At a random time on a random road in Mombasa a man pushes his mkokoteni (wheel cart) and shouts 'Maaaali Maaaali, Maaaali Maaaali'. On hearing this some ladies living in the vicinity come out of their houses with a wad of old clothes. The mali mali exchanges new items (mostly crockery) for old clothes.
A typical scenario would include a lady demanding 6 bowls instead of 5 for the 2 pair of trousers and 5 shirts she gave away. The mali mali would then complain on the condition of the clothes and as they're haggling perhaps a nearby beggar runs away with anything he can grab. This exciting form of barter trade pleases all. The children even come out in hopes of persuading their parent to get a a toy as one of the returns.
Growing up it was a fascinating scheme to witness. I do wonder where they have all disappeared to. It's been forever since I last saw them.
6 comments:
I think the scenario's well descriptive! :) Really, I do wonder where they all are now ...I remember as a child I used to be afraid of their loud calls..not only that, do you remember the cluttering noise that always came from the wheel carts as the tyres moved? It just suddenly all came bac to me!
I seem to have forgotten they made those noises..
and my my! you were scared of alot of things back then! lol
really...wot lse hav i been scared of ..? lol apart from cats, solid dosage forms and the above calls!? lol
dogs maybe? lol
i remember maaali maali...but i wonder what hed do with the used up clothess...crockeryyy is sooo much better! LOL im saying that now coz i have to set up a house from scratch!
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