Locations - the coast - Majengo

Majengo is a Giriama-village with the typical Swahili houses rather than the normal rounded huts. If you get to know the ever friendly coastal communities just ask us to show you the village.

After a walk through the bush, which can be tiresome on a hot day, or a short taxi ride from the hotels one finds himself in a typical Kenyan environment. The building material is mostly mud and sometimes bricks from old coral reefs. Family houses are usually found clustered together and it seems the closer the houses are the closer the relation.

As you prepare for the visit be sure to think about the many kids you will meet on your way to the village. The kids love sweets and when you bring a few sweets or even school utensils like pencils and paper with you, your presence in the village will spread like a bush fire and young boys and girls from around will come hoping for a little gift. Note books for school, pens and pencils for the kids are very good presents to bring with you for them. If you have kids whose clothes have become too small you can bring even these with you and experience filial happyness and gratitude.

The village shows a cross section of the different people living here. You meet Muslims and Christians living together, at times in the same family. There are of course the businessmen, farmers or the priest and the medicine men of whom one can get physical and psychological treatment. When one wants to protect himself against evil spirits or witchcraft the medicine men have the answers. These are supposed to be powerful people with influence as far as Zanzibar.

In the village even food can be prepared for you, so find out about ugali, pilau, pweza and mnazi which are some traditional meals. Be sure not to miss the party when a wedding is taking place in the village.

Interesting are the bars and restaurants you will find from the hotels up to the village, you can meet people there, especially the native who will not be seen in the tourists' bars as the prices there are too high. Just visit Mzee Mbela in his 'Kings and Queens' bar or enjoy in the 'Porini Bar', in the 'Kingfisher' or 'Sea Top'.

The best way to get to know the country is to get friendly with some local people. A Kenyan friend will help you to understand Kenya and its people and naturally expects you to teach him also about your culture.

[home] [general] [locations] [safaris] [language] [entertainment] [services] [resources]
[nairobi] [the coast] [central kenya]
[mombasa] [malindi] [kikambala] [majengo]