Puddle, puddles

[ . BACK to Worldkigo TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Puddle, puddles

***** Location: Kenya, Guyana
***** Season: Long rains, short rains
............. others see below
***** Category: Earth

*****************************
Explanation

Puddles formation at the roadside is usual in our city during wet seasons.

kenneth daniels (Guyana)
SOUTH AMERICAN SAIJIKI




:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

quote
A puddle is a small accumulation of liquid, usually water, on a surface. It can form either by pooling in a depression on the surface, or by surface tension upon a flat surface. A puddle is generally considered to be small enough to step over or shallow enough to walk through, and too small to traverse with a boat, raft or submarine.

Puddles commonly form during rainstorms, and can cause problems for transport, especially when combined with cold conditions to form patches of ice, which are highly slippery and difficult to see. Due to the angle of the road, puddles tend to be forced by gravity to gather on the edge of the road. This causes the notorious 'splash' as cars drive quickly through the puddle, which causes water to be sprayed onto pedestrians on the adjacent pavement. A puddle on a road is commonly referred to as a Wooosher. Sometimes, irresponsible drivers will do this deliberately. Such activity is frowned upon, and in some countries can lead to prosecutions for careless driving.

Puddles are often considered a source of recreation by children, who consider jumping in puddles to be an "up-side" to rain.

Biology
Animals often use puddles either as a drinking source, a bath, or, in the case of some smaller animals, an entire habitat. Puddles are also vital for bathing birds.

Puddles which do not evaporate quickly can become standing water, which can become polluted by decaying organisms and are often home to breeding mosquitos, which can act as vectors for diseases such as malaria and of more recent concern in certain areas of the world, West Nile Virus.

Swallows use the damp loam which gathers in puddles as a form of cement to help to build their nests. The reduction in the number of puddles in the countryside due to intensive farming and climate change is partially to blame for a decrease in the swallows' numbers.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

*****************************
Worldwide use

Germany and other European regions

Pfütze, Wasserpfütze
topic for haiku

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Japan

mizutamari みずたまり【水溜まり】puddle
topic for haiku

*****************************
Things found on the way


*****************************
HAIKU

wayside puddles
banana skin peelings
on the path

kenneth daniels (GY)
June 2009

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


The long rains are subsiding and this is what i saw in the afternoon in the muddy road home as i was coming from school:

desperate tadpole
in the hot scorching sun
dwindling puddle

Harrison Wambua, Nairobi, Kenya
June 2009


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


passing rain--
she steps in the puddle to
soften the mud

Caleb David Mutua, Kenya





PUDDLES - More photos by Caleb Mutua


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



buy two
get one free--
milk hawker

MORE
Long Rains Haiku
By Patrik Wafula, March 2010


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


rain---
a street boy washes his hands
in a puddle

Catherine Njeri
April 2010


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


rainy afternoon--
my loose sole sticks
in a muddy puddle

Brian Etole
October 2010



:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


PUDDLE haiku
Kenya Saijiki Forum

PUDDLES haiku
Kenya Saijiki Forum


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Die dunkle Pfütze -
der Himmel treibt in Blasen
und zerplatzt

Gerd Börner (DE)
source : www.wowwi.orc.ru


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


水溜りバシャバシャ歩く童かな
mizudamari baja-baja aruku warabe kana

puddles -
the children walk
with splashing sounds

source : rakuten.co.jp
Tr. Gabi Greve

bajabaja, baja-baja imitates the sound of rubber boots in puddles.


MORE
Japanese haiku with 水たまり

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Puddles and their reflections of the sky are a common theme for haiku ... so nice to observe after a downpoor !

Here are some random samples while googeling

"Who has not read a haiku with the traditional image of a puddle of rain reflecting a leaf, cloud, moon, sky, kite, flower, frog?"
One Haiku, Several Authors


Sky clearing colors of the rainbow from puddle to puddle

After the rain a puddle. Careful. Don't step on the sky

Drops as they splattered. Into the puddle

One shoe slaps puddle. Cold water flies everywhere. Other foot gets wet.

The moon is reflected even in a puddle an inch wide
Muddy dirt puddle, Meaning nothing to people, Reflects the bright moon

puddle after puddle— the bright color of her long raincoat.

Trailer park girl rolls in puddle. Left by afternoon rain

frozen puddles– the crack of axes from four directions

MORE
Haiku with a puddle


googeling "in each puddle"

after summer storm a moon in each puddle

up in each puddle this stone left by a lizard still warm

...... while stepping on the moon in each puddle

MORE googeling :
Haiku with "in each puddle"

.................................................................................


after the storm -
paulownia blossoms
in each puddle

Gabi Greve, May 2007


*****************************
Related words

***** SOUTH AMERICAN SAIJIKI

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Back to the Worldkigo Index

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Power failure

[ . BACK to TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Power failure, power cut,
electricity rationing, blackout

***** Location: Kenya
***** Season: Long rains, short rains
***** Category: Humanity

*****************************
Explanation

In Kenya, we have power failures all year round, sometimes for days on end -- but when the rains start pelting down, we actually expect the power to go... (see First rainfall).

The rainy season brings power failures or power cuts, most commonly in the form of the sudden disappearance of electricity. The tropical rains being so heavy, vulnerable power lines can be damaged by the force of the floods caused by rainfall, and sometimes even masts come down. Electrical teams are in high demand at such times, and work around the clock to restore electricity as soon as possible.

Much of Kenya’s power is in the form of hydro electricity. The force of the rainfall can also damage dams, again leading to power cuts.

When generating capacity is damaged to such an extent that not sufficient power can be produced for the country, a period of electricity rationing may be declared. Newspapers carry the times when the various parts of the city and the country will not have power, and people organise their lives around the times when electricity is available. As the generating capacity of the country has considerably risen over the past decade, such periods are now few and far between.

The major schools and businesses have generators on stand-by, and these spring into action automatically, once there is no power coming through. Normal households enjoying electricity supplies have older fall-back technologies, in common with those not yet connected to the grid : candles, kerosene lamps, jiko (kerosene or charcoal brazier), gas cookers. The real nightmare is for those with fridges and freezers, as a power cut of more than 24 hours probably means that all the contents will be spoilt.

