Coast & Culture – Page 3 – Strokes of My Pen

Coast & Culture

NAKUIDHI YA BUNEYA

By Lubnah Abdulhalim January 23, 2017

Picha: http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/a-father-and-sons-hands-min-suh.jpg

Mwandishi: Sultan Karama Maji Male (kero)

Bismillahi jaliya, muumba wa binadamu,
Kwako wewe nalekeya, naanza kutakalamu,
mwanangu namuusiya, ya dini kuyafahamu,
Nakuidhi ya buneyya, wasia ulo muhimu.

Si shiriki ya buneyya, nafusi kujidhumu,
Hana kuffu na sawiya, ni yeye pweke karimu,
Muumba wa samawiya, bila umudi kukimu,
Nakuidhi ya buneyya, wasia ulo muhimu.

Wazazi kuwatendeya, hisani yenye kudumu,
Kwa kina kuzingatiya, tumboni kwa wako ummu,
Kwa wahani aliliya, kubeba lako jukumu,
Nakuidhi ya buneyya, wasia ulo muhimu.

Kwa juhudi zisikiya, zao wazazi hukumu,
Illa zikikosa ndiya, na kukhalifu ilimu,
Ruhusa nakupatiya, kufwata hakulazimu,
Nakuidhi ya buneyya, wasia ulo muhimu.

Jema ukijifanyiya, la khardali fahamu,
na ovu kulipapiya, la haba au timamu,
Mola atakuleteya, siku hiyo ya qiyamu,
Nakuidhi ya buneyya, wasia ulo muhimu.

Yalo mema hadithiya, na sala zako zikimu,
Misiba kuvumuliya, maovu kuyashutumu,
Mambo yote azimiya, muelekee rahimu,
Nakuidhi ya buneyya, wasia ulo muhimu.

Jauri kujisikiya, usifanye kwa kaumu,
Na mwendo ukitembeya, maringo yasitakimu,
Mola anawachukiya, fakhuri wenye hujumu,
Nakuidhi ya buneyya, wasia ulo muhimu.

La mwisho nakuambiya, sauti yako khadhimu,
Ni ya nikari twabiya, himari yake isimu,
Hifadhi nalo kwambiya, usije kunilaumu,
Nakuidhi ya buneyya, wasia ulo muhimu.

Coast & Culture

EXORCISM; THE MOMBASA VERSION

By Lubnah Abdulhalim January 6, 2017

Photo Courtesy: http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Poltergeist-Exorcism.jpg

Warning: This article is not for the faint hearts.

When I was in Uni, one of my friends who had come to Mombasa for the first time to study, confessed to me about something. He told me of how he was warned of the Mombasa ladies. That sometimes you may be lured by a very beautiful lady only to find out she is a jinn (genie) lol. Well, I couldn’t agree to the statement but neither could I deny it. I very well knew how the upcountry folks tend to be scared whenever they visit Mombasa for the first time. The stories spread and so does the stereotype.

See Mombasa is by the sea which makes it natural that jinns will be more attracted to this part of the town. They love oceans and seas and that is basically their home. Nonetheless, culture and traditions of the ancestors of this area was such that, while some wanted to be as far away from the whole jinn issue, some went to the far extents of hunting them down and using them for witchcraft and personal agendas. Some were just victims while some sought them. And one other fact about Jinns is that they can be inherited in the family which led to generations after generations being innocently possessed.

Now for the scared-chicken me, fate has made it for me such that I have witnessed exorcism more than 5 times. The first time was when I was around 11 to 12 years old in primary school when one of the Muslim girls suddenly got possessed. It was an exam day so you can imagine half the excitement of postponement of my exam at the same time, fear and sympathy for the girl. The school I was in was a Christian school so the Christian teachers together with the director took their bibles and off they started the prayers. The doors to the room were closed and so were the windows so we couldn’t see anything inside. For almost one hour, we could their loud prayers, some commotion inside, more volume and more volume again until that door finally opened. Before I could understand what exactly was happening, my IRE teacher summoned the few Muslims in the school asking for those who could recite qur’an. Apparently, everyone was looking at me; the 12 year old me to go do exorcism to a fellow kid. Right now, thinking about it, I realize how much danger our teacher put us into. Nonetheless, we still went. The girl’s brother, my teacher and I. Upon entering, the Christian teachers left with the look like, “she is all yours.”

The girl didn’t have her head scarf on. Her long hair was so messed up. She was pacing around the room like it was her ego that had taken over; walking arrogantly across like a boss. So I started reciting surat Yasin. I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know what surah was to be read but I still went on with the surah with her brother and my teacher following along. The girl was laughing at us, mocking us, insulting us; we were being useless. She wasn’t feeling anything. And for once I felt how really small I was. By the time I was done with Yasin and there was no improvement, I remembered surat Jinn and this is when things started getting wild. She was yelling, screaming in pain. I was shaking now, my hands too cold. There was nothing heroic about this; just shudders of fear. After some verses, she was holding my knees. Don’t even ask me how she got there but she was; holding my knees begging me to read louder because, “He is there. I can see him” pointing somewhere above our heads. It was terrifying and my knees wobbled. I almost thought i’d either pee on myself or faint in the process. She then quieted down. My teacher rushed to give her a glass of water and check if she recognizes herself and the people around. Somehow, with time, I was able to get over it but that was never the end of the exorcism sessions I had to attend.

In uni, one of my mates had the same issue and time to time we would have to do the exorcism on her despite knowing that it should be done by experts only. But then within the past few days, I came across far worse case scenarios I had never seen.

