25/12/2022
MESSAGE TO WATU WAGENI 001
WELCOME TO MOMBASA
Dear Kenyans who have come to Mombasa for the the holidays: You are most welcomed , plenty of water for all of you to swim.
1. Ugali is called Sima,
2. Pojo is green grams/dengu as you call them.
3. Kuna sambusa za nyama, viazi na pojo. so specify ama uliza.
4. Ukwaju is not pili pili , pilipili are raw chilies
5. Rice is wali , hatusemi mchele.
6. Mahamri IS NOT the same as mandazi , story za mandazi wachia Nairobi.
7. There are two types of bhajia. Bhajia za kawaida na bhajia za kihindi. The latter is smaller, dark brown and crunchy. Whatever you people call bhajia in Nairobi (Those potatoes with dhania) huwa hatuli huku.
8. Mombasa people are big on greetings and courtesy.
Shikamoo - greetings to a person way older than you. Around your parents age.
Marahaba - How you respond when a child says 'Shikamoo' to you.
Also Assaalam Aleikum which is not kiswahili. Its an Islamic greetings for 'Peace be upon you.'
Waaleikum Saalam is its response. This would get you a long way among Muslim folks.
If you are not sure on what greetings to use, a normal, 'Habari ya leo/asubuhi/jioni' works just fine,especially with people who provide services. Gets you better services too.
9. You can carry all your hot-pants, bikinis, b***y shorts and what not. You can slay all you want but please when going to town try and dress decently. Yes your dress your choice lakini siendi Old Town na mtu anakaa kahaba in the name of slayage. A summer dress would be just fine for town run around and errands. Trust me.
For the guys, vests si T-shirts. Please invest in a t-shirt or ask for sleeveless t-shirts fondly known as Kata kono. Leave the faded, ugly yellowish vests in Nairobi.
10. Public alcohol drinking is highly frowned upon so unless you are in a cab, a private residence, a tuktuk, carrying a mzinga and Beer cans is not considered hip or cool around here. You might actually find yourself on the receiving end of some not so pleasant words.