Most Kenyan homes, schools and small businesses do not yet have electricity (although this may soon change, as power lines are being expanded to many new areas) -- so that power cuts are really not all that important in the lives of ordinary Kenyans. Those homes which are connected, usually have few demands on electricity supplies -- the most important of these being light -- hence the frequent use of the word blackout to describe a power failure.


Kerosene lamp in action

Text and photo © Isabelle Prondzynski

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


*****************************
Worldwide use


power outage –
barks spiral around
the neighbourhood

- Shared by Johannes Manjrekar -
Joys of Japan, 2012



*****************************
Things found on the way


© www.wap.org/journal/blackout/

A blackout is more commonly a war time occurrence, when there may be lights used in the houses, but people try to make sure that none shows outdoors, so that the enemy planes cannot see where the houses are, where the factories or barracks are located, etc... I cannot remember this... but being a European, it is part of folk memory in that part of the world, and my parents remember it well.

~ Isabelle Prondzynski

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


We had the black out from 1943 to 1955 in Japan.

black out
remembering War time
winter seclusion

Sakuo Nakamura


*****************************
HAIKU

after the rain --
cooking by candle light
in silence

power failure --
all the more visible
the full moon

candle night
hand in hand up the stairs
to find the bed


Cooking vegetables with a jiko

Haiku and photo © Isabelle Prondzynski

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


work pending
as blackout rages --
dark office

visitors arrive
think no one is in school --
blackout

Adelaide Luvandale


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

power failure again !
the ironing wallah grabs
for the charcoals

Gabi Greve, visiting India, 1980


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


power shortage --
torches glimmer in the
dark night

dark night --
people walk in the dimly
lit streets


Kelvin Mukoselo, Kenya
August 2009


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


candle light
glimmers in a dark room-
power rationing

Siboko Yamame
Kenya, August 2009


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


due to the current power crisis many people have resolved to the opposite
of doing stuff

power rationing--
a woman lights an old lamp
at the market

power rationing--
a long queue at the
old barber shop

water shortage--
a man whistles to a water
supply man

water shortage--
a zipless jacket abandoned
at the dry sink

two ducks feed
at a drying water pool--
dry august

hunger--
a broken pot deserted
at the well

hot terrain--
dry tear stains on the young
pokot boy


dry august--
two pokot girls battle
over wild berries

Hussein Haji, August 2009
pokot a pastrolism tribe in north kenya.

. . . CLICK here for Photos !

The Pokot people
(commonly spelled Pökoot, and called Suk in older literature) live in the West Pokot and Baringo Districts of Kenya and in eastern Karamoja in Uganda.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


I grope for
our door knob-
black out

Andrew Otinga, March 2011


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


power failure --
does the moonlight
outdo the candle's?

James Bundi, June 2012


*****************************
Related words


***** Jiko (both stove and brazier)

***** First rainfall, imminent rain

***** Candle Night


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Back to the Worldkigo Index

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Plum fruit

[ . BACK to TOP . ]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Plums

***** Location: Kenya
***** Season: Hot dry season
***** Category: Plant

*****************************
Explanation

In Kenya, plum is a kigo which refers to the fruit -- not the blossom, as it would be in Japan! Plum trees in Kenya grow at high altitude, and the fruit are brought down to Nairobi (itself high at 1,800 m above sea level) in early January and available all over the city, but only for a short and delicious spell of two or three weeks.

During that brief time, they will be found in markets, at roadside stalls, sold by hawkers seated on pavements, or off a wheelbarrow. They could be spread out in tidy pryramids, for sale at a set price, or they could be sold by the heaped Kasuku jar (Kasuku is a popular cooking fat), out of large buckets -- and always a little bonus (called “discount”) thrown in!

Some people immediately munch -- others remember hygiene teaching and take their bag home to wash the fruit first -- and a few resident Europeans, worried about cleanliness, prefer to cook them before eating. Each of these ways are good, and everyone enjoys the plum season.

Kenya plums are round, red and small -- looking to a European rather like oversized cherries -- and have a sweet, but tart flavour. They are so tasty, and much more satisfying than most of the cultivated export varieties of other countries. There is also a yellow variety, which is less common and less flavoursome.

Plums are one of the rare Kenyan fruit which are highly seasonal -- blink twice, and they are gone until next year -- and as they are not expensive, they are popular with both adults and children. Apart from being delicious raw, they can also be stewed, and they make an excellent jam.


Plums for sale at a Nairobi bus stop
Text and photo © Isabelle Prondzynski


*****************************
Worldwide use

Japan

Plum blossoms (ume) Many related kigo
...... Plum blossom fragrance (ume ga ka)

*****************************
Things found on the way


*****************************
HAIKU

piled in roadside stalls --
red plums -- soft, shiny and plump,
first of the new year

warm plum jam
licked off the wooden spoon
rounded and red

making plum jam --
two stems and a leaf
well cooked too


Plum jam still cooling
Photo © Isabelle Prondzynski

selling red plums --
baby too bends
up and down

~ Isabelle Prondzynski

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

red plums in markets
sweet although very tiny
all for good health

~ Winnie Wairimu (Peacock)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

two little girls
bending over a wheelbarrow
select plums

~ Catherine Njeri Maina (Bamboocha)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sabasaba road
hawkers dragging wheelbarrows
plums cost five shillings

~ Loice Wangeci (Peacock)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

wheelbarrows
filled with red and pink
moist plums

(peddlers sell plums on wheelbarrows around the steets)

I spit the seed
of the reddish sweet plum
mmh! yammy!

~ Caleb David Mutua (Peacock)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Plums measured by the Kasuku jar
Photo © Isabelle Prondzynski

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

HAIBUN

It was on Monday morning, when I travelled to Gikomba, on my way back reaching Eastleigh area, I spotted a kiosk full of PLUMS.

You know what, I made a stop over in Eastleigh, because it was something good for a haiku observer like me. Immediately I stepped down,

here they are again
red round fleshy plums
in Eastleigh area

Eastleigh area is a well known habitat for Muslims in Kenya. Keen with my pen and a note book, I walked around, then

in white robes Muslims
stood around a kiosk buying
plums one by one

As the walk continues, kids come,

kids enjoy its flesh
as its juice drips and decorates
their white robes

The walk does not stop there, now a mother,

a happy mother
having a taste first before
giving her order

baby on her back
stretching out his hand to have his
portion of ripe plum

Unfortunately I never had a cent remaining, only the fare from Eastleigh to Umoja, so I never had a taste, but they are here I'll soon have.