In Islam, (for those who don’t know about this) we have our traditional medicine and treatments called ruqya, and despite this being the original and the best medical way to deal with ailments especially the complicated unexplainable ones, we always tend to keep this to be the last option. Ruqya is commonly known for treatment of witchcraft, exorcism, hasad and 3ayn (disastrous envy) but also for normal ailments that could do just good with some herbals and holy treatment.This is the place you go when no scan is telling what is wrong with you. When you see the doctor and he has to call a mini-meeting to discuss what could be wrong with you and they just end up giving you speculations. This is the place you go when doctors and people ask you, “maybe it’s all in your head? Maybe you are just imagining being sick.” This is the place you go when you have lost hope and finally realize only religious treatment will help you.

My sister and I entered the room which was somewhat full with other Muslim ladies. We went to the front rows, sat quietly waiting just like the rest. When the sheikh finally started reciting, slowly I could hear voices behind me and beside me. Someone was crying, almost wimping, another was laughing in a mock. The one in front of me started stretching her hands, moving her head vigorously from left to right, beside us was another who was now groaning like a lion. Right behind me, the young lady was twisting and turning in pain. And I was there, right at the middle of it all, all seeming like a zombie apocalypse horror movie and everyone was getting infected and I was definitely the next. The screams were getting into my head, the cries, the shouts and my hands were already getting cold. Half the time I was holding my sister’s hand and the other half I was hugging myself, head bowed down. I didn’t want to look but hearing the voices only is way worse. So I get glimpsing around me and it was like someone was trying to drown me. My head being shoved in cold water, pulled out, before being shoved right back. There is a lot of sympathy, empathy, confusion and chaos. I almost walked out right at the middle of it because there you are and you see people having literal fights with the unseen. Someone is twisting like she has no bones, another is groaning like she is about to puke, another is shouting, ‘sitokii!!’ (leave me alone) or ‘uskut’ (Keep quiet!), another is half-crying half-laughing, another is holding her head while crying out in pain, another is screaming like a banshee while another is moving about intensely like she is dancing some zumba.

For the first time I was so scared of my own self, too tensed up because you don’t even have an idea what is wrong with you or even what is your situation exactly. I kept checking on my sister and whenever she’d just move a bit i’d get worried until after confirmation that she is okay. I was trying too to not bulge even an inch because my own restlessness was making me worry. So I wanted to convince myself that nothing is wrong and that nothing is wrong with my sister. But then keeping still is almost impossible too. When the one in front started reacting we had to move back a little bit, when the one behind was writhing in pain on the floor, we had to move forward again. I was terrified, shocked and perhaps it was too much for me to see several people ache loudly like that all at once. By the second day end of it all, a lady was still crying while talking in arabic, “Khaliny. Khaliny anta lasta 3unuky” (Leave me! Leave me you are not my neck) while struggling with her neck like she was being strangled. And that’s when I had had enough. I broke down.

I cried at the difficulty of the situation. At how hard it can be for someone to be their own enemy. At how your ailment is something inside you and you can barely do anything about it. I cried at how we really take it lightly how much these people suffer. But then this is way worse than malaria or even diabetics. This is someone inside you who was sent on a mission to destroy you. Someone who is trying to steal your identity, your happiness, your comfort and worst of all, you are the only one who can see it. Someone who can totally take control of your soul, make you do things or harm yourself and others without even knowing it. This is perhaps one of the biggest tests anyone can have. And even while watching the emotional mess, I wanted to disappear right into the wall beside me. It’s not a sight for someone with empathy issues or even crying-an-entire-bucket issues. I believe that the victims are very strong people and I just hope Allah makes it easy for them and pays them abundantly for their patience.

Perhaps this is why we keep being told that whenever we feel we are in difficult situations, we should look at those in worse scenarios than us and thank God anyway. Nonetheless, the religion has always been complete. We have to take these things seriously and recite the duas for the morning and evening sessions. We have to protect ourselves and our children. We have to teach them the duas before going into the washrooms and after, before eating and after, before leaving home and after…We have to ask for Allah’s protection when going to the beaches and new places. We have to read and listen to qur’an more often but more importantly, we have to listen to the ruqya verses more often. Trust me, it is worth it. The way people talk of possessed victims like it is an ordinary and ‘normal’ thing, is quite underrated. They suffer and they need our support, love and care. They need you now more than ever. They need your sincere prayers.

Besides all these dark spirits (which is mostly not everyone’s fault), Mombasa is a beautiful place of it’s own kind. Stereotyping generalizes it way more than it really is. The victims are sick and trust me, they do not like it just like you. Do not be afraid of them or stigmatize them. God is surely for us all.

To end this, below is a ruqya video that is good for you. Make time to listen to the video at least once everyday and let your family listen too. You can always download more videos and audios from the internet. https://youtu.be/oEgZT9cJ4lY (This is different from the one below)

May Allah have mercy on us, protect us and our families from all evil. Ameen.

Coast & Culture

8 KINDS OF WOMEN YOU WILL FIND IN MOMBASA WEDDINGS

By Lubnah Abdulhalim December 17, 2016

Photo Courtesy: Butterfly.4.Weddings (http://www.imgrum.net/)

There are 8 kinds of women you almost never miss in a Swahili/Mombasa wedding:

1. The epitome of beauty: The most beautiful lady in the room. You would almost confuse her to be the bride. She is gorgeous and she knows it. Make-up done perfectly with a Cinderella gown that makes her the princess of the night. She walks gracefully, head held high, appears in the dance floor, interact and doesn’t miss out in the photos.

2. Selfieeee: You will never miss a selfie freak. Always taking photos from the moment they step at the hall door, to when they are walking, seated, dancing, eating, all poses you can think off. She could have 50 photos of just a single evening.

3. Make-up gone soo wrong: The kind of lady who makes you question whether you are too ignorant about make-up or she really looks the way you see her. You question her brain, her mirror, her friends, her family, the entire humanity who walked right by her and never said a word. Not even, “honey, I think some water on your face will do you good.”?!!

