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Chagga Christmas
Always fun-packed season
By Elisha Mayallah
The annual Chagga holiday ritual is on
- it's a few days away. It is a yearly ritual observed by most of the 'Wachaggas'
"As a tradition I do visit my home area in Marangu every year during the
X-Mas and New Year holidays. Every year come mid December we will find
ourselves back home," said Augusta Mboya a resident of Njiro in Arusha.
Often described as "the hidden jewel of the Chagga land," Marangu boasts
many attractions for the visitor. First on your itinerary should be a
visit to the KINAPA gate, where climbers of the rooftop of Africa start
- Marangu route – to acclimatize the mountainous vegetation. Then at
least take in the beauty of the rolling countryside.
Market days conducted on rotation basis from one area to another are a
highlight for visitors. At Kinyange, nestled away in peaceful, idyllic
area surrounded by grass thatched huts and the sprawling village of
Sembeti – the market is quite a spectacle for the unsuspecting visitor.
The aroma of fruit, veggies and bananas hangs in the air and the buzz of
the market throughout the gigantic space. Hundreds of stands advertise
everything from fresh produce, live poultry and used clothes [mitumba]
to "yebo yebo" sandals.
Yet all this only scratches of the surface – there are waterfalls and
for the slightly more adventurous Mandara hut perched on 2700m offers
great chances of exploring the mountains topography and scenery.
Having done a tour of the area visitors are keen to find a place to lay
their weary heads. Marangu has a wide range of accommodation on offer –
from simple budget self-catering to more upmarket bed-and-breakfast
establishments.
Many hotel establishments say up to 90 per cent of their guests during
X-Mas and New Year book well in advance. Many families from Dar es
Salaam, Arusha, Nairobi and other areas are known to spend their festive
season in Marangu.
It's doubtful if Hans Meyer and Mzee Lauwo would recognize the area
today, however much they loved it in their travel in 1889. Hans Meyer
was the first foreigner who conquered the summit of the Kilimanjaro and
Lauwo was his porter.
During the X-Mas and New Year holidays the sky in Kilimanjaro region
would be invariably overcast, the showers, wind-chill factor in some
place, horde of people arriving and unpacking, drinking beers and 'mbege'
[the traditional drink]. For some reason it is always a fun packed time!
Christmas and New Year holidays are used to be largely excuse for
excesses. Being naturally pleasure-seeking, many a people spend most of
the holiday in an alcoholic haze. And the Wachaggas are not exception –
they really drink to their fill!
During Christmas last year in Marangu it turned out to be a highly
sociable experience for my family and I, even when none of us dared to
drink the famous "mbege". The Wachaggas best-known local food –
Machalali - is the must inclusion of the holiday sumptuous menus nearly
always during this time. We had a feel of the local traditional food,
unknown to us earlier, but turned out to be a delicious meal.
While merrymaking with a family up in Mamba Kotela courtesy of Mrs.
Yesse Moshi and her family, we found almost all homes busy as families
moved from one house to another to either have a meal or enjoy a drink.
Every one in this place was generous. As a person from the Lake region I
still consider the North in particular the Wachagga areas to be the most
beautiful during these holidays, whose populations equally soars and
holding up better.
The Chagga population seemed to have emptied itself out en masse, and it
was exciting, lively crowd with chattering loudly over music of the
season most of us hear during this time round.
Our ravenous appetites were soon satisfied as endless plates of food
were served to us on beautifully laid tables. We relished in the luxury
and ate much more than is usually considered respectable.
During the year, Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort in Marangu Kyalla is a
Mecca for families looking for odd-world hospitality and peace. "Guests
come from different regions and they are very excited to see one another
every year" said Mrs. Elizabeth Njiu the Director of the resort. "They
come here for freedom in our gardens and good service. Our biggest
advantage is our price-friendly policy, safety and comfort of children"
she added.
Strengthened we admired the architecture at the resort, wandered down
through walkways and eventually made our way to the gardens. Walking
really needs nourishment and in all the gardens, the options are so
attractive.
No wonder Marangu has been a unique holiday destination for so long
perhaps the only surprise is that more people have not yet experienced
it for themselves.
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