~ Raymond Otieno, 14 December 2006
(Bamboocha)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


cool evening --
a student quietly
sucking plums

Elkana Mogaka



dusty sunset --
the hawker's wheelbarrow
still full of red plums

Patrick Wafula


More PLUM HAIKU from January 2008


*****************************
Related words

***** Peach (ripe at the same time in Kenya)

*****************************
THE KENYA SAIJIKI
Please send your contributions to
Gabi Greve / Isabelle Prondzynski
worldkigo .....

Back to the Worldkigo Index

Poui Tree

[ . BACK to TOP . ]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Poui Tree (Tabebuia Family)

***** Location: Trinidad and Tobago, Tropics
***** Season: Tropical Rainy Season
***** Category: Plant

*****************************
Explanation

Pink Poui, Pink Trumpet Tree

First Bloom of The Poui (yellow) also called golden poui and (pink); first bloom may start as early as late March or early April and is a dramatic spectacle and it is accepted as a signal for the approaching Rainy Season and an end to the Dry Season in Trinidad and Tobago

Blossom Fall The poui blossom fall would be around late April and during May as the blossoming of the Poui is usually a sign of the coming Rainy season which starts in June.

Late Bloom September we may have another blossoming and fall but the April /May is most dramatic as it presages the Rainy season. The September bloom sort of ushering out the Rainy Season and its the Hurricane phase
I remember a little poem from my childhood pertaining to the Hurricane and Storm cycle within the Rainy Season which goes like this

June too soon
July stand-by
August come what may
September remember
October all over

So in fact the Poui acts as a season change signalling the coming of and ushering out the Rainy Season.

Gillena Cox

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Read more about the

Pink Poui, Pink Tecoma, Rosy Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia rosea)

http://davesgarden.com/pdb/go/54474///
http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/english/tab1ro.html
http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=TARO#guides

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Pictures

Pink Poui...Genus Species : Tabebuia rosa
Look at this huge picture here:
http://www.ttcsweb.org/photos/poui_hollow.jpg
http://www.planetware.com/photos/TRI/TRI004.HTM

Yellow Poui...Genus Species : Tabebuia serratifolia


© Wikipedia : Tabebuia

*****************************
Things found on the way

*****************************
HAIKU

blossom fall
pink poui
at my feet
gillena 2003


poui blossoms fall
I am torn between looking
up and down
gilllena 2003


morning sun
at the center
of the pink poui
a spot of yellow
gillena 2003

on the mountain
no golden poui blossoms
but today rain

gillena cox 2002
(also appearing at WHReviewVol.2 No. 2)

http://mongst.8k.com/

*****************************
Related words

***** trumpet tree, golden yellow trumpet tree Tabebuia chrysantha
India

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

To the Worldkigo Index
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/

Polling Day, Election Day

[ . BACK to TOP . ]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Trinidad and Tobago Saijiki

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Polling Day, Election Day

***** Location: Trinidad and Tobago, worldwide
***** Season: Non-seasonal Topic
***** Category: Humanity

*****************************
Explanation

There are many things to be elected.
Poems about this topic might tend to be more on the side of senryu.



Political election day, kigo for various seasons, see below.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Politics of Trinidad and Tobago takes place in a framework of a unitary state, with a parliamentary democracy modelled on that of the UK, from which it gained independence in 1962. Under the 1976 republican Constitution, the British monarch was replaced as head of state by a President chosen by an electoral college composed of the members of the bicameral Parliament, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The general direction and control of the government rests with the Cabinet, led by a Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are answerable (at least in theory) to the House of Representatives.

Read more:
Politics of Trinidad and Tobago / Wikipedia

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

CBCnews

Monday, November 5, 2007

The possibility of sweeping constitutional changes that would turn Trinidad and Tobago's government into a U.S.-style presidency is at stake as voters began casting ballots at 6 a.m. Monday in a national election.

The governing People's National Movement, or PNM, held 20 of 36 seats in the oil-rich Caribbean country's previous Parliament and is likely to be re-elected with a comfortable majority, unless the two main opposition parties can avoid vote-splitting.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning is hoping to gain a special majority of at least 28 seats in Parliament — which, after boundary changes, now has 41 seats — to introduce constitutional amendments that will establish an executive presidency.
　©www.cbc.ca


MORE !
"Trinidad and Tobago" election day 2007


*****************************
Worldwide use

England (United Kingdom)

Election Day in the United Kingdom is by tradition a Thursday, but the date for general elections is not fixed by law. Most other European countries hold all Elections on Sundays.
Polls in the United Kingdom open at 7:00 and close at 22:00.

© More in the WIKIPEDIA !

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

USA

Election Day
first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Observed by the federal and state governments in applicable years; legal holiday in some states.
kigo for autumn


*****************************
Things found on the way


*****************************
HAIKU



polling day ..
the ink stains
on indeX fingers

©　Gillena Cox, November 2007

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Election Day morning: haiku

Election Day morning.
The factory whistle seems
to go on forever.

Election Day morning.
Gray squirrels forage in the oaks.
The clatter of acorns.

Many more are here:
　©　vita negativa


*****************************
Related words



BACK TO
Trinidad and Tobago Saijiki


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Back to the Worldkigo Index

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Peacocks July 2006

nnnnnnnnnnnn TOP nnnnnnnnnnnnn

PEACOKC Haiku Club
Collection July 2006

Themes: Exams and Avocado

students
with books and papers
preparing for exams
Agnes Adhiambo

exams are on--
the compound is so quiet
students murmuring
Kelvin Mukoselo

contemplative looks —
quizzes for testing our knowledge
in all subjects
Jane Wambui

questions for the mind —
pass from it or fall from it
life of a student
Lilian Atieno

quiet compound —
reading preparing
for exams
Beth Mwangi

cramming everything —
students hearts beat rapidly
waiting for exams
Beth Mwangi

panicking faces —
students glued to exam papers
and silence everywhere
Jelida Kerubo

with happy faces
students jump up down
exams are over
Jelida Kerubo

all seated in class
pens and papers in hand
doing their exams
Loise Form 1A

here comes the exams --
students scratch their heads
answering the questions

two times eight plus two
what a technical querry
oh it was an exam
Stephen Kimanthi

mathematics hard
a relief in English —
time runs out
Kevin Muraguri

winners are rewarded
and failures crying all over —
please don't be a failure
Gladys Kathini

a quiet class —
students with pens and clipboards
ready for exams
Khadijah Rajab

busy offices —
students out of bounds
exams on the way
Onimbo Christine

pensive students
frequent the toilet —
exams
Onimbo Christine

it's almost time —
students scratch their heads
whispering prayers
Christine Nyakado

chilly morning —
teachers with exams in hand
and students seated
Christine Nyakado

maths paper on table
pens and protractors at work
no one wants to fail
Jacinta Minoo

parents rejoicing
for the hard work of their children
showering us with gifts
Dorine Atieno

students scratching heads
books past papers at work again
teachers busy with pens
Husseini Haji


