Palm Sunday

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Palm Sunday and Lent

***** Location: Worldwide in Christian communities
***** Season: Spring (Northern Hemisphere),
. . . . . . . . . . . long rains (East Africa)
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

Palm Sunday is the remembrance of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, and is celebrated by Christians worldwide on the Sunday before Easter. It is thus the last Sunday in Lent.

Palm Sunday is the joyful start of Holy Week, the week leading up to Christ’s passion and death on Good Friday. The joy of Palm Sunday quickly turns into betrayal, suffering and death. So, the celebration of Palm Sunday has a bitter-sweet flavour -- the same crowds who received Jesus so joyfully in Jerusalem that day, turned against him in violence within only a few hours.

Palm Sunday celebrations include the reading of the Gospel story, which recounts the entry into Jerusalem of Jesus Christ, riding on a donkey, and of the jubilant population, spreading palm fronds at his feet. In many European countries, there is a distribution to the congregation of palm crosses to take home -- these same palm crosses are burnt the following Ash Wednesday, to produce the ashes for the ashen crosses.

In Ethiopia, palm leaves are used to braid elaborate palm crosses for the faithful. In Kenya, Palm Sundays include processions with palm fronds, led by the church choirs, singing Palm Sunday hymns.


Palm Sunday procession at All Saints’ Cathedral, Nairobi, 1 April 2007

Text and photo : © Isabelle Prondzynski

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The difficulty of procuring palms for that day's ceremonies in unfavorable climates for palms led to the substitution of boughs of yew, willow or other native trees. The Sunday was often designated by the names of these trees, as Yew Sunday or by the general term Branch Sunday.

This, and much more information about Palm Sunday, here :


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Sunday

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Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Matthew 21 : 1 - 11

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

‘Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd* spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’
http://bible.oremus.org/

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Palm Sunday hymn

Ride on, ride on, in majesty!
Hark! all the tribes Hosanna cry;
O Saviour meek, pursue Thy road
With palms and scattered garments strowed.

Ride on, ride on, in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die!
O Christ! Thy triumph now begin
O’er captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on, ride on, in majesty!
The wingèd squadrons of the sky
Look down with sad and wondering eyes
To see the approaching sacrifice.

Ride on, ride on, in majesty!
Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh;
The Father, on His sapphire throne,
Expects His own anointed Son.

Ride on, ride on, in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain,
Then take, O God, Thy power, and reign.

Words: Henry H. Milman, 1820
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/r/i/rideride.htm

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Palm Sunday procession at All Saints’ Cathedral, Nairobi, 1 April 2007
Photo © Isabelle Prondzynski

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Worldwide use


Palm Sunday - Palmsonntag


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Things found on the way


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HAIKU

boarding the bus
with a palm cross --
Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday --
prayers and birdsong
mix and blend

© Isabelle Prondzynski (1 April 2007)

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Patrick Wafula on Palm Sunday 2011

A very unusual phenomenon has come up in Kayole on this Palm Sunday morning. I happened to walk across Soweto/Kayole this morning and was amazed by a totally new phenomenon: hawkers upon hawkers pushing wheelbarrows, carrying sackfuls or armfuls of fresh palm fronds for sale in the viscinity of or around the Church gates; the culmination of all these activities was Saba Saba Street in Kayole. One handful of fresh, blessed palm leaves, they said, was Kshs 10/-



Palm Sunday--
hawkers pushing wheelbarrow
full of palm leaves

Saba Saba street--
fresh palm leaves in hand, youth
stroll to church

on both sides, hawkers
selling fresh palm leaves--
Kanisani Gate

a lady-hawker
shouts twenty bob per handfull--
PCEA Church gate


This will enable us to know and understand why people in Nairobi are buying Palm leaves, from the Biblical point of vew's importance of palm leaves:
source : Palm Sunday / Wikipeida


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church gate--
he sorts out palm leaves
from grass

busy Sunday--
hawkers selling
high grade palms

Soweto road--
he adorns his car
with palms

road junction--
bodabodas decorated
with palms

Brian Mulando, 2011


Bodaboda are bicycles which are used to transport people from place to place.


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Today, Palm Sunday.
Then Good Friday five days hence.
Easter but a dream.

