Tales from my village : First Kenyan vacation from Bahrain

Have been in Bahrain for 5 years, it’s time for me to hit the village and visit my people.

I have a smooth flight and finally I have landed at the JKA, the breath of fresh air is amazing and the greeting " Karibu kenya" (welcome to kenya) it’s like I have been gone for ages; I check out, get my luggage and walk out just to find my whole village waiting. Naishipae (my childhood friend) is here with a gourd of sour milk, a sip of it refreshes me and I want more, this has to wait until I get to the Manyatta (homestead). My mother is here with all the smiles she has really grown and her face is shining, not sure what she applied on her face, smells more of cooking oil but will have to check with her when I settle in.

ohh my Dad is here too with his flying Wisk and walking stick; I walk to him , I bow my head and as He place his hand on my head.
Dad:Supaay?
Me: Mamwei nanu ara supat.
Yes those are the Maasai greeting (father to daughter). am officially welcomed back home...time to get that drive to the manyatta !!!

Getting to the Manayatta, the party has just began, my childhood boyfriend Ledama, who is now married with 4 children was among those who were at home slaughtering the bull. For records a Masai homecoming is nothing without slaughtering and roasting the meat on open fire... Ledama is also leading in the jubilant music. Naishipae, yes the one who brought me the gourd of sour milk at the airport, is still talking about the tour to Nairobi (that's a story for another time) . let me continue with the meat and supu in this metalic cup .

It has been a long day at the Manyatta, catching up with everyone, unpacking and giving out all the gifts that I brought from Bahrain. Giving gifts is not just a family affair , it's a whole community affair, this are the people who came together and decided that since I completed Secondary Education and did a secretarial - typing course in Ngong Town, I can read & write English , I should accept the Agents offer to go to the land of the oil (middle east) and get a high class job so that the community can be recognized, and they actually held a Harambee for the agents fee, so I really owe them gifts.

I also spend the afternoon removing the fake nails now that I have showed them off to the whole village and I can go back to milking the cows. you know my favorite cow ever since we named her Nangumenyi, this cow has lots of milk but her problem is she can't graze on one part, she is always everywhere in the field and keeps you on toes. you guys let me get down into milking , catch up with the story later !