AVOCADO

seeds scattered everywhere
children running with avocados
the avocado season
Husseini Haji

the green round fruit
swinging around the tall leafy tree —
the avocado
Stephen Kimanthi

fat people all over
and happiness on every face —
the avocado
Gladys Kathini

avocado seeds —
farmers busy in nurseries
for better plantations
Jelida Kerubo


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

***** PEACOCK Haiku Club


***** School exams KCSE / KCPE

***** Avocado pear (Kikuyu : Mûkorobîa)

*****************************
THE KENYA SAIJIKI
Please send your contributions to
Gabi Greve / Isabelle Prondzynski
worldkigo .....

Back to the Worldkigo Index

Peace (amani)

nnnnnnnnnnnn TOP nnnnnnnnnnnnn

Peace (Swahili : Amani)

***** Location: Kenya
***** Season: Non-seasonal topic
***** Category: Humanity

*****************************
Explanation


Peace in Kenya, as elsewhere, has many layers of meaning.

Kenya haijin, first of all, think of peace within their own country and in the cross-border regions with neighbouring countries. Several regions in the country have suffered ethnic strife from time to time. This may be caused by political factors, pitting one community against another, or it may be due to by traditional practices, such as cattle rustling from neighbouring communities (see Maasai Cattle in this Database) and, more recently, by conflict over the ownership of water sources in the semi-arid areas.

Next, they think of peace within the neighbouring countries. Kenya, as a stable democracy, has over the decades acted as host to innumerable refugees from Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, the Congo, and other countries farther afield. Kenya governments, past and present, have consistently worked for peace agreements in these neighbouring countries and have successfully brokered several of these.

Beyond this, Kenya haijin think of peace in the world (see also War and Peace in this Database). Thanks to the news media, they are as concerned about trouble spots in other parts of the world as the citizens of any other nation, and regularly pray for such places in church and in public gatherings. Kenya is a regular supplier of UN Peacekeeping Forces, most often for duty in other African countries, but also in other continents.

Kenya took its own heavy toll of suffering from conflict in other parts of the world, when the capital was hit by the Nairobi Bomb on 7 August 1998 (see Nairobi Bomb Day in this Database).



The Bamboochas pay their respects at the 7 August 1998 Memorial, August 2006
Photo : Patrick Wafula

Finally, Kenya haijin remember peace in their own communities, their families, their homes and their hearts. Students learn and perform drama containing scenes of family strife and violence, with the objective of raising awareness and preventing the replication of such suffering in the next generation.

Isabelle Prondzynski

*****************************
Worldwide use


*****************************
Things found on the way

The government of retired President Daniel arap Moi (1978 - 2002) chose the themes of Peace, Love and Unity as its slogan. The Peace Monument, mentioned by Patrick Wafula below, was erected during this era. Moi Day (10 October), a public holiday currently under review, was set as a day to remember others and look after the less advantaged citizens.

Isabelle Prondzynski

More information here :
http://www.mfa.go.ke/moi.html


*****************************
HAIKU

in the schoolyard
making peace between factions --
one lone boy

bedtime --
around the kerosene lamp
we pray for peace

~ Isabelle Prondzynski

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

rainy windy Marsabit --
peacemakers perish
in a plane crash

~ Anne Nechesa (Peacock Haiku Poetry Club)


church leaders --
heads bowed and hands raised
praying for peace

~ Catherine Njeri (Bahati Haiku Poetry Club)


peaceful dog
poaked by a passing boy --
it runs at the boy

~ Simon Ndirangu (Falcons Haiku Poetry Club)


baby crying
mother bleeding badly
no peace at home

~ Raymond Otieno (Bahati Haiku Poetry Club)


Students of Bahati Secondary School performing a sketch on family violence

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Samburu elders
offering a peace sacrifice --
cows moo, bulls bellow

happy looking kid...
sucking lollipop in front of
the Peace Monument

heavy beads of sweat
drop from patrol police's brow...
calm Mai Mahiu

~ Patrick Wafula

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Read more Haiku about Peace and Love
from Kenya Haiku Clubs here !


*****************************
Related words

***** Nairobi Bomb Day

***** World Peace Day

***** War and Peace (sensoo to heiwa) 　

***** Moi Day
kigo for the short rains

*****************************
THE KENYA SAIJIKI
Please send your contributions to
Gabi Greve / Isabelle Prondzynski
worldkigo .....

Back to the Worldkigo Index

Peace Haiku

nnnnnnnnnnnn TOP nnnnnnnnnnnnn

Peace, Love and Unity
from Haiku Clubs of Kenya
September 2006


Peace


a dog is confused
mother and father yelling
peace is stired

~ Raymond Otieno (Bamboocha)



joining hands
all government officials
pray for peace

~ Catherine Njeri (Bamboocha)



peace demonstrations
on the streets of Nairobi--
pray for our country

~ Catherine Njeri (Bamboocha)



the United Nations
goes to Palestine and Israel
requesting for peace

~ Catherine Njeri (Bamboocha)



peace-keeping troops
flying to Middle East
on peace keeping missions

~ Catherine Njeri (Bamboocha)



a happy re-union--
America and Cuba
peace at last

~ Catherine Njeri (Bamboocha)



In North Eastern--
nomads move here and there
looking for peace

~ David Wandera (Bamboocha)



Christians
in the church praying
for peace

~ Walter Ochola (Bamboocha)



America and Kenya
Presidents talk together
to bring peace

~ Depporah Mocheche (Bamboocha)



in Northern Uganda
the LRA kills women and children--
where is peace?