~ Lionel E. Deimel
http://deimel.org/poetry/church_year.htm

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Palm Sunday
a scattering of hailstones
in the wheelbarrow

~ Paul Conneally (United Kingdom)
http://www.asahi.com/english/haiku/060424.html


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. Lent / Palm Sunday / Easter 2011 　

two men lead
the crowd with a cross-
Kangundo road

~ yamame


Holy Thursday-
the priest wipes men's
dusty feet

~ Catherine Njeri Maina


flag post--
a picture of a shiny
Easter egg

~ Synaidah Kalahi


a priest walks
through the crowd--
Easter mass

~ Scholastica Mumbe


a dog dives for
the thrown goat skull--
Easter feast

~ Brian ETOLE


Easter feast--
delicious aroma of
roasted goat meat

~ BRIAN MULANDO


on the road--
he struggles with a cross
on his back

~ Jacklyne Anyoso


Palm Sunday--
she covers her head with
a palm leaf

~ Violet Wangira


Easter rush--
her new shoes squeak
as she runs

~ Elijah Juma


hosanna hosanna-
a young boy shouts as
he follows a multitude

~ Boniface Bonnke


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Palm Sunday / Easter 2012 　

Palm Sunday -
an early sound of
the church bell

fresh palm fronds
hung at the entrance -
matatu ride

in the mirror-
a drunk man waves
a palm frond

Andrew Otinga

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Related words

***** Ash Wednesday

***** Lent

***** Easter


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Ramadan in Kenya

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Ramadan in Kenya

***** Location: Kenya
***** Season: Varies from year to year (Muslim calendar)
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

Kenya’s Muslim population is distributed unevenly throughout the country and is by far the most numerous in Mombasa and along the Indian Ocean coast. In Nairobi, Muslims constitute some 10 percent of the population, many of whom (particularly those with Somali roots) are concentrated in Eastleigh, while others (with roots in Pakistan) live in Pangani and others again are scattered throughout the city.

The introduction following below was drafted and compiled by the Peacocks Haiku Club of St Mathew Secondary School, Kayole (Nairobi), and was orally presented as a haibun on 3 November 2006. It has been only slightly edited by me for this kigo page.

A big THANK YOU to the Peacocks!

Isabelle Prondzynski



Photo by Patrick Wafula, 2006

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What is Ramadhan?
It is the holy month in which Muslims worldwide fast for normally thirty days. The days of fasting start and end with the sighting of the crescent moon by the Imams.

The action of fasting is called saumu. Muslims wish each other saumu makbol, happy feasting, or successful fasting.

saumu makbol --
muslims in white robes
whisper to each other
Ann Nechesa

Expectations during the month of Ramadhan

Muslims are supposed to fast from dawn to dusk. They are not to take anything, not even by swallowing excess saliva :

men and women
with dry lips and full of silence --
scent of delicious meals
Husseini Haji

However, there is a group exempted from the fast and allowed to eat. This includes those seriously sick, women having their monthly periods, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and babies.

smell of garlic
pregnant sister throws up --
her face is wrinkled
Loise Wangechi

Muslims try not to engage in any sinful activities whatsoever.

They do much praying as they believe that Ramadhan is the month of seeking forgiveness.

allah akbar --
sound the horn speakers,
dawn and noon prayers
Jelidah Kerubo

The time they start fasting each morning is called Suhur and the time they stop fasting each evening is called Iftar. These times depend on sunrise and sunset in the relevant place and are given each day in the Press and on television following the news bulletins. Even within Kenya, each location has its own Ramadhan timetable.

wake up! wake up!
it is time for daku
mum calls at night
Khadija Rajab

(daku is a meal served at 4.00 am -- it is a heavy meal)



Married couples are not supposed to indulge in sexual activities during the day, as the act is considered sinful.

Ramadhan in Kayole and Soweto

During Ramadhan, the Peacocks observe the following things in their own environment :

(1) Markets are full
This is caused by the Muslims who go shopping for their foodstuffs to cook at night.

all day fasting --
shopping in the evening,
food aromas at night
Alex Murage

(2) Prices of foodstuffs increase
Sellers increase their prices due to the increase in customers (Muslims).

having meals together
and being kind to all people --
it is Ramadhan again
Husseini Haji

(3) Much spitting of saliva
As Muslims are not allowed to swallow the excess saliva, they have to spit it out.

(4) Shying away from work
Although during Ramadhan Muslims are expected to work, some shy away from work and remain passive through the day.

(5) Multitudes visit the Mosque
The number of Muslims visiting the Mosque tends to rise abruptly.

allah akbar --
sound the horn speakers,
dawn and noon prayers
Jelidah Kerubo

The Mosque programme changes as follows :

5.00 am Fajir (two rakaats)
1.00 pm Dhuhur (four rakaats)
4.00 pm Asir (four rakaats)
6.00 pm Magharib (three rakaats)
8.00 pm Isha (four rakaats)

Rakaats : These are the number of times that the worshipper bows down. The rakaats are compulsory and the above are the minimum times per visit.

Taraweh : This is the longest prayer, prayed at 8.00 pm during Ramadhan only and comprising of 21 rakaats. It is not compulsory.

Tahajud : This is a prayer consisting of 8 rakaats, of which one rakaat can take twenty minutes. Prayed only during Ramadhan.

bending in mosques
obeying rules of fasting --
it is Al-Ramadhan again
Beth Mwangi

(6) Men, women and children shine
During the holy month, men put on kanzus (white gowns), women put on buibuis (black wrappers) and diras, and children also are kept smart looking.

men in robes and turbans
whispering to each other --
evening shopping
Beth Mwangi

(7) Distribution of food to the less fortunate
Muslims visit rehabilitation centres and homes of destitute children and donate things like foodstuffs, clothes, stationery and many other things during the month of Ramadhan.

women in black wrappers
serving street kids with food --
Ramadhan karim
Peris Wanjiru


These are some of the observations, there are many other minor ones.

