The curtains billow with the morning breezes; the same breezes created by the rising sun. These Kenyan textiles have been hung to cover the wrought iron windows and uniform muntins. Black welded metal, perhaps otherwise cold and unyielding, are made soft by the alabaster walls and interior screens which allow a myriad of sounds to enter the home.
The timbre of birds reestablish their position and territories after a dark night. Birds unfamiliar to my ears are yet comforting and wonderful in their consistency and patterned chirps, trills, and coos. So many different species; unique in size, plumage, and shape. Their feather coloration is not unlike the brightly colored cloth of the window drapes - still pulsating from the cool air as sails that hang from the mast of a ship. The coolness, a contradiction to what one often thinks regarding the bush of Africa.
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| White Bellied Go-Away-Bird |
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| D'Arnaud's Barbet |
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| Von der Decken's Hornbill |
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| Red And Yellow Barbet |
Those bright colors of the flowing shuka tapestry are patterned, striped, and checkered with vibrant, vivid colors so traditional of the Maasai. A tradition fashioned in pride and bound by community. The colors speak for themselves when used as a shawl, sash, or body covering of some sort. Colors become the voice. And so as curtains, the cloth is perfect; flowing movement with a deep, rich meaning that provides shade as well as loving hospitality.
Goats head out to browse on what they can find. Their bleating and baaing mingle with the clanging of bells tied to collars buckled around a couple of the does. Bells allow the herder to locate them in the thick, thorny brush. Protection comes through proximity and strength in numbers. The Kijani herd is now at 36 plus some baby kids only a couple of days old. The donkeys used to pull carts, and deliver fresh water to those who are unable to come collect it themselves, bray loudly over and over like a necessary alarm clock you would rather not hear. They do not want to be left behind and only wish to join the goats on their foraging venture. Hens cluck amidst the crowing roosters to round out the morning ruckus - a soothing symphony for an early riser. And for the once upon a time farm boy, the chorus of domestic animal sounds sifting through the mesh screens of the open windows are themselves a pleasant wake-up call.
As the sun rises in the east, or sets in the west, the light shines through the windows. To keep it cool, the curtains are often drawn, allowing the cement floor to comfort one's feet. Here in Southern Kenya, so near the equator, daylight and nighttime are split 50/50 almost year ‘round. The sunrise and sunset settles in around 6:30 AM and PM - each receiving their allotted 12 hour cycle. Dusk and dawn barely exist once the sun dips or rises over the distant mountains on the horizon. Through the windows we passively mark time.
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| Sunrise |
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| Sunset |
The windows work inversely as well; sending sounds to the outdoors. Depending on whether the sun’s rays fall directly on the roof or are shielded by clouds, the solar powered inverter in the corner closet speeds up or slows down accordingly. Although white noise, you can hear it in the background. Grandson plays on his mat in the corner; now reaching his hands to grab at the suspended mobile; presently favoring his left as a southpaw. His coos and screeching sounds of glee mix with occasional cries; communications of desire, sleepiness, and contentment. Farm workers passing by smile knowingly at his declarations, while superb starlings tilt their head slightly in wonder. All the while the curtains billow.
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| Superb Starling |
At night, not as far off into the distance as one might think or hope, comes the drawn out whoop of a hyena - often followed by barking dogs from a neighboring boma; ever alert and on guard. It’s an otherwise gentle reminder of just where we lie our heads to sleep. Squeaking bats, in constant audible communication, catch insects on the wing as they fly with erratic precision. Sporadic gusts catch the open windows and shake them so the metal clanks and rattles. It is a by-product of the present dry season, as eventually those same winds will usher in Kenya’s second season with rain.
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| Moonlight Through The Muntins |
But for now the curtains billow with the morning breezes; the same breezes created by the rising sun. These Kenyan textiles have been hung to cover the wrought iron windows and uniform muntins. Black welded metal, perhaps otherwise cold and unyielding, are made soft by the alabaster walls and interior screens which allow a myriad of sounds to enter the home.
See you along The Way…