~ Patrick Wafula (Sensei)



American nuclear
bombs overwhelms Iraq -
no peace at all

~ Leonard (Falcon)



troops well ammunised
sent by UN in Iraq so as
to keep peace

~ Fan (Falcon)



agony in Marsabit
as Mzee Kipkweny frees
his own house

~ Patrick (Falcon)



Iraq among countries
with disastrous weapons
ready to devour

~ Meryline (Falcon)



proud happy Kenyan
harmony and peace everywhere
what a wonderful country

~ Samson (Falcon)



Benin, Zaire, Congo
folks dying everyday
no peace within

~ Serine (Falcon)



peace in Kenya
people living good life
no more war

(Falcon)



It is better now
North eastern people friendly
peace at last

~ Moses (Falcon)



we want peace -
no one can stop us
shouting peace

~ Hellen (Falcon)



women crying
our children dying daily
no peace at all

~ Grace (Falcon)



peaceful country
no corruption or disturbance
attract tourists

~ Grace (Falcon)



everything paucity
peace is what we prefer
calmness is needed

~ Andersoon (Falcon)



our country Kenya
surrounded by peace and harmony
what a country

~ Erustus (Falcon)



Sauatus in camps
children hungry and thirsty
people are inquietude

~ Ashraff Baraza (Falcon)



peace we need it
in Iraq and America
we need harmony then

~ Rebecca Siokau (Falcon)



we need peace
patriotic Kenyans
stop fighting

~ Christine Nyakado



the Mungiki thugs
terrorize Dandora
dwellers pray for peace

~ Patrick Wafula (Sensei)

* Mungiki is an outlawed sect that has for many years terrorized and sometimes killed innocent people in Nairobi and Central Province.





Marakwet, Pokota
exchanging their fire arms,
ushering in peace

~ Patrick Wafula (Sensei)

* Marakwet and Pokot are feudal pastoralist tribes in North Rift Valley who have for many years, rustled each other's livestock. Exchanging of fire arms is a traditional sign of peace.




revellers playing
with monkeys at City Park
peace on their faces

~ Patrick Wafula (Sensei)

* City Park is a serene public park on the tree-shrouded eastern outskirts of Nairobi City.




a priest and teacher
are shot dead in Kangundo
churches pray for peace

~ Patrick Wafula (Sensei)

* Kangundo is a small town in Eastern Province. The murder of a Catholic priest and Deputy Head Teacher of Tala High School saddened the Catholic Church.




refugees praying
for peace at Kakuma Camp --
the cries of children

~ Patrick Wafula (Sensei)

* Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana is the largest refugee camp in Kenya, sheltering victims of war in the horn of Africa, especially from Sudan, Somalia, Uganda and Rwanda.




women and children
fleeing from Mai Mahiu --
corps patrol for peace

~ Patrick Wafula (Sensei)

* Mai Mahiu is a fertile place at the bottom of the Rift Valley where recent land clashes flared, causing displacement of many people especially women and children. Houses and schools were burnt. Bishop T.D Jakes paid a visit to the site and offered to construct boreholes in the area, as an effort to bring peace.




at Uhuru Park --
the Nyayo Monument of
peace love unity

~ Patrick Wafula (Sensei)

* Uhuru Park is a public park a few metres from Nairobi City center, along Uhuru Highway. The Nyayo Monument of Peace Love and Unity was constructed here. Peace Love and Unity is the philosophy frequently used by the former president Daniel arap Moi.




Musumbiji thugs
terrorize Kakamega
mourners pray for peace

~ Patrick Wafula (Sensei)

*Musumbiji is a local terrorist group in the town of Kakamega and its surroundings in Western Kenya.




massacred children
are buried in Marsabit
the P.C pleads for peace

~ Patrick Wafula (Sensei)

* Last year, over 6 school children, who were from night prayers at a local church were massacred by unknown people in Marsabit, a place in North Eastern Province of Kenya. The P.C. is the Provincial Commissioner of the Kenyan civil service.




Love


teachers hugging
students patting on the back
love and unity

~ Raymond Otieno (Bamboocha)





Unity



people without unity
fight their enemies
killing one another

~ Mercyline (Falcon)



Men and women
singing Uhuru wetu
carrying up their flags

~ Ruthe Shambura (Falcon)


*****************************
Related words


***** Peace (amani)
Back to the Main Entry


*****************************
THE KENYA SAIJIKI
Please send your contributions to
Gabi Greve / Isabelle Prondzynski
worldkigo .....

Back to the Worldkigo Index

PEACOCK 002

[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　


LONG RAIN and other HAIKU
April 2006


Green grass shines all over
How wonderful you are rain
The land is beautiful

Omwimwa James Form 2C


Rain you are wonderful
The world is green and beautiful
We all admire you

Agness Adhiambo Form 2


Dark clouds gather
Tropical torrents fall
More water

Beth Mwangi 2A


Vehicles move slowly
Dark sky pours cold water on roads
It is traffic jam

Joab Otieno 1A


Umbrella my dear friend
Cover me from the evening showers
I will not leave you

Joab Otieno 1A


Plenty of water now
Farmers work in their fields
It is green everywhere

Joab Otieno 1A


Seven colours in the sky
In a semi circle below the clouds
Showers in evening sun

Anne Nechesa (Patron)


Homeless they have been left
As water sweeps the houses rapidly
Stranded people

Jedida Kerubo


Tropical torrents
Manyattas are washed away
Maasai are homeless

Khadijah Rajab 1A


No school
Floods all over the land
Budalangi is stranded

Budalangi
A district in Western Kenya that is prone to annual flodds

Patrick Sensei

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


PEARS

Sweet juicy fruit
Kids eat in the tropical sun
Children are nourished

Peris Wanjiku 2C


A cold juicy fruit
How sweet you are
In market stalls

Agness Adhiambo 2C


Brown fruits on tress
In the gardens of Kiambu
The pears are back

Kiambu
A place in Central Kenya where pears grow.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


WIND

Trees sway
Brown yellow leaves fall
Leaving trees bare

It blows fast
Rubbish is scattered all over
Dirt is all over

It is helter skelter
In cities and towns
All run for shelter

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


LIGHTNING

A cracked heaven
Rumbling and trembling earth
Bad news

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


EASTER

All over the streets
Green palm leaves in each hand
Preaching the Prince of Peace

Zaccheuas Ogonji 2A


Both children and adults
Carry green palm leaves in the streets
Singing and dancing

Omwimwa James 2C

Christians walk all over
With palm leaves in their hands
Oh! Peaceful day

Peris Wanjiku 2C


In all churches
Palm leaves wave in the air
To mark Palm Sunday

Kerubo Jedidah 2A


Christians sing hymns
Waving green palm leaves
What a wonderful day

Beth Mwangi 2A


Ding dong the bell rings
Christians worship in Chapels
Their Christ is a live.