How does the holy month end?

Idd-ul-Fittr is the next day after the last day of fasting. Fasting ends when the new moon is sighted anywhere in the world. Once it has been seen, the Imams (Muslim leaders) communicate and announce the end of fasting.

Ramadhan is gone
it’s time for feast after fasting --
the new moon appears
Winnie Wairimu

First, Muslims go to the Mosque and sing Idd-ul-Takbir. Idd-ul-Takbir is sung to mark the end of fasting and the beginning of celebrations. Idd-ul-Fittr is celebrated in many ways, including cooking in the Mosques (pilau -- cooked rice with added ingredients and spices), going out to visit, and sharing with less fortunate families to make sure that everyone has celebrated.

Idd-ul-Fittr is a public holiday in Kenya and has its own kigo entry.


http://www.eastandard.net/images/wednesday/hmpg241006.jpg
Pic by Jacob Otieno
Master Mohammed Yunus (right) and his brother look up as their father and other Muslim faithful pray to mark the end of Ramadhan at Sir Ali Muslim Grounds in Nairobi, yesterday.

Ramadhan may be followed by Sitah, which is the prolonged fasting for six days following Ramadhan. It is not compulsory, but one day of Sitah represents 100 days of fasting.


Why the Peacocks consider that Ramadhan is a season

Ramadhan is celebrated annually and is a holy month. Also, Ramadhan is an activity and takes a long time (30 days). Even though some of us are not Muslims, Ramadhan affects all of us in one way or another and we feel it should not be ignored.

David Caleb Mutua, Peacocks’ Chairman,
St Mathew Secondary School, Form 3.


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Another view from Kayole

I feel a lot of respect for the Muslims in Ramadhan. In the first place, there is a mosque across from our residence and we hear more frequent Allah akbar Allah akbar than on normal days. The most notable aspect of it are the numerous pairs of shoes at the doorstep of the mosque at noon, and of course the very new humble and kind attitude of the Muslims...
To me the most notable thing about the Ramadhan is the 5am prayer alert which makes me wake with a start and remain sleepless till day break. This kind of Allah akbar is so shrill since dawn is very still and sound travels low at night...

numerous pairs of shoes
at the mosque door steps-
Ramadan prayers

Patrick Wafula (Patron Bamboochas)

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More information here :
http://www.iqra.net/articles/Ramadhan/ramadhan1.htm


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Worldwide use

Ramadan and Haiku Worldwide

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Things found on the way


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HAIKU

Peacocks

Ramadhan time --
very obedient and humble
muslims all over the country

Anges Adhiambo


muslims walk around
full of Oriental aromas --
noon prayers

Beth Mwangi


Allahu akbar
at crack of dawn in Mosques --
God is really great

Jacinta Minoo

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Bamboochas

in front of Rashid
is a cross-legged Salim-
Qurans in hand

the Muslim community
congregate in Mosques-
Ramadhan is here again

late evening,
outside Soweto Mosque-
delicious pilau

suhur and iftar-
Ramadhan timetable
is here again

busy helping
the poor and needy-
mission for all Muslims

~ Catherine Njeri


fatigued faces
ready to fill hungry stomachs
and thirsty throats

~ Depporah Mocheche


it's Ramadhan again-
Muslims clad in white robs,
fasting all day long

no food all day long-
the ninth month of their year,
fasting and praying

Nairobi streets,
flowing with Muslims
going to Mosque to pray

~ Cyprian Awino


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August moon-
the first fajr adhan
in to Ramadhan

FAJR- one of the prayers of Muslims which is done early in the morning
ADHAN- a call for Muslims to pray

Hussein Haji

. . . . .

endless yawning
with strong saum-
Ramadhan

SAUM- the act of fasting during the month of Ramadhan


adhan-
Muslims rushing to the mosque
swallah time

SWALLAH- Muslims prayer (another word to mean prayer)

Khadijah Rajab


MORE : Ramadan Haiku 2010


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From the Shiki Monthly Kukai August 2010


Ramadan -
she washes her feet under
August moonlight

~ Bamboocha


young August moon -
the Ramadan timetable
in the dailies

~ Patrick Wafula

. Kenya Saijiki Forum


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Related words

***** Ramadan
..... Ramazan, Berat Kandil Turkey 　 Leylatul Berat, Laylatul Barat
..... Ramadan ends (Idd ul Fitr) Kenya


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Ramadan and religious kigo
Discussion about this subject


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St Patrick’s Outing

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Haiku Clubs’ Outing to St Patrick’s Church Kayole

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

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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



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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

OAKS Haiku Club

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The Oaks !