4. Always the dancer: She is the great dancer. She knows her moves well and all songs can be danced even the one you would just sit and have your hand hold your chin? Yeah, that song too. She can dance it. So of course, you never miss her being in the dance floor.

5. Fashion police: The keen eyes scrutinizing what everyone is wearing, what colour, which jewelry, what they should have done differently and what would match best with what. Plus they never miss someone to discuss the fashion NO-NO’s with at the wedding.

6. Family-tree narrator: This is the historian. “See the lady in blue? she is the daughter of the woman in green. The woman in green is the step-cousin to your late mother. And your late mother had a great step-grandmother; she is the old lady talking to the young lady. The young lady is your step aunt” bla bla bla… They know most people in the wedding. They can connect the dots of family lineage back to your ancestors.

7. God! I_AM_BORED woman: She is mostly at the event because she has no choice. She is just staring at people, rarely interacting at all, appreciates the food being served, has a faint smile on her face and the moment the bride sits on the stage, she is gone!

8.The psycho kind of writer ME:The moment she takes a seat, she starts eating. She wants to get done with it already and forget about food. Next she is in pauses between chronic texting syndrome and staring at people silently like a serial killer and psychopath studying her victims. She looks at people like story materials and study expressions, impressions, abbreviations you name it 😀 She stares at the corner of the eyes of the bride trying to find tears, study body language and think of all the story ideas she can get from one event. There is no selfie taken at all because she is the same way you’d see her on the street buying tomatoes. She can’t interact much because hey! ‘I am just from greeting someone across the hall. I can’t dare do that again. Too much attention.’ She is always looking around just in case she sees a familiar face or an old friend. Not that she will walk to go say hi, rather she’ll just wave and plaster a big smile like, ‘if only you were closer i’d give you a hug.’ You know, Mombasa weddings are partly re-unions, everyone knows everyone sorta thing. She looks confused and lost. All people are going to take photos with the bride she is still seated at the far end row alone with empty seats beside and around her. She is trying to dissect the song lines and read between the lines and sometimes question the sanity of the singers with very cheesy lines. She waits until the bride is walking right beside her so that she can hug her and congratulate her. Then hurrah! ‘I think I just got something to write about from this.’ 😀 Okay I know I am bizarre and weird but at least you got something to read today! 😉 Have a blessed weekend lovely people 😀

Coast & Culture

7 REASONS WHY ‘NITUME ONLINE’ SERVICES IS WHAT YOU NEED!

By Lubnah Abdulhalim November 30, 2016

Are you for real? Are you sure you really want to go out in this weather of Mombasa?! It is either very hot, or too humid or raining or cloudy with mud and ponds of water from last night’s rain. Alright I get you. You probably have no option, do you? You need to buy the groceries, pick up your laundry, renew your passport, buy your child’s coughing syrup, send a parcel to Nairobi via bus etcetera etcetera. I totally get you. But do you know that you have a simpler way out of all of that?? Have you ever heard of ‘Nitume Online?

Nitume online is a company that was formed to help make your work easier at the comfort of your home and office.We will do your Mombasa errands for you. Here are some of the reasons why you should try out our services:

Cheap: I know you had probably made an assumption that our services must be expensive but guess what?! Our costs can go to as low as 150/200/300 shillings per delivery and according to the services you need. Mind you we also do the shopping for you so isn’t that so worth it?!
Timeliness: You don’t even have to worry about being late because it is simply out of our dictionary. You are going to have your stuff done/delivered before you even have time to complain.
Safety: The way the world is right now, you can barely trust someone assisting you carry your luggage but here is the thing about nitume-online. We don’t out source people or vehicles to do our job, it’s all an inside job; our people, our vehicles. We therefore take responsibility of all that happens during their services. Worry out!
Perfect communication skills: Have you ever had to talk to customer service and you regretted why you did in the first place? Rude, being kept waiting for too long, no replies to questions etc None of that happens with us. We are always a call away with all the answers for your queries and requests.
Convenience: It is a convenient for everyone. For the boss and the employee, the man and woman, the old and the young, the husband and the wife, in short; EVERYONE.
Satisfaction: Client happy, we are happy too. It’s always a two way thing. Both parties win, both parties are satisfied.
Offers: We do give offers from time to time. As of now, we have the ‘Wishful Wednesdays’ where your wish becomes a command 🙂 We offer free delivery hours between 9 a.m to 12 noon. This offer will be going on until January the 3rd, 2017.

Perhaps you should really try our services and find out for yourself what you’ve been missing all this time! log into: www.nitumeonline.co.ke or simply dial: 0708 099 099/0780 099 099.

P.S: We are currently hiring sales person to join our team. Please drop in your CV if interested: info@nitumeonline.co.ke

Coast & Culture

DHIKI ZA MAHABA

By Lubnah Abdulhalim November 15, 2016

Mwandishi: Sultan Karama

Picha: http://0.tqn.com/

Anavyojua yeye, magari yakigongana yote huharibika na safari husimama kwa muda. Lakini mbona la mwenzake liliondoka palepale? Mbona halikuhitaji ukarabati? Ama ilikuwa ajali ya kupangwa? Haya ndio baadhi tu ya maswali yaliokuwa yakimgonga kichwani. Aliketi kitandani akaangua kicheko. Aliucheka moyo wake kwa kuvunjwa mara kwa mara lakini haukomi. Mara akanuna. Aucheke moyo wake au ajicheke yeye?