Nechesa Anne Patron


In the church
Believers worship in loud voices
They are very happy

Zaccheuas Ogonji


Come one come all
Let us celebrate Easter
Caring forgiving each other.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


DROUGHT

The bright sun shines
From morning to evening
It is very hot

Omwimwa James 2C


The land dries and cracks
The sun heats from East to West
The air is very hot

Peris Wanjiru. 2C


My white umbrella
Protects me from the hot sun
I am not scorched

Peris Wanjiru 2C

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Mini-Ginko on May 6, 2006

The event was attended by three groups: the Bamboochas of Bahati Community Centre Secondary School, the Oaks of Embakasi High School and the Peacocks (the hosts). The attendance was over 40 and it was great fun as the kids took the haiku walk which lasted only 45 min and wrote haiku together. This is my haiku of the event:

eager faces
sweet voices
haiku refreshes

Here are some of the introduction haiku given by some of the fans during introduction:

in black and light-blue
enter the bamboochas
ready for the ginkoo

the first meeting
for the peacocks
a day to remember

so flamboyant-
balloons and ribbons sway
peacocks hoyee

the bamboochas
wamewasili
kurifresh the peacocks

More than 50 wonderful haiku were harvested.

Patrick Wafula


*****************************
Related words

***** The PEACOCK Haiku Club

***** ..... KENYA SAIJIKI .....: Bahati Club

[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　

PEACOCK Haiku Club

[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　

PEACOCK Haiku Club - The Peacocks !

Wow! We are so delighted to be new members in the club. We call ourselves the Peacocks from St. Mathew Secondary school here in Nairobi. We thank all of you especially Patrick Sensei, Madam Isabelle and Madam Gabi for your warm welcome to the kenyasaijiki.

It is now raining all over Kenya after a long dry spell. We are very sorry that we missed out on the first collection on the longest dry season in Kenya but we thank God we have started writing just when the long rains are here.




Here are our introductory haiku about the Long Rain.


green parks
puddles all over Nairobi
maasai cattle are back

grüne Parks
Pfützen ueberall in Nairobi
Maasai Rinder sind wieder da

Anna Nechesa


flowers bloom
green grass all over
a kid chases butterflies

Blumen blühen
grünes Grass überall
ein Kind verfolgt Schmetterlinge

Mercy Osale

We look foward to sharing the fun and adventure of haiku with all of you.
Thanks a lot all of you.

Sincerely yours,
The Peacocks.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenyasaijiki/message/103

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



jovial faces
students in light-blue and grey
haiku in St. Mathew

© Photos and Haiku, Patrick Wafula

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

the longwaited match
taking place in Germany--
home of our sponsors

Dorine Atieno

Read the Peacock Haiku about the World Cup in June 2006

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

HARAMBEE KWA WATOTO PATENSCHAFTEN

Der gemeinnützige Verein Harambee Kwa Watoto - Gemeinsam für Kinder e.V. fördert und betreut Schülerinnen und Schüler an den folgenden Schulen in Nairobi, Kenia:

Kwa Watoto Primary School (Kindergarten, Vorschule, Klassen 1 bis 8)
St. Mathew Secondary School (Klassen 9 bis 12)

A German organization is facilitating help for the children from these schools.



Click on the Banner if you read German. There are also some photos of the children if you click on the photo of the school above.


© Christine Rauhut


Since I found this connection to Germany, I translated the two haiku into German.
Gabi Greve, World Kigo Database

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

PEACOCK Haiku 002 April 2006

Peacocks' Haiku Collection May 2007


PEACOCK Haiku Club Records


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Meeting of the Haiku Clubs of Nairobi
November 2006

*****************************
Related words

***** The Haiku Clubs of Nairobi


[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Patrick Wafula

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Patrick Wafula

Patrick Wafula helps establish the various haiku clubs in Nairobi.
Patrick Sensei, thank you !

BAHATI Haiku Club, Kenya
PEACOCK Haiku Club, Kenya
SPIDER Haiku Club, Kenya

ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo

Patrick Wafula's Bizzare Tales
"I love teaching children and writing stories for them. I also enjoy writing stories for the youth and adult. "

Read these fascinating tales online
http://bizzaretales.blogspot.com/


*****************************
HAIKU by Patrick Wafula

RONALD NGALA STREET, Nairobi



hooting matatus
dashing pedestrians
restlessness

March 2006

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bourgainvillea



flowers blossom again-
bougainvillea
blooms pink

Dedicated to Madame Gabi and Madam Isabelle

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Long Rain, April 2006



it is green all over-
farmers stoop on their farms
all morning


green fields
the green grasshopper
is back

Soweto stage market
women buy cabbages
vyondos are full

muddy shoes
muddy classrooms
students mop classrooms

muddy shoes
a queue at the shoeshine
muddy door mats

flooded Nairobi River
a drowned corpse
people mourn

muddy vehicles
queues at car wash
towing services busy

muddy roads
matatus are stuck
pensive faces

muddy shoes
muddy offices
cleaners stoop all day

green meadow
a hare eats grass leisurely
a browsing antelope

amarantus sprout again
women no longer buy veges
vegetable prices fall

flooded farms
soil erosion all over
a farmer builds gabbions

Makini School Bus stuck
pupils are late
worried faces

evening rain
rush hour in Nairobi
fare goes up

midday rain
she covers her head hair with juala
unhappy women

balmy morning
a robin leaps in the garden
dew on roses

frogs emerge-
termites flying
in the drizzle

Lake Victoria is flooded-
ngege is back
on our tables

...........................ngege: type of fish


the yellow butterfly-
hovering over
trees and flowers

farmers weed-
the wandering jew
sprouts again

rabits feed-
macdonald's eye
sprout again

farmers weed-
datura strumonium
sprouts again

cattle grow fat-
nappier grass grows
from the earth

flooded houses in Soweto-
a woman drains water
from her house

acacia leaves sprout-
students seat under
its shelter

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Soweto Stage Market, April 2006



at Soweto Stage Market-
women buy cabbages
vyondos are full

*vyondos* are kikuyu traditional baskest made of sisal and polythane papers.