Our group is from Embakasi High School in Kayole, Nairobi.
We are about one kilometre North of Bahati.

We were introduced to Haiku by Patrick Sensei of Bahati Haiku Poetry club and his team of great haiku enthusiasts, the famous Bamboochas.

Haiku is unlike any other form of poetry we have ever known; it has opened our eyes and senses to a world we had hitherto not known: the world of nature and its wonderful seasons.

Even here in Nairobi, in the hustle and bustle, haiku has taught us to pause and observe, and what great sights we have discovered! Our greatest inspiration was the ginkoo on May 27 this year and our greatest experience was meeting The Moderator, Miss Isabelle.
We now long to meet Miss Gabi Greve and the other poets...

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Haiku for the World Cup July 2006

Rebecca Mbithe

parents disagree
over what to watch on TV--
world cup interrupts

Brazil and England
could not reach the semis--
tears are shed

commitments postponed--
friends and families gather
to cheer their stars

everyone hurrying--
televisions out of stock
it is world cup


Geoffrey Wafula

prrrrrt!
France gets a penalty kick
Zidane scores

goooooal!
challenging defender--
Ronaldo scores


John Simala

overcrowded bars--
revellers sip as they cheer
it is world cup

fans throng stadia
to behold cheer and jeer--
world cup fever is here

the battle is on
for the covetted trophy--
the FIFA World Cup

students and workers
skive to watch the event live--
moral support

France and Itally
survive to the finals--
who expected that?

Africans return
tearful and empty-handed--
the title is still elusive

hope still thrives--
South Africa hosts
2010 World Cup


Soccer, Football, Fussball

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Our last World Cup haiku, July 13, 2006:

students play football--
calling themselves Ronaldo
and Ronaldinho
Patrick Wafula

pedestrians wear t-shirts
with Ronaldinho's photo
patriotism
Patrick Wafula

a Japanese boy
play well during finals--
England is defeated
Okwaro

Tony was a good player--
Del Piero scored the last penalty
Italy wins World Cup
Doreen

watching in expectation--
ball against the net
cheerful crowds
Nancy Olande

smiles on their faces
Germany for World Cup
Mexico waves along
Nancy Olande

thronged stadium
filled entertainment spots--
cheering fans.
Nancy Olande

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Meeting of the Haiku Clubs of Nairobi
November 2006


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Related words

***** Bahati Haiku Club, Nairobi


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Mud (matope)

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Mud (Swahili : matope)

***** Location: Kenya, other areas
***** Season:Long rains, short rains
***** Category: Earth

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Explanation

Kenya is a muddy country when it rains. The soil is heavy, and people get busy cultivating and planting seeds as soon as the rains look established. Working on the land is a very muddy job at such times of year! The mud is carried, on people’s shoes, into buses, matatus, churches, shops and offices. Coconut fibre doormats need to be shaken out as soon as the mud has dried overnight, ready for the next day’s deposits.

The major city roads are tarmacked, but as one ventures into the poorer areas at the outskirts of town, and into the rural areas, murram roads take over. These are rightly called mud roads at this time of year, as the floods wash out the mud from between the stones, and the edges (no longer footpaths!) are in any case a mix of mud and flood.

Nairobi has a great variety of mud. In Eastlands, including Kayole, on the way out to Ukambani, the black cotton soil turns into a black, heavy mud, so stodgy and clingy that most of the inhabitants prefer to walk in their bare feet, carrying shoes in plastic bags, ready to put on once they reach town. In Westlands and beyond, moving into Central Province, the red soil turns into a red, much finer sandy mud, which nevertheless clings heavily to one’s hoe or shoe. The city centre has beige soil, which is perhaps the least muddy, as most of it is covered in buildings, parks, streets and pavements!

As the rains fall heavily, over a short period, much of the soil, once turned into mud, is carried away by the rivers towards the sea, which runs brown at the river mouths.


http://corbinball.coronaware.com/assets/eventphotos/art-ke26.jpg

Kenya loses much fertile ground each year as a result. The colonialists tried to limit rainwater erosion by means of terracing; in parts of the country, e.g. Ukambani, this has been moderately effective.

In the rural areas, the rainy season is also the season when mud is used to build or repair traditional mud and wattle houses. While house building is mostly men’s work, house repair is women’s work, and may take up to several days during the rains.

At the end of the rainy season, the mud gradually dries out. For a while, it remains in the shape it took, often resembling bizarre sculptures -- then, with time, it is eroded away and flattened by human, animal and vehicular traffic.

Isabelle Prondzynski

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. MORE PHOTOS
by Caleb David Mutua 　





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Elephants wallowing in mud -- their colour always reflects the colour of the mud of their habitat!