Alikuwa kinyume na jina lake. Sudi hakuwa na bahati Katika ulingo wa mapenzi . Alibaki kusikia kutoka kwa simulizi za watu utamu wa mapenzi, ila kwake hayakuwa tofauti na subili. Alimeza funda la mate mazito kwa uchungu mno. Afanye nini aupoteze uchungu uliomvaa? Kipi afanye ili moyo uwe huru? Nani wa kumsikiza amlilie? Alimtafuta wa kumuauni na kumpa faraja wakati ule akose.

Alimkumbuka mpenziwe Fatuma Baraka na ahadi teletele walizowekeana. Alikumbuka nyakati nyingi alivyojitahidi kumfurahisha nana ila jitihada haziondoi kudura. Alihisi kusalitiwa na mtu aliemuamini. Sasa ni yupi wa kuaminiwa tena? Ama kweli kutendwa ni kubaya. Alitamani ardhi ipasuke immeze mzima mzima. Alihisi huu ndio mwisho wa uhai ila alijipa matumaini “Mungu huleta sahau .” Ila swali ibuka ni : lini itakuja sahau? Lini atamsahau kimwana? Vipi aweze kumsahau Fatuma wakati hata kichupa cha marashu kilimkubusha mwanamke yule wa shani?

Alikitupa kichupa kile cha marashi maana kila akikinusa alimkumbuka asietaka kumkumbuka. Kwenda kununua chengine pia alishindwa,maana hakuna wa kumpeleka kumsaidia kuchagua kama zamani. Hii ni tamati ya kila kitu katika aushi. Alijitupa kitandani na kutuliza bongo lake kwa makini ili apate usingizi lakini lepe alilolitarajia halikuja ila mawazo ya bimkubwa yalimjia moja baada ya nyengine. “Sie huyu alieniahidi kutoniacha?” “Huyu kijana ‘A’ ni nani kwani na ni kipi kilichomvutia nyongo mkalia ini? Ama kweli Audi sina sudi “

Kawaida ya moyo ukifikiwa na mazito huongea kwa kutoa machozi lakini moyo wake ulikuwa bubu uliongea kwa Ishara. Ghafla akatabasamu. Bahari ina samaki wengi tafi, tangu,una,kiboma an wengine wengi ila yeye alipenda simsim pamoja na udogo wao. Lakini walipomdunga kwa miba yao alisusia samaki, alisusia mpaka pweza wasio na mwiba. Alibughudhiwa kwa mandhari yao ila alijiona huru kabisa.

Baada ya kurudishiwa moyo wake jioni ile,hakurudi nyumbani. Alipitia kwa mpiga chapa, akatoa nakala kadha wa kadha za moyo wake ili Kama atapenda tena atapeana nakala hatopeana moyo wake.

Coast & Culture

SAFARI YA MBINGUNI (sehemu ya mwisho)

By Lubnah Abdulhalim November 4, 2016

Mwandishi: Mtoto wa Katama

Mtaa mzima ulipata habari ya yale yaliyotokea na mamake Khamisi alikuwa mmoja kati ya waliokuwa wakimtafuta Khamisi. Maafisa wa usalama walifika kwenye eneo la tukio, wakauburuza mwili wa marehemu hadi katika gari walilokuja nalo na kuupakia mwili kama vile wamo boharini. Wakakaa kidogo na kujifanya kuuliza maswali wale waliokuwa katika eneo, huku wakitikisa vichwa vyao tu, kama kuonyesha kuwa wanajali sana majibu yaliyokuwa yakitolewa. Kisha hao wakatia gari moto na kuchomoka na maiti.

Mamake Khamisi baada ya kumtafuta kwa muda na kiza kikawa kinaingia bila ya mafanikio yeyote, hakujua afanye nini. Hakuweza kukubali matukio yaliyotokea siku ile, cha zaidi aliomba tu! Siku ingeanza upya, huku machozi yakimdondoka bila kilio chochote. Alikuwa amechoka sana lakini alijiburuta, akaingia jikoni na kujitengenezea kikombe cha chai, mdogo wake Khamisi alikuwa amelala asijue lilotokea. Aliporudi kukaa, alijiuliza Khamisi atakuwa ametokomea wapi. Na wakati ule ilimjia kuwa Khamisi alikimbia na panga mkononi, hivi atakuwa amemwaga damu zaidi huko alikokimbilia au na yeye kapata mbabe aliyemmalizia mbali. Akaanza kugeuka huku na huku, jasho likimtoka, alikumbuka kuwa Khamisi ndiye mwana aliyemtegemea wakumshusha mzigo wa kumlea mdogo wake. Lakini kwa jinsi mambo yalivyotokea, na picha iliyobaki ni aidha Khamisi atauwawa na wanakijiji au aishilie jela milele kwa mauaji ya ami yake. Ndoto zote alizokuwa nazo juu ya mtoto wako zilianza kufifia moja baada ya nyingine. Katika hali ile ya kufikiria na kujilaumu kwa masaibu yake, afua ya Maulana ilimjia na usingizi ukamchukua na kulala chali kama kitoto licha ya masaibu yote.

Mamake Khamisi alipofungua mlango alimwona Bi Sofia amesimama huku amefungata mdomo wake kwa kiganja chake. Maneno yakimtoka kwa kigugumizi “ Ah! Ahhh!, mwenzangu, Innalilahi… waina ilayhi rajiun, sote ni wa Mungu tunaelekea huko huko” alisema kwa masikitiko Bi Sofia. Lakini mamake Khamisi alikuwa kachanganyikiwa, kwa kweli hakujua anamuongelea nani haswa. “ Hivi bibiye nikuulize, nani katuacha haswa?” aliuliza mamake Khamisi. “Hivi huna habari kabisa mwenzangu, mwanao Khamisi amepatikana pwani huko na wavuvi walioingia alfajiri ya kwanza, kajinyonga kwenye mti ufukweni” Bi Sofia akasema. Hata kabla ya kumaliza maneno yake, mamake Khamisi aliishiwa na nguvu, miguu yake ilishindwa kumueka tisti na akadondoka hadi sakafuni.