at Soweto Stage Market-
Sowetans buy fresh tomatoes
to prepare lunch





mangoes are back-
hawkers push wheelbarrows
selling mangoes

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

World Cup haiku, June 2006

men without tv sets
go out to watch world cup---
lonely wives at home

tv sets are bought from
electronics shops at Luthuli--
smiling Asians

two form one boys fight
over Ronaldihno's photo
the cane cracks

world cup has done it---
Erick Okello is absent
from school today

two form two boys
quarrel over Thiery's photo
noise in class

on Luthuli street---
a man carries a new huge
television set

excited fans mill
in the electronics shops--
televisions are bought

Germany beats Sweden--
pandemonium in Stuttgart
and bottles on the streets

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


cold dawn
sleepy Soweto shrouded
in grey mist

March 2009


*****************************
Related words

***** Literature of Kenya


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Back to the Worldkigo Index


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

St Patrick’s Outing

[ . BACK to TOP . ]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Haiku Clubs’ Outing to St Patrick’s Church Kayole

***** Location: Nairobi, Kenya
***** Season: Hot dry season (3 April 2007)
***** Category: Humanity

*****************************
St Patrick’s Outing

Co-authored by Isabelle Prondzynski (in plain font) and Anthony Njoroge (in italics)
All photos © Isabelle Prondzynski unless otherwise mentioned.
More can be seen here in the album !


On 3 April 2007, the long awaited day for the Outing of the Haiku Clubs of Nairobi had arrived -- and a fine day it was, even while we were waiting for the rains to begin.

The venue was a surprise to many. We had been hoping to organise an excursion into a new venue in Nairobi City Centre, but technical problems had made this impossible. So, the community leaders of Tujisaidie Self-Help Project under the Urban Development Programme (UDP) of All Saints’ Cathedral had approached St Patrick’s Church in Kayole and requested the use of their tented hall for the day. The Haiku Club Patrons, who visited the venue on 31 March, found it to be excellent -- which indeed it proved to be on the big day.

The day is Tuesday, the 3 April. It is again another great day for the Kenya Haiku Clubs. It is a day that has been in every heart of the members. The new haijin in particular cannot hide their eagerness to be in their very first all club members' meeting and their very first ginkoo.

The first to arrive were the adults responsible for the day, who organised themselves, their papers and the hall, and then settled down to enjoy a chat and to wait.

There were Ms Louise Wambui Githire and Ms Kathleen Anangwe Warambo of the UDP, Ms Lucy Irungu of the UDP and Tujisaidie, and the Patrons, Patrick Wafula Sensei (Bamboochas and Co-ordinator), Madame Anne Nechesa and Madame Mercy (Peacocks), Mr David Kimani (Computer Teacher) and Mr Anthony Njoroge (responsible for haiku outreach to the wider community and Master of Ceremonies for the day).

The meeting was supposed to start at eleven. By that time few had made it to the venue.

eleven o’clock
anxious faces
long waiting

calm moments
gazing at the fence
prayerfully

Just some few minutes past time, the Butterflies came in, followed by the Peacocks and then the Baboochas.

brightened faces
Isabelle dashes
at last

shaking hands
smiling haijin
the crowd stranded

Butterflies
Peacocks Bamboochas
march in

Soon, the haijin had signed the list, and the hall had filled with chatting friends, glad to be together again. Anthony Njoroge (my co-author here and also the Master of Ceremonies for the day), greeted the haijin and the Patrons and visitors and encouraged the eager participants to begin the day well, by singing a few favourite choruses.


Singing choruses to start us off

Our host for the day, Revd Charles Kimani, joined us to welcome everyone and say a few words of encouragement to the students, which were very well received.

Then...

reverend
supplication
eyes closed

The Patrons one by one greeted the gathering, telling of the progress of the individual clubs.

speaking out
delighted hearts
reflecting

I reported on recent successes of Kenya Saijiki -- the publication of our haiga in haigaonline (December 2006), the success of the stars and night sky challenge, the contribution of our haiku to a planned book on peace related haiku, and the reading of one of our haiku on a radio show in Ireland :

corruption is daily --
you must pay cash
today

~ Christine Nyakado and Jacinta Minoo (Peacocks), 2006

The haijin were delighted to hear that we are now among the foremost haijin in Africa and able to participate as such in many haiku fora.


Computer certificates

Revd Charles Kimani had mentioned examinations... And indeed, our first agenda item was to applaud the students who had passed their final computer examinations after a year of study, both theoretical and practical, and to award certificates and prizes to them.

Mr David Kimani, the computer teacher, was greeted with cheers and applause.

The students who were presented with beautiful certificates and individual prizes, were the following :

1. Catherine Njeri Maina (Bamboocha)
2. David Caleb Mutua (Peacock)
3. Raymond Otieno (Bamboocha)
4. Walter Otieno (Bamboocha)
5. Gladys Kathini (Peacock)
6. Jacinta Minoo (Peacock)
7. Cyprian Awino (Bamboocha)
8. Gideon Gichamba Wangui (Peacock)
9. John Mwangi (Bamboocha)
10. Nyakado Christine (Peacock)
11. Khadija Rajab (Peacock)
12. Simon Magak (Bamboocha)
13. Dorine Atieno (Peacock)

applauses
certificates awarded
prizes in hardy

All 47 haijin who had completed the computer course were in addition presented with haiku notebooks and encouraged to make good use of their new skills!