Look at a great photo here
http://www.pbase.com/flemmingbo/image/55500343

© Flemming Bo Jensen

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Two of the many types of mud-built houses in Kenya :


http://www.leavenworthbaptist.com/images/Missions/KenyaTrip/DSC00321_640.jpg

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Africa/Kenya/photo276173.htm


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Worldwide use

Japan

The word mud (doro) just like that is a topic for haiku.


spring mud, haru no doro 春の泥
..... shundei 春泥
kigo for all spring

A phenomen when the snow melts. Mud is usually something one tries to avoid, but in spring it expresses the joy of the long winter now being over soon.


お上人の足袋の春泥ご開帳
o shoonin no tabi no shundei go-kaichoo

spring mud
on the socks of the priest -
showing the secret statue
(Tr. Gabi Greve)

Seiji せいじ
http://www.hb-arts.co.jp/haiku_html/030510kekka.htm

Quoted from
Secret Buddha Statues
by Gabi Greve






秋しぐれ泥人形と生まれて泥
aki shigure doro ningyoo ni umarete doro

sleet in autumn -
born as a mud doll
this mud

source : Keiji Minato. Sep. 2008
Tr. Gabi Greve

Other translation versions are possible.
reference


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Trinidad and Tobago
Kigo for Dry Season ... Feb/March; Spring.

In Trinidad and Tobago, a great part of the fun on the first day of the two-day carnival masquerade, is playing mud mas. Mud mas is a must at Jouvert,( the opening hours, on the first day of Carnival).


www.tntisland.com/images/c2k5-06.jpg

mud smeared bodies
welcome the dawn
jouvert

related words: carnival; jouvert; ole mas; masquerade; street festivals.

Gillena Cox

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Things found on the way


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HAIKU

home at last --
heart runs in greeting
while feet drag in mud

~ Isabelle Prondzynski

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Haiku from the August 2006 Shiki Kukai :
http://www.haikuworld.org/kukai/current.html

monsoon …
rising from the mud
a buffalo's horns

~ Ella Wagemakers


rainy season –
a muddied welcome
on the doormat

~ max verhart


through mud roads
a jostling bus ride --
smell of sweat

~ Kala Ramesh


ground-breaking
the politician poses
with a shovelful of mud

~ ed markowski


you call it a slum
because of faeces and mud
the big deal is life

James Omwimwa (Peacock Haiku Poetry Club, Kenya)


a student --
walking down a Soweto Street
his shoes squelching in mud

Caleb Mutua (Peacock Haiku Poetry Club, Kenya)

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Soweto streets --
my feet slide
in mud

~ John Mutahi (Falcon Haiku Poetry Club, Kenya) and Chibi

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muddy Soweto Road--
the crater left by a lorry's
large wheels

zebra crossing--
uneven footprints of mud
on the white strips

Caleb Mutua
December 2010


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February 2011

. Mud Haiku .
Sibiko Yamame


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leaning eucalyptus--
he cleans his muddy shoe
with a branch

heavy downpour--
a termite sticks on
the muddy floor

water puddles--
I am the fifth on the line
to the stepping stones

muddy path--
I squat to empty my bicycle's
mudguard

James Bundi

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sunset —
a farmer scraps mud
from his hoe

Victor Obutho

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raising mud
to the pond's surface
a spring toad

--Shoji Sugisaka (Yokohama)
http://www.asahi.com/english/haiku/060320.html

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どろ人形にはお父さんもお母さんもいない 僕が育ててあげよう



This mud doll
Has no dad or mom
So I'll raise it .

Sheng Tao age 10, male SHANGHAI (上海)
http://www.jal-foundation.or.jp/html/haiku/sakuhinY/e1998sakuhinY.htm

Mud dolls or clay dolls, as they are called in Japan, have their own space provided in the
Daruma Doll Museum by Gabi Greve　 　　　

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Bahati street--
a little boy on fours
drives mud oxen

Patrick Wafula
November 2012


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Related words


***** Brickmaking
non-seasonal haiku topic

Patrick Wafula went to see the brick works in Githurai on the Thika Road outside Nairobi :

busy hands firmly
kneading mud, preparing bricks--
black smoke from the kiln

Patrick Wafula, Kenya
http://www.haikuworld.org/kukai/current.html

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***** Dry mud
beginning of dry season

rain has ended
footprints remain dry on the paths
kids stumble and fall

梅雨明けや　足跡残り　　子は倒る
tsuyu ake ya / ashiato nokori / ko wa taoru
(Translation : Sakuo Nakamura)

~Raymond Otieno 　 　　　


© Photo Isabelle Prondzynski


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dusty ride
along a murram road---
Murang'a town

Catherine Njeri Maina


murram is a mix of stones and soil used for road building. There are still many rural murram roads in Kenya. They are reasonably stable but are nevertheless muddy during the rains and dusty during the dry seasons. They are also not very level, so vehicles have to drive slowly on them.
Isabelle Prondzynski


MORE
- Catherine in Murang'a


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***** Bukusu Initiation (Circumcision)
cool dry season

