Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala
This traveler came from a mountainous area where there is plenty of flowing water running down into the valley. In the mountains, people cultivate various vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, onions, bell peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli. The mountain climate is cold, while the valley is hot. Therefore, mountain residents who have sufficient income often own farms in the valley, since the crops grown in the mountains differ from those grown in the valley.
The traveler left his mountain home early in the morning, carrying a small bag with a few clothes, and began walking downhill for about fifty minutes. He then reached a small stream, removed the muddy clothes he had been wearing, bathed, washed them, and changed into clean clothes. After that, he went to the roadside to wait for a bus to his destination.
Dear reader, remember this:
“When this traveler removed and washed the clothes he had worn in the mountains—which are often covered in mud because wrestling is a common activity among mountain people—if there is a nearby house, those clothes are hung out to dry so that upon return, one can change from town clothes back into the wrestling clothes. If there is no nearby house, one does one of two things: either hide the wet clothes in the bushes to collect later, or put them in a bag and travel with them.”
That is how mountain people travel.
After waiting for about five minutes, the bus arrived. He boarded and paid 5,000 Tanzanian shillings (about two US dollars in 2026). The bus ride took nearly fifty minutes. Upon arrival, he was greeted by the sight of many young men operating motorcycle taxis (bodaboda). Without hesitation, he chose a careful and trustworthy rider to take him to his farm. On foot, the journey would take nearly five hours, but by motorcycle it would take only fifty minutes.
They rode for about twenty-five minutes—half the journey—before encountering a large seasonal river swollen with rainwater. The motorcycle rider said:
“My brother, the water is high. We often cross here, but today it is very dangerous. Even my hair is standing on end. Let us turn back and use another route. When the water is high here, it is usually lower on the other path.”
The passenger agreed. They turned back for about twenty minutes and took the alternative route. After thirty minutes, they reached another crossing point where the water flowed toward the larger river they had first encountered.
They were welcomed by the roaring sound of rushing water, accompanied by birdsong in this valley famous for maize and rice farming. It was around 8:30 in the morning. The rider said:
“My brother, get off. Even I must push the motorcycle through here. The water is not little, but it is manageable, and I know the safe paths when it rises. But remember this: when crossing moving water that reaches above your knees, do not lift your feet. If you step forward, drag your feet one after the other. If you walk as though on dry land, the water will knock you down. Right now, you would be swept away, and we would forget you.”
The mountain man obeyed carefully. They crossed safely, then walked for about five minutes through muddy patches. Just as they were about to remount the motorcycle, they saw five men carrying machetes. The rider greeted them and asked why they were returning home so early with machetes.
One of the men, who appeared to be their leader, replied:
“Yesterday we left our friend farming in the fields. Later it rained, and he did not return home. So we have been searching for him since dawn, checking this river in case he was swept away by the seasonal floods… or met with trouble. We have been looking for him since early morning.”
After offering their sympathies, the traveler and the rider continued to the farm. The traveler collected five sacks of rice and took them to a milling machine at the station. After milling, he had a total of 250 kilograms of rice. The load was taken to the bus station to be transported back to the mountains. The bodaboda rider was paid 50,000 Tanzanian shillings (about twenty US dollars) for his service.
The traveler boarded the bus and returned to the place where he had first boarded in the morning. The rice was divided into ten bags of 25 kilograms each. Ten young men carried the bags uphill to his home in the mountains. He changed from his bus clothes into his rough mountain clothes for climbing and followed them home safely.
What is our lesson today?
Dear reader, in certain journeys, rules must be followed. There are clothes suitable for muddy areas; you bathe and change into clean clothes to appear presentable on the bus. When crossing water that rises above your knees, do not lift your feet—drag them. If you lift them, the water will knock you down, sweep you away, and you may lose your life. To stay safe, avoid stubbornness and follow instructions so that you may reach your destination safely.
Look at how careful this mountain traveler was from the beginning to the end of his journey—obedient, respectful, attentive, and fair in paying those who helped him.
Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember:
“When walking in water above your knees, drag your feet.”
Have a good day.
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