From Butiama and beyond...

Monday, 12 September 2011

My version of the year in review - January(2)

January 30, 2010

I visited the Sukuma Museum at Bujora in the outskirts of Mwanza. I had inquired in advance about the snake dance and was looking forward to seeing how the dancers interact with a snake.

I had experienced a long busy day and as the dances continued for a while, I realized that the snake dance was reserved for the end. I was tired and sat on a wooden crate.

Later, curious to know where the snake could be, I wondered whether the snake was in the crate. I asked and was told it was in the crate.

The main snake handler appeared to be intoxicated when he removed the python from the crate and I felt the handling of the snake could have been gentler.

Saturday, 10 September 2011

My version of the year 2010 in review - March

March 1, 2010

I was driving to Musoma and when I passed a village called Sabasaba I noticed a labourer at the side of a fresh mound of earth parallel to the road. I asked, “Can I take your photograph?” He obliged, pretending he was actually working when, in reality, the work had been completed a while ago.

It was the National Optic Fiber Cable System on its way to Musoma. Someone told me then that broadband would be available in Musoma by July 2010.

Afterwards it was the turn of his co-labourers to ask: “Can we pose next to your

your car and take photos.” I obliged and they had a ball.

March 5, 2010

Every time I drive on the road there is an instance of careless driving. This time it was a truck offloading sand for road repairs on a section of the Mwanza – Musoma road near the Tarime/Sirari junction.

March 14, 2010

When I moved to an unused house at Butiama I found myself occupying a room with several snakes. When I checked the snake guide, I discovered these were the young of one of the most poisonous snakes in the world, the Black Mamba.

The Black Mamba grows to a length of up to 3.20 metres.

Of the Mamba, Bill Branch in A Photographic Guide to Snakes, Other Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa writes: “When

disturbed, it rears the forebody, gapes widely, spreads a very narrow hood, and gives a hollow hiss. It is a warning best heeded!”

Profile: Mwenda Sanat Mtaki

The second student from the Sokoine University Agriculture who is in his field attachment at the Butiama Cultural Tourism Enterprise (BCTE) is Mwenda Sanat Mtaki, 24. He is about to commence the third year of the Bachelor of Science programme in Tourism Management.

“In my first year of field attachment I went to the Arusha National Park. I wanted to change the environment, because I initially experienced wildlife tourism but this year I wanted to experience cultural tourism so that I could get a different experience to the one I had the first year, “ says Mtaki. He explains he specifically chose the BCTE for this year's field attachment.

Mtaki's choice to pursue a degree in tourism management has been building up since his high school days. He adds: “Tourism is a sector of the economy that is rapidly growing.”

Mtaki at Butiama.

“Initially the University provides an opportunity for each student to select a suitable location for his field attachment to minimize costs for the student,” he elaborates to explain how the attachments are administered. "It is only when the student fails to find a field attachment with an employer does the University step in to help with the placements.”

It is his first visit to Butiama and he points to some challenges. “We have received suggestions from some of the visitors who want to see some maintenance carried out in some places, for example, on some of the traditional silos, so they can reflect the actual conditions in which Mwalimu [Nyerere] lived.”

“We also receive another challenge from the local community; they have not yet understood the concept of cultural tourism,” he adds.

His visit, he says, has enabled him to acquire a better understanding of traditions of the Zanaki ethnic group.

Why should anyone visit the BCTE? He cites easy access, availability of accompanying services, such as accommodation, and the proximity of other attractions including the Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere Museum, and Lake Victoria.

Posts related to this one:
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2011/09/profile-thomas-itembe.html
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2011/09/profile-egidia-justinian.html
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2011/09/profile-susan-daudi.html

Friday, 9 September 2011

My version of the year 2010 in review - February

February 2, 2010

My cousin, Magori, (on the left in the photo, below) called a meeting and announced she was a candidate for Mara region under the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) ticket for the post of member of parliament, special seats, in the October general elections.

At that meeting, it became apparent why members of parliament do not visit their constituencies regularly. One of the invitees, above right, was already raising an issue with the would-be member of parliament. Magori's bid was not successful.

Earlier, students from a school in Dar es Salaam's Academic International School visited Butiama with their teacher and we took a group photo (below). One student said he will one day become minister of finance and another was certain he would become minister of works. They urged me to run for president.

It made sense. After such a compliment they would definitely be in my cabinet.

February 12, 2010

From Singida, a group of elders of CCM's predecessor, the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) visited Butiama. They recounted stories of their involvement in Tanganyika's struggle for independence.

They also told me they were members of the singing groups organized by TANU during the independence struggle in which my uncle, Joseph Nyerere, took a prominent role.

February 27, 2010

My cousin, Fulgence Kitigwa, above left, runs a video shooting and production business and today brought along a choir group for a video shooting session for