Bukusu circumcision usually takes place in August of every even year. Mud is used for three purposes : 1) to prevent excessive bleeding after the cut, 2) to prevent the candidate from blinking or wincing, and 3) to commemorate what Mango (the hero who originated the rite) did in order to kill the monstrous serpent that had for a long time terrorized Bukusu people and their livestock -- he anointed his whole body with mud to rid his body of the human odour; in this way, he approached and killed the serpent without it detecting his presence.
You see the same tactic being used in "The Predator" by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

a young Bukusu
circumcisee smeared with mud --
circumcision rite

Text and haiku : Patrick Wafula, 2006

Bukusu Culture, Babukusu People Kenya Saijiki



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Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro

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Mount Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro

***** Location: Kenya
***** Season: Non-seasonal Topic
***** Category: Earth

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

There is snow in Kenya too -- on Mount Kenya, we even have permanent glaciers, though unfortunately they are starting to melt now. As Mount Kenya is right beside the Equator, this is due to its great height (approx. 5,200 m -- Mount Fuji is approx. 3,800 m high).

Here are some web sites and pictures :

http://www.mountkenya.org/index.html

http://www.mountkenya.org/mtkenya.htm

http://www.kilimanjaro.com/kenya/mtkenya.htm

http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=800


And just across the border, in Tanzania and looking far into Kenya, is
Mount Kilimanjaro :

http://www.mountkenya.org/mtkilimanjaro.htm


Very few Kenyans have climbed either of these two mountains. But most view them with reverence. Mount Kenya is said to be the place where God (Ngai) resides. It can be seen very far away (for instance, from Kayole). There are days when it is possible to see both Mounts Kenya and Kilimanjaro from Wilson Airport, the domestic airport of Nairobi.

Most of the time, however, Mount Kenya, just like Mount Fuji, veils itself in clouds, and only the huge foot may be seen by those who know where to look for it.

Isabelle Prondzynski

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http://www.africaclimbing.com/mount-kenya-climbing/

Click HERE to see more photos of Mount Kenya !




Click HERE to see photos of Mount Kilimanjaro !

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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way


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HAIKU




I have been privileged to visit the Land of Mt. Kilimanjaro again; and this time round I had my camera with me and took a photo of
Mt. Kilimanjaro’s highest Peak: Kibo.

noon sun —
Kibo still sitting
in white snow

Patrick Wafula



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Related words

The volcanic Mount Meru is shadowed by his big and famous neighbour Kilimanjaro.

***** . Arusha (Tanzania) .


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Meeting November 2006

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Meeting of the Haiku Clubs of Nairobi
November 2006

Objective

The four Haiku Clubs of the Kayole secondary schools had their second big meeting on Saturday, 4 November 2006. At the invitation of the local community’s Tujisaidie Self-Help Group, the meeting took place in the Community Centre, where the Tujisaidie Nursery School is also based.

The first meeting had been a festive gathering and ginkoo, with participation from invited guests, including the Japanese Cultural Centre. This second meeting was an internal affair, called above all to present the computer students with encouragement and small prizes, and also to have a discussion on haiku writing among ourselves.


Photo : Patrick Wafula

Background

During the previous week, I had visited the Bamboochas of Bahati Community Centre taking their computer classes. I had also been invited to the Peacocks of St Mathew Secondary School, to discuss their Ramadhan haiku with them and gather information for the Ramadhan kigo page. The next week would take me to the Falcons of Lorna Waddington High School. I had been received with a lot of cheer, welcome and enthusiasm in each of these schools, and was looking forward to meeting the haijin together once more.

Patrons’ meeting

The students, with great enthusiasm, arrived early at the Tujisaidie Community Centre. They were made very welcome by the youth of Tumaini African Foundation and were entertained with music and a mini-ginkoo while the Patrons held their own meeting.

Each of the schools was represented by the Haiku Club Patrons :

Bamboochas : Mr Patrick Wafula
..................Mr James Macharia
Falcons : Mr Ngugi
Peacocks : Ms Ann Nechesa
................ Ms Adelaide Amadade Luvandale
Oaks : Mr Jumah (Principal)
Computer teacher : Mr David Kimani
Haiku Committee of the community : Ms Lucy Irungu
.................................................... Mr Anthony Njoroge

The Patrons discussed a number of issues concerning them all, regarding computing, communications and haiku.

We looked together at how each school contributes to the Kenya Saijiki discussion forum, and how this in turn contributes to the Worldkigo Database. Haiku writing was leading to haiku discussion -- and to be able to discuss at international level, we need to communicate by e-mail and the internet. Hence, the link between haiku and computing. This led to a discussion of the computing budget necessary to make communication possible.

On haiku, we agreed that the two most important aspects to keep in mind when guiding the students during the coming months, were :

* the use of observation,
* the use of kigo (season words).

We also discussed giving feed-back to the students. Ideally, the students would send their haiku to Kenya Saijiki, receive feed-back, discuss this in their clubs and devote some effort to revising their haiku. In the same way, they should be open to giving feed-back by e-mail to others, so that we could have a discussion together and hone our poetry and our skills.