Fahamu zilimrudia mamake Khamisi na alikuwa tayari anafarijiwa na wenzake. Uani, majamvi yalikuwa teyari yametandikwa, ile hali ya ‘umatanga’ ilikuwa imeshafika katika nyumba ya mamake Khamisi. Watu walikuwa nao wanamiminika pole pole. Kuna wale waliokuja kutoa pole na kuenda zao na wale walioeka kambi mpaka shughuli nzima itakapomalizika.

Kati ya waombolezaji wale, alitokeo mvuvi mmoja na kumkabidhi Bi Sofia karatasi na kumpa maagizo ampe mamake Khamisi. Karatasi ile ilikuwa ni waraka uliokuwa umeandikwa na Khamisi kabla ya mauti yake, bila kusita mamake Khamisi alifungua na kusoma barua ile ya dhiki japokuwa alikuwa na hamu nayo…” Utakapo soma barua hii mamangu mpendwa itakuwa tayari nimekufa, na la zaidi ungetamani niwe hai ili upate majibu kwa yale niliyoyafanya. Lakini sijutii lolote kwa walimwengu, ila ninahofia Mola wangu atanipokea vipi?. Kukujibu na kukuondeshea makiwa nilifanya hayo yote ili mamangu mzazi uweze kurithi kile alichoacha babangu mzazi, Nishamuondoa nduli aliyezuia haya yote. Nataraji utapata nafasi katika moyo wako na kunisamehe na kama hamna nafasi hiyo, tafadhali niombe kwa Maulana ninapoanza hii safari yangu ya ‘mbinguni’…..

Coast & Culture

SAFARI YA MBINGUNI (sehemu ya 5)

By Lubnah Abdulhalim November 3, 2016

Mwandishi: Mtoto Wa Katama

Fujo ziliendelea mle ndani, kweli mapambano yalikuwa yamechacha vyombo vilisikika vikianguka. Watu nao nje hamu na hamumu ziliwazidi kila mayoye yalipozidi. Waliamua wasingeweza kukosa uhondo wote huo, maana milango na madirisha yalikuwa yamefungwa yote na hawakupata kuona lolote. Jagina moja likatokea ili ‘kutafuta suluhu’ na kusukuma watu nyuma, akaanza kuonesha madoido kwa kukaza misuli yake ya mikononi. Watu walimshangilia na kumtia mori, akajawa na ushujaa akaja mbio kwa fujo, na kupita na mlango wa nje kwa bega lake. Naye kweli alikuwa na nguvuze, ule mlango kuuvunja kwa kishindo kimoja ni jambo la kupewa kongole kwa kazi nzuri aliyoifanya. Naye ‘ushujaa’ ule ulikuja na gharama alianguka kwa kishindo ukumbini na kujipiga na meza. Maskini ya Mungu! Alilia kama kitoto kidogo, bega lilikuwa khalas! tayari lilikuwa limevunjika.

Watu wakaanza kumiminika kuingia mle ndani, hata hawakudiriki kumpa usaidizi wa kwanza ‘shujaa’ wao aliyewavunjia mlango. Walimuacha akigaragara chini na kumruka bila hata ya kumjali na lolote. Punde si punde kila mtu alionekana akikimbilia kutoka nje. Mlango ukageuka ‘mdogo’ watu waliparamiana na kusukumana ili wapate nafasi ya kuregea walipotokea. Vilio viliskika tu sana kwa wingi,na wale waliokuwa nje walishindwa kwa nini wenzi wao wanaregea tena kwa kishindo. “Anakuja tayari kashamaliza huko ndani!”

Kila mtu roho mkononi, kwa mda wa sekunde chache kimya kilitalawa sehemu yote, kama vile wakati ulikuwa umesimamishwa na hakuna kilichosonga. Mara ghafla! Bwanamkubwa Khamisi alichopoka na panga likiwa mkononi, nguo zake zilikuwa zimelowa damu ajabu. Lo! Lile panga lilivyokuwa likitiririka ngeu…..Mmmmhh! kweli asiyekuwa na macho haambiwi tazama. Kwani kuna la zaidi l kuambiwa! Kila mtu tayari alipata picha kamili ya tukio lilojiri. Na kilichobaki ilikuwa mguu niponye, waliokuwa mbele ya tukio walianza kutawanyika na kusambaratika wakielekea kila upande. Walimpa Khamisi njia, utadhani rais keshaingia mjini, hakuna aliyedhubutu kujifanya shujaa….ili iweje? Kwa kasi ile aliyokuwa akikimbia nayo Khamisi, hakuna ambaye angeweza kumkamata au kudhubutu kumzuia.

Khamisi alitokomea baada ya kupiga vichochoro kadha na kuacha vilio nyuma! Mwili wa ami yake Khamisi alikuwa amelala kifudifudi katika ‘kidimbwi’ cha damu, mwili wake alikuwa amechanjwa chanjwa kwa panga. Teyari mtu keshaenda jongomeo, mwenye roho nyepesi asingeweza kumudu kuangalia mwili ule. Unyama ulioje ule, kila aliyetoka mle ndani alikuwa ameshika kichwa na kuonyesha hali ya kutamaushwa na tukio lile. Mamake Khamisi aligaragara chinina kupiga mayowe, alitoa leso yake na kuanza kuichanachana kwa uchungu. Jirani zake walijaribu kumuauni, lakini wapi waliambulia patupu. Hakuamini katu kisa alichokifanya mwanawe…”Laana gani umeniachia babake Khamisi? Mbona mimi tu” aliomboleza mamake Khamisi kwa fujo, huku machozi yakimdondoka kwa wingi. “ Mama utakufuru Mungu sasa! Ebu! Jitande kwanza na umuogope Mungu” mmoja wa jirani zake alijaribu kumsemesha apunguze maombolezo yake asije akavuka mipaka. Kwa kweli ya Mungu ni mengi, hakuna yeyote aliyedhania matukio kama haya yangetokea, siku ilianza kwa uzuri na utulivu, na jinsi ilivyopinduka kwa ghafla! Kwa muda wote ule watu wakiponda jinsi ya kufanya, kila mtu alijiuliza “ Je Khamisi yuko wapi?……………..

