!
In a restaurant in Dar es Salaam, a Tanzanian is asking to be served a cup of tea.
Tanzanian: Habari za saa hizi. Naomba kikombe cha chai ya rangi.
B.
In a mathree (matatu) in Nairobi, a conductor is asking for fare from the passengers.
Conductor: Leta pesa yako na ufanye fasta (bring the fare and be fast at that). Fare ni mbao (twenty shillings) sitaki mtu ambaye anajifanya hajui fare ni chapa ngapi!
In a Daladala in Dar es Salaam, a conductor is asking for fare from the passengers.
Conductor: Naomba nauli yako. Nauli ni mia mbili hamsini (approximately Ksh 14).

In Tanzania, it is an unstated 'law' that you have to greet each and every person you come across as you go about your business. Greetings for people who are older than you start with "Shikamoo". For example, " Shikamoo Mzee Juma."
In Kenya, things are virtually different. It is "not a must" for one to greet everyone they meet on the way. You greet only those who are your acquaintances and are familiar to you. There are no specific greetings for people who are older than you. There are two widely used greetings in Kenya (and to people of all ages and sizes). These are:
i). (If one says "Sasa" you say "Fit"). This is akin to the "Mambo" "Poa" that Tanzanians use.
ii). Habari gani? (This is akin to the Habari za saa hizi? or Za saa hizi? that Tanzanians use.

For those Kenyans who are planning to visit Tanzania, please learn the art of greeting people often and to those older than you say "Shikamoo."
For those Tanzanians who are planning to visit Kenya, please don't get angry when someone walks past you without exchanging 'pleasantries'. That is our way of life here.

I had a rough time once (when I was visiting Tanzania) due to not greeting some old men who were seated somewhere as I passed. Incidentally, I didn't know the exact location of where I was going (somewhere at Kunduchi) so I had to go back the way I had come and at least ask someone to direct me. I remembered that I had seen some old men somewhere along the way. When I got to where they were seated I greeted them (with a humble Shikamoo!) and asked them for the direction of where I was going. They exchanged glances, scowled their faces and continued talking. I stood there awkwardly waiting for God-knows-what. One of them cleared his throat and told me:" You passed here without even greeting us and now because you have a 'problem' you have come to us. What do you expect us to do? Do you want us to associate with a rude fellow like you? I don't think you are a Tanzanian. Next time greet people whether you need their help or not. African culture dictates this!" And with that he directed me to where I was going (he literally took my hand and led me to where I was going). Before leaving, I 'served' them with my profuse apologies.

Do you have more you can share with us on Courtesy?Send Your Email Here(undaunted_2006 at yahoo dot com) and I'll post your observations.

FOOD:
In Kenya, when you are cooking sukumawiki (kales) and meat, you mix everything in one sufuria.
Things are done differently in Tanzania. Sukumawiki and meat stews are cooked in different pots. During mealtime in Tanzania, there are more bowls on the dining table than on an average Kenyan's table. These bowls may contain i) Maharage (beans)* (Kenyans call it Maharagwe).
ii) Mchicha *(Kikuyus call it Terere).
iii) Dagaa *(Kenyans call it Omena).
and
iv) Meat stew

My take is that Tanzanians are more nutrition conscious than Kenyans. Another thing, They use coconut "milk" in most of their food preparation and the food that is cooked with this "additive" is wonderful to the taste, take my word for it!

I know of a Kenyan couple who crossed the border into Tanzania with the sheer intention of looking for a maid from Tanzania. When I asked them of their reasons for going to such lengths and incurring all that cost, they looked me straight in the face and said: "We went to Bagamoyo (in Tanzania) for our honeymoon. We loved the food we were served. It was a whole new experience. We need this Tanzanian touch in our very home in Nairobi thus the need for a Tanzanian house maid."

This is the first part in a series of posts looking at the differences between Tanzanians and Kenyans.
Do you have more you can share with us on Food (or any other difference you have noticed)? Send me an Email and I'll post your observations here.