Haiku Clubs’ arrival

By the time the Patrons had finished their meeting, the students had happily arrived (some after difficulties finding the place -- they were eagerly welcomed), taken some snacks, enjoyed the company of their Tumaini hosts, danced to the music, and written some haiku. These haiku, here assembled, show the joyful and inspired spirit of the day :

all Falcons group
looking all round Soweto
oh... we are lost

haiku members
smiling at each other --
meeting up again

wow! two boys bringing
radios so that we can
dance on the floor

Tujisaidie Community --
full of haiku fans
enjoying music

Oscar is very
happy because of the
reggae music


Photo : Isabelle Prondzynski

haiku members
in a jovial mood as they
eat bread and sodas

welcoming focus
talking as they share jokes
ready to begin

everybody is happy
really to write best haiku --
how wonderful day is it?

Peacocks winning
all the top prizes --
haiku meeting

is this haiku?
why not?
syllables uncountable

this is the day
to share our feelings with mum
before going back

students listening
Madame Isabella speaking
everyone clapping

When the meeting was opened, we sang several choruses, praising God, who had brought us this far in our endeavours, and expressing our joy to be together again.

Computing meeting

The first part of the meeting was to recognise the effort the students had made in order to learn computing and encourage them to continue their studies for the final test early next year.

The top 7 computer students, who had passed all modules of their tests, were called forward by the teacher, David Kimani, and congratulated, with small prizes to choose from :

David Caleb Mutua (Peacock)
Omombo Christine (Peacock)
Nyakado Christine (Peacock)
Gideon Gichamba Wangui (Peacock)
Gladys Kathini (Peacock)
Catherine Njeri Maina (Bamboocha)

This brought the Peacocks a round of applause, as they had done exceptionally well. And while I was busy with the prizes, I did not even notice that we were being photographed by Patrick Sensei -- to whom many thanks!


Photo : Patrick Wafula

Another 17 computer students passed all but one of their modules and were called forward to collect their prizes :

Raymond Otieno (Bamboocha)
Anderson Mwendwa (Falcon)
Boniface Mutua (Falcon)
Ian Kamau (Falcon)
David Wandera (Bamboocha)
Rebecca Mbithe (Oak)
Khadija Rajab (Peacock)
Seline Onguto (Falcon)
Leonard Juma (Falcon
Otieno Walter (Bamboocha)
James Omwimwa (Peacock)
Stephen Kimanthi (Peacock)
Zaccheuas Ogoji (Peacock)
Jacinta Minoo (Peacock)
Ashraf Baraza (Falcon)
Agnes Adwambo (Peacock)
Patrick Gahuo (Falcon)

The computer classes will continue until the beginning of 2007 and will end with a final test, including a practical element. Best wishes to all the students -- and keep up the good work!

Haiku meeting

There followed an open discussion on very many aspects of haiku.

How many syllables, and how to count them?

Can one write about dreams?

How about newspaper or television reports?

What are the kigo of the current season?

Can one write about other seasons?

The importance of observation was emphasised -- concentrating on what is right there, and can be heard, seen, touched, smelled and tasted.

The importance of learning, and of receiving feed-back, was also pointed out. The students proposed that, from time to time, they would send in unsigned haiku, to request and receive feed-back. This was welcomed by everyone as a good idea.

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Photo : Isabelle Prondzynski

The day, which had started cool and overcast, had meanwhile became hot and sunny, and the time came to close the meeting and for everyone to walk home.

Many of us stayed for another while, to chat and exchange questions, answers and news, before starting on our way back.

Isabelle Prondzynski, November 2006

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A thank-you message to Kenya Saijiki in the evening

Dear Gabi, dear Patrons, dear teachers and haijin,

Thank you most sincerely for the wonderful meeting we had today. You gave generously of your time, and we had a great discussion and enjoyed being together.

Great thanks go to Lucy Irungu and Tujisaidie for the welcome they gave to us and for letting us use the community buildings, where we felt so much at home. Apart from the discussions, we enjoyed music and a light lunch as well as an unexpected mini-ginkoo!

It is hard to express how very much I appreciated the presence and the encouragement by the Haiku Patrons and teachers. I know you are very busy people, particularly at this time of exams, and it is not a given that you can take a whole afternoon out of your schools. Your commitment is wonderful, and the students appreciate it as much as I do! Please receive my gratitude and know that I shall do my utmost to co-operate with you to make the haiku venture a success for all.

You have given the students a wonderful chance! Looking at them today, listening to their eager questions, it is easy to forget that, a year ago, none of them had ever heard of haiku or practised computing and very few had had any contacts with their colleagues in the other schools. This has been a wonderful co-operative success, and the haijin have written so much that is beautiful, inspiring and touching. Dear haijin, if you continue to make progress at this pace, Kenya will soon become one of those countries known internationally to have excellent haiku!