Coast & Culture

FEW MORE BLOGGERS FROM MOMBASA

By Lubnah Abdulhalim August 9, 2016

Binti naji:

Is a mother to two lovely boys,has an 8 hour job, and a voracious reader turned into a writer by passion, the blog is literally about love, life and inspiration, we all wanna go out there and tell our stories and Bintinaji is one that finds solace in not only sharing her stories out there , but inspiring others who could be going through the same, Binti is more sentimental but tries to come to reality once in a while, “In our sad moments, we become poets”-Anonymous , guess that is where it all started.

The blog is as new as a few months old, is divided into poems, relationships section, parenting and general views or blog section.Go out there and show her some love now, will you? 😉 www.bintinaji.co.ke

Salaam everyone! My name is Kadzo,and I am a lifestyle blogger from Mombasa currently residing in Nairobi, and my blog is basically an amalgamation of my experiences.It’s a place for me to express myself creatively whether it be through writing, photography, film or art. I can’t lie, i’m also such a style freak and i love to share my beauty,fashion and style favourites. Essentially,my blog is a channel for me to create and interact with other creative people in the world, and sometimes that means pouring my heart out in some very heart to heart types of posts.I know, i basically said a whole bunch of things on here but if i were to categorize what i do into a few words, those words would be Fashion, Faith and Lifestyle…and a whole bunch of awesomeness! I hope you check me out! http://nownotforever.blogspot.co.ke/

Shout out to Lubnah for being such an awesome sport and making this profile of awesome bloggers.Thank you!!!

Lalbiby Mansoor:

ITSJUSTLAALI.WORDPRESS.COM

Fun. Quirky. Relatable!!!

As a writer, Lalbiby Mansoor lives in a crazy, magical world with outrageous expectations. She believes that paper will listen to you more than any human would. And for that, she started writing to open up her soul. She is an introvert, coffee addict, shoe freak and writes about anything that pops in her mind. She is very wordy and her blog is purely non professional!

Imran Abdallah:

Is a Computer Technology undergraduate studying somewhere in the wilderness of Central Kenya, who’s always either goofy or mature-ish depending on the mood you find him in.

After a mysterious radiation accident, he discovered that he possessed an incredibly dangerous power that allowed him to string words together to form meaningful sentences and so he started his blog to test the limits of his new-found power.

He writes on just about any topic his mind wanders to and in any genre his heart takes to but his fascination with science means that you will occassionally find more than a few scientific quips thrown into his blog posts. Don’t hesitate to have a look! https://mylitcorner.wordpress.com/

Munir:

A writer who enjoys reading. Motivated by challenges and experiences. He expresses himself through words on paper in poetic form.

Blogg- jduddson.wordpress.com

ANOTHER BLOGGER TO FOLLOW:

Ibrahim Ochanda;

www.otchandersread.wordpress.com

A -: Dreamer |Thinker |Ambitious |Cool |Blogger; Ochanda, a full time comp. Scie. Student offers you access to the sanctuary of his mind. In his post you could read his mind through his thoughts, personal opinions and more than once his dreams. All of these captured beautifully in poems and well crafted articles ranging from social issues to political views. The blog is more of a motivational forum through a unique way of writing.

There are many more writers, bloggers, artists, poets that are not mentioned here. Some are still carving their way to greatness while others already have their crowds. It’s just upon the readers to explore the Coast bloggers and see what goodies they have to offer!

Coast & Culture

PROFILING THE MOMBASA BLOGGERS

By Lubnah Abdulhalim July 31, 2016

I’ve been having the art vibes of late and i’ve been trying to showcase the artistic minds that we have around here. The below profiles are written by the writers themselves. Luring enough? I bet you are about to discover that right now. Simply click on their links or to access their blogs directly!

Let’s appreciate each others work. Let’s appreciate the mightiness of the pen together!

Farhaz Khan:

A Kenyan blogger based in the port city of Mombasa who has just been in the business for a year and shows great potential. Kenya Blog Awards Nominee for the year 2016 under best creative writing category and manages to pull off a runner up positions in a tight contest. Nonetheless, a creative writer whose style and choose of words is just unique and always inspiring. KHANFARHAZ describes blogging and writing in famous words of Anais Nin,“We write to taste life twice.” He is the brains behind this blog and has tried to touch on a variety of aspects affecting the society, contemporary issues and even creative writing. Mostly talking of day to day activities and his writings not only make sense to contemporary issues but also as a reader you live each moment with him as you read through this blog. He is and erudite blogger who is ready to showcase the current and actual situation as it is. A promising blogger indeed. Read his work at: https://khanfarhazart.wordpress.com/

Abdulqadir Mahmoud:

What do you do when your phone is low on battery, or when your laptop is dying off, or when someone wants to pay you double…you Recharge. As superior as we are to all that, we often too ware out to a down low while trying to find our way in this maze called Life. Recharge is the kind of blog where life is mapped down to give direction to anyone who needs it. It is a place of connecting with your lost self and giving you back to you, because the only person who can save you, is you. When you fumble to stay strong and dearie life is showing you some tough love, Recharge is the place to be. In simple terms, you know that feeling when all you want to do is lay in bed and just comprehend the painful pangs pulsing out of your heart, burning, eating you slowly and making sure it lets you feel the agony of every bite before it takes another, and it never lets you do anything so that you suffer its anguish? Yep, you need a Recharge. So plug yourself in at www.selfcharge.blogspot.co.ke and free yourself from this dearie sweet monster, called life.