The computer graduates with their certificates



Stars and Night Sky Challenge

The next item, eagerly awaited by all, was the announcement of the winners of the Stars and Night Sky Challenge, and the presentation of prizes for some spectacularly beautiful haiku. I was very proud that we are now able to assemble such a splendid collection!

winners announced
night stars goes on
end marked

The report on this Challenge, together with the photos of the happy prizewinners, both student and adult, can be found here :

stars-and-night-sky


Ms Louise Wambui Githire, the Co-ordinator of the Urban Development Programme of All Saints’ Cathedral, then brought bottled water for everyone, and smiles of relief could be seen all round the sun-heated tent.

dry lips
water cans provided
lighting faces

After a short discussion, the sun had passed the central point and the shadow was now moving west.

withered faces
empty stomachs
hard going

Anthony Njoroge reminded the students that it was still Lent, and that many Christians were fasting at this time. David Kimani’s remark, raising his water bottle : “You have now had your lunch!” brought the house down!

Fortunately, Louise had brought bread and milk in plenty, and soon, there was satisfied chatter all over the hall.

milk and bread
hunger defeated
life restored

As the Falcons and the Oaks had been prevented by exam schedules from participating in the outing, there was a glut of bread, milk and biscuits -- a glut that did not last for long!


April Ginkoo

It was soon back to activity -- the eagerly awaited ginkoo. As we had a large number of new Form One students with us, who were trying a ginkoo for the first time, the rules on this occasion were quite specific :

- the first word of each haiku is the month, i.e. April
- the second word is an important characteristic of the time, for instance :
~ sun
~ dust
~ clouds
~ wind
~ heat
- the second and third lines will contain an observation
- the students were asked to find a place and write all their haiku in that same place
- each student would write up to ten haiku
- each haiku would start with the same two words (April + ...)
- students would preferably write individually, not in groups
- haiku were not to be written about other haijin
- each would hand in the best two haiku, unsigned, but for the club name

The students then dispersed around the compound and soon, all were concentrating here and there, observing, and consulting the adults as they circulated among the students, offering words of advice and sharing in a smile or a laugh here and there.


Patrick Wafula sensei joining the students

The compound proved to be a good place. The natural beauty and the artistic make up provided a great setting for the ginkoo. After a short briefing on what was expected: -

moving out
pens and papers
nature focused

eyes opened
confined at a point
all in ones

april
under microscope
no escape

After handing in the ginkoo haiku, the judges took their time to evaluate and come out with the best of the best. The winners were announced in the midst of a jovial session.


The prize winners of the April Ginkoo

Alan Summers, our Stars and Night Sky judge, gave us great pleasure by adding his comments (see below each haiku).


HAIKU

1.
---
April sun --
dry clothes swing and swing
on the line

~ David Caleb Mutua (Peacock)

A haiku full of movement and capturing the breeze without even needing to mention it by name.

2.
---
April wind --
girl's long hair
blowing upwards

~ Anne Wairimu (Bamboocha)

Lovely, I can imagine it in my mind straightaway!

3.
---
April sun
slowly vanishing --
a thick cloud taking over

~ Paul Wandera (Bamboocha)

Captures the changes in the sky wonderfully!

4.
---
April wind --
the leaves dancing
to beats of Eshikuti

* Eshikuti is one type of Luhya traditional music

~ Esther Keyombe (Peacock)

Fantastic blend of breeze and musical beats!

5.
---
April sun --
a cock and hen resting
under a hedge

~ Catherine Njeri Maina (Bamboocha)

A very beautiful haiku, full of plain language, and making it universal.

6.
---
April dust --
handkerchief covered with mucus
cursing the month

~ Dorine Atieno (Peacock)

A very good haiku capturing part of a season, and not afraid to include 'mucus'. The great poet Shiki would have appreciated this haiku!

7.
---
April sun --
the brown grass leaves
crunching under my feet

~ Vivian Adhiambo (Bamboocha)

Excellent, a haiku full of sound and texture!

8.
---
April wind --
sand whirls spirally
papers go up

~ Cyprian Awino (Bamboocha)

We have all shared the nightmare of papers being blown about by the wind, thank you for the universal image.

9.
---
April wind --
itinerant traders
with dust on their goods

~ Teresiah Wanjiku (Bamboocha)

Wonderfully evocative! It just goes to show that there is no need for lots of complicated words to evoke a strong image.

10.
----
April sun --
the sound of dry grass
under my feet

~ Jane Njeri (Bamboocha)

Both Vivian and Jane's haiku remind me of a favourite one of mine, which the BBC liked so much they filmed me making a live version!

11.
----
April sun --
sweat running down my
dusty face

~ Sarah Adero (Bamboocha)

Very imagistic. I can also feel the heat, and sensation of the heat.

12.
----
April dust --
ants struggling to scuttle
through the dusty sand

~ John Mwangi (Bamboocha)

I love your alliteration with "struggling" and "scuttle" and "sand"! This is very difficult to do and make a successful haiku and you have done it, well done!

13.
----
April sun --
a car under a shade
for cool seats

~ Gideon Gichamba (Peacock)

Simple yet very provative, and it brings back hundreds of memories. A very good haiku!


The UDP car with Kathleen, Louise and Lucy
Photo © David Kimani Mwangi


14.
----
April wind
gives a must-dance to
the trees

~ George Ombima (Peacock)

Very original, and quite brilliant, well done!!!

15.
----
April wind --
cloths flapping on
the hangline

~ Caren Cheptoo (Bamboocha)

I like your use of a different word other than clothesline. Your choice of 'hangline' also gives extra layers of meaning. Another excellent haiku.


The jury then read out the haiku and the authors came forward to huge applause, to collect their prizes. Special congratulations went to brand new haijin Esther Keyombe (no. 5 prizewinner), whose first ever haiku had done so well!


Thanks and prayer

I congratulated all on a wonderful day spent together, and indicated that our next meeting would take place in August -- something for all of us to look forweard to! Meanwhile, a new challenge was set -- haiku about animals, to be written between now and then, with prize winners to be selected in time for that event.

After a word of prayer and vote of thanks all left at their own pleasure.

come come
longing for you
oh august


Sweet memories of all those observations!
Photo © David Kimani Mwangi



*****************************
Related words

***** Stars and Night Sky Challenge

***** The Haiku Clubs of Nairobi

***** Meeting of the Haiku Clubs in Tujisaidie, 4 November 2006

***** Bahati Ginkoo, 27 May 2006


*****************************
THE KENYA SAIJIKI
Please send your contributions to
Gabi Greve / Isabelle Prondzynski
worldkigo .....

Back to the Worldkigo Index