Here are a few of the many haiku written during the day -- thank you, haijin, for the shower of haiku reflecting the day and the season.

my sister is back
with muddy shoes and socks --
my gumboots

Agnes Adhiambo (Peacock)


wet school uniforms
spend days on the line --
students miss school

David Caleb Mutua (Peacock)


children chasing
running everywhere in mud --
looking dirty

Anonymous


dark rain clouds
hanging below the sky --
people buy umbrellas

Paul Brown


raindrops cling on grass
catch the sunbeams sending
lights that dazzle eyes

Raymond Otieno (Bamboocha)


graphic and drawings
stuck on the wall --
hey! they are beautiful!

Anonymous (Falcon)

Greetings to you all, and profound thanks,

Isabelle.


Feed-back from the Director of WHC Worldkigo

Dear Friends from Kenya,
whow, this is such a good news indeed!
I forwarded it to all my haiku friends and I will start my day today with a big happy smile !

Thanks to all who help to spread the word of Haiku in Kenya. Dear old Basho and Issa will be pleased to receive this message in their haiku heaven !

With best wishes and may all your plans come true!
GABI


Feed-back from India and the USA

Gabi sensei, our Director in Japan, had sent my message to her haiku friends in other parts of the world, and some of them responded to send in congratulations.

This is from one of our great haijin friends in India, Kala Ramesh :

Truly what giant progress in such a short while!
It clearly underlines the effort and selfless love that you've shown
for promoting this art form.

My heartfelt wishes for a grand haiku future in Kenya!
Warmly,
kala


And this is from William Higginson (we have two of his books!) in the USA :

Quite a decent selection of first results for a new group of haiku recruits! I look forward to seeing more from these and other young Kenyans. Perhaps Dag Hammarskjold's favorite short-poem form will become as much of an ambassador for inter-human understanding as he himself was, or moreso.

I had to particularly smile at the rubber boots poem, watching my two grandsons and Penny's granddaughter and grandson at work and play. (I am an only child, so never had the pleasure (?) of my sibling borrowing my footwear.)

Some of these wouldn't look at all out of place in our magazines.

Congratulations to all involved, including you!

Well done!
Isabelle.

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Related words

BAHATI Haiku Club, Kenya
FALCON Haiku Club, Kenya
OAKS Haiku Club, Kenya
PEACOCK Haiku Club, Kenya
SPIDER Haiku Club, Kenya


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Maize, Green Maize

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Green Maize

***** Location: Kenya and neighbouring countries
***** Season: Cool dry season, hot dry season
***** Category: Plant

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Explanation

Maize harvested before it is quite ripe, while it is still fairly soft, is called Green Maize. This food is greatly enjoyed, as it is the first output of the staple grain during the season, and it can sometimes be the first harvested food after a period of hunger, even famine.

The maize cobs are sold in street markets, still covered by their inner leaves. They may also be sold freshly boiled or grilled, for immediate consumption on the spot.

Green maize is particularly appreciated for making soft mûkimû or gîtheri suitable for elderly people who may have lost some of their teeth. However, it is not suited for storage -- which means that the maize eaten for most of the year consists of the ripe grains, decobbed, sundried and stored in a safe place until needed.

The main page for maize, covering further maize related kigo in Kenya, may be found here :
Maize / Corn

Isabelle Prondzynski.

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Here is a delicious plate of gîtheri -- enjoy!


http://img1.travelblog.org/Photos/12529/67575/f/405255-githeri--my-favourite-food-0.jpg

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Worldwide use

The Kenyan Green Maize is equivalent to the yellow maize eaten as sweetcorn or corn on the cob in many other countries. The main difference is the maize variety -- Kenya maize being white rather than yellow, and therefore less sweet and more savoury in flavour.

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Things found on the way


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HAIKU

fresh grain of maize
on the dry Kayole street --
sharp eyes of the hen

~ Isabelle Prondzynski

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From Bahati Haiku Poetry Club (The Bamboochas) :

a swarm of houseflies
on cobs and leftovers--
green maize

~ David Wandera

蝿の群れ 青唐黍の 屑の上
hae no mure ao tookibi no kuzu no ue
Translation by Nakamura Sakuo


boiled maize --
jaws move up and down
chewing hard

~ Depporah Mocheche


a man
with his customer by his side
roasting maize

~ Walter Ochola


Green maize roaster, January 2005
Photo : Isabelle Prondzynski


at Soweto Market--
men unloading maize
from a blue lorry

~ Raymond Otieno

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at the fireside --
happy kids telling stories
as they roast maize

~ Kevin Safari

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early morning
kids chase weaverbirds
from their green maize

~ Patrick Wafula

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From Falcons Haiku Poetry Club (Lorna Waddington) :

maize in the garden
standing still on the farm
Kadima enjoys the taste

~ Susan


elephants enjoying
the villagers chasing them
beating drums

~ Simon


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warm steam from
the boiled maize sufuria--
evening showers

Hussein Haji


Sufuria cooking pot


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Related words

***** Maize / Corn as a kigo


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