Salma Abdulatif:

mostly referred to as Salummy or Salmun. She is the lady that will never sit back and wait for wonders to happen.

From the lands of the Seas and Camels, a writer was born. A writer that not only seeks to express, but also to impress. A writer that does not only speak through her pen but one that bleeds with the readers…opens wounds untouched, cries amidst the sunset and the sunrise with her pen because she was told by her very own Bic, that as a community, the Bics and HBs have surrendered their lives to her.

Salummy has in her the magic well-crafted that it has powers to transform dead communities and the living corpses. So on her site are 10 categories; Creative Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, African Contemporary Stories, Poetry, Fashion & Design, Airlines and Marine, Things you need to know, Guest posts, Religion & Interviews and Food& Drinks. Her site is like a small mall, all under one roof.

Do not forget to check www.salummy.co.ke for some of her amazing pieces…

Abdul-Rahman “Abu Amirah” Ndegwa:

Is a creative writer based in Mombasa. His main line of writing is flash fiction and short stories with most of his characters assuming Coastal personas once he gives them permission to have a home in his blog akhymjanja.co.ke where they interact with the readers. His short story “The Swahilification of Mutembei” has been short listed for the Writivism 2016 Anthology to be published later in the year.

Abu Amirah also writes for tendi.org, an ensemble of Coastal writers formed after a Kwani? Creative writing workshop in 2015 and also writes the weekly column “Swahilific: Diary of a campus girl” in lifeinmombasa.com, Coastal Kenya’s premier lifestyle magazine.

He is still a work in progress!

Jamila Hassan:

Is founder of Life in Mombasa, Life in Mombasa is a blog for those exploring Mombasa food, culture and architect. Her blog was awarded the ‘best County blog 2016’ by BAKE ( Bloggers Association of Kenya).

The aim of the blog is to change the face of Mombasa, to show the different types of culture through photography and personal blogs. She holds a Bachelors degree in Arts emphasis on Interpersonal communication from Metropolitan State University in Minnesota (USA). You can view her blog at www.LifeinMombasa.com

Mohammed swabri karama:

Ukumbi huu wa mashairihub.wordpress.co

m ni ukumbi wa mashairi ya kiswahili. Tungo zina daraja. Mtu huanza kuwa mshairi apate cheo awe jimbi apate cheo awe shaha kisha awe shaha wa mashaha. Tungo ndizo zinazompa mswahili wasaa wa kueleza fikra zake na mawazo yake alioyonayo. Ukumbi huu ni katika kumbi chache kabisa ambazo zinajitahidi katika kuiboresha fani hii. Ijapokuwa ni fani nzito ila mwandishi anajitahidi kadri ya uwezo wake kutimiza masharti yote ili aweze kufikisha hidia zake kwa hadhira kwa uwazi kabisa na kugusia maswala ibuka katika jamii.

Swaleh Arif:

Still ‘a very new newbie’ in blogging yet a promising blogger.

The third eye isn’t a blog meant for everyone. Only open-minded individuals with a desire to do good and change the world around them will benefit from it. With it’s insightful narratives and eye-opening arguments, the reader should expect to be awakened, but only if they choose to. Emphasis on quality over quantity is observed in this site so as to truly impart tools that will assist the reader in their journey to discover their true selves and open their inner eye.

Issues tackled are mainly racism, government, human rights and topics of similar scope. You can always read his articles at: https://swaleh7arif.wordpress.com/

Rashid Shariff:

Could there,ever,be something serious in funny stuff and funny stuff in something serious?

Exploring different fields, ranging from neuroscience,marketing,economics to social psychology.Rashid Shariff(the guy in the pic) demystifies concepts in these fields using pop culture, and how you can apply them in your day to day life.For example,an article to be published on 2nd August 2016 will show the connection between Gangnam Style and Vilfredo Pareto’s 20/80 principle.

Interested?…find his articles at Shariffspeaks(www.shariffspeaks.wordpress.com) or (shariffspeaks@wordpress.com)

Zubeda Mohamed:

Swift Hands is a literal collection of life put in paper, they are not stories to read and just leave reading. Every part, each piece explains life. If the articles were colours, they would’ve been painted on walls to light everyone’s heart. Touches every vein and pierces the heart, positively!

You can read her amazing master pieces at: http://swifthandsswiftness1.blogspot.co.ke

Abdulmutwalib M. Saggaf:

He is a believer of pen is mighter than sword that is why he expresses his thoughts in his blog (saggaf93.wordpress.com).

Saggaf is known to be a flexible and hardworking gentleman. As in this age where men are thought to hide their emotions and feelings ,instead he expresses it through his writing and fashion style. For example an article that he wrote on this named as “Dress for Success” and other articles like ” I should be working” which is one of his own favourite pieces among others. Saggaf is also a social media enthusiast well known as @saggaf93 in his social media platforms ,a vlogger,a keen model, a student, a friend, brother and uncle.

Over all he is just optimistic guy who is working hard through different channels of life to turn his possibilities into realities.

Shamsudin:

loves the written word and other than being passionate about branding and graphic design,he has a deep fascination for computer tech.

He jots down his thoughts about life in general, most especially about the society and he has been actively generating posts with the prefix “We live in a society….” Via his page ‘Shamsudin Writes’.

He believes there is a lot to be done on society as regards social, economic,spiritual and political improvement.

His topics range from leadership,financial freedom, motivational and inspirational articles. He is more polished in public speaking than writing but firmly believes anything can be learned and acquired.

Once asked what he does during his free time,he said he enjoys reading books.

His favourite mantra is “Holding my pen to speak from my mind to yours so we can reason together.” You can read his work at: https://shamsudinwrites.wordpress.com/

Leyla:

Is a dedicated mother, wife, and community activist who has lived in three different continents. Born of a Kenyan mother (Mombasa origin) and an American father, she explores life’s many questions through a multi-cultural,Islamic, and feminist lens on her blog at www.mwanawapate.wordpress.com

Besides her 9-5 job, she serves as the secretary to the popular community group based in Mombasa called Donge La Mombasa Welfare Group (www.dongelamombasa). She is also the founder and director of The Fatma and Khadija Memorial Library.

She lives in London with her husband, children, and beloved fish called Joho.

OTHER BLOGS TO FOLLOW:

(Beyond Mombasa)

Vintagediaries:

Is a blog by hibaaq osman

(IG:@_vintagediaries_).

She may still be very new in the field but she has us drawn to her posts.

Some people write in hopes of finding a door out of their pain,and giving hope to the broken.

They just spill their hearts out,express whatever we are unable to say and someone somewhere relates to it.

They motivate and inspire us through their words.

This is what vintagediaries

(vintageediaries.wordpress.com)

is all about.

Ahmed Shayo:

His blog talks about the most intimate things that revolve our lives. He speaks of our darkest fears, shedding light to thoughts that linger in secret corners of our hearts. He talks of love, sadness, death and life in a holistic approach, and he does that with a poetic literature that beats your imagination. Epic poetry! Check out his art at: Ahmedshayo014.wordpress.com

These are definitely writers to check out and enjoy what they have to offer. More profiles to come up soon in shaa Allah!

Coast & Culture

HOW ART ARE YOU TODAY?

By Lubnah Abdulhalim July 30, 2016

Art is just another amazing world of it’s own. It takes us to places, it makes us feel. It makes us think outside the box and deep inside it. Art cannot even be described as it deserves to be. Art is just art ❤

I came across this very talented young lady who is venturing in this field; alone, independently and it just awe-inspires me when I see art anywhere. I couldn’t leave her stay unnoticed. She needs our support, she and many others need a platform for them to grow. This is what her journey is all about ?

Full name: Mirfat Mahmoud Miyanji

Age: 20 years old

Current education level: High school graduate ’15 (Sheikh Khalifa Secondary)

Job: I freelance sell my canvas pieces.

Your art is just too amazing, where do you get the inspiration from?

My inspiration comes from my surroundings and my emotions. I draw what I feel will portray a deeper understanding on all things beautiful. Not only beauty defined by standards but beauty seen by all.

Is your art a skill learnt or a talent that perhaps runs in your blood?

My art talent runs in the blood; hereditary from my mother. Though art is like any other skill without practice there’s no perfection.

When did you start drawing? (Tell us a bit about your journey)

Well I started drawing from a young age, I’ve always found it fascinating. I became serious with my interest in art in 2014 this is when I started exploring the world of pencil sketching, drawing simple images and calligraphy letters and from there I evolved to acrylic and oil canvas paintings through observation and determination.

When do you draw mostly? (When you are happy or sad or it is a hobby you do anytime)?

I mostly draw when I’m feeling the urge to draw it doesn’t matter if I’m sad or happy but it is as well as a hobby. It’s something I love to do. A passion.

Is there anyone who mentors you in this?

Unfortunately I don’t have a mentor for my art skill it is mostly self taught. Trial and error basis.

Which themes do you use mostly? (Sadness, joy, loneliness, darkness)?

The themes I use for my art vary, even though it is driven by the urge to draw, my emotions do play a significant part in my work. Some of my pieces consist of loneliness, some of joy and some are abstract or formed by my love for something or someone.

Who gives you the best support in your art journey?

I don’t have a specific person who gives me the best support; my family, friends, colleagues in the field of art, teachers, even acquaintances and social media followers are my biggest and best support. All their contribution on feedback as well as good will is major support and I appreciate it.

What are your future plans on developing your art skills?

Well my plans are on learning more mediums in which I can portray art. For art is not just in the form of a sketch but by different forms in sculptures, paintings, intricate details, glass paintings etc. Also teaching; the best way to perfect something is to teach it so I’d like to develop the skill of teaching art, so not just I and a few others can see it’s tenderness and beauty.

Which is your best drawing so far?

To be honest I don’t have a best drawing, each piece of my art is best in it’s own way since all carry different messages in them and the outcome of each is executed it’s own way.

Have you ever participated in any exhibition?

Unfortunately I haven’t participated in any exhibitions yet.

What about competitions? Did you win?

I did participate in the Kiwi drawing competition in primary and won twice.

Have you ever drawn something then hated the outcome?

I have drawn a few things then hated the outcome especially when I’m trying a new concept in art but I never give up I keep trying until eventually I start to like the end product.

What would you tell other young artists who are sleeping on their talent?

What i could tell young artists who haven’t thought of pursuing their talents is that someone somewhere wishes they had a talent, any talent and it is such a waste that this God given gift has not been put to it’s purpose and used to it’s full potential by you. I urge you to pursue it and no matter how many times you fail, those are just lessons learned. The fruits of success are sweet and I guarantee that success follows hard work.

Where can we get your master pieces?

My art pieces are available at ‘NIVANNA INTERIORS’ City Mall Mombasa or you can contact me directly for custom pieces at 0708821194.

I believe you agree with me that her art is just beyond amazing. Next time you hear them say Mombasa has no talent, no zeal, no passion, talk to them about people like Mirfat. There are many more who just haven’t yet had their break through! May God bless the work of our hands, ameen! ?