By Winnie Kamau
A group of 30 residents from Kinna, Guba Dida village have setup a cultural village called Malka Bisanadi (white waters).Located just 100 km from Isiolo town on the Eastern side bordering Meru National Park, a small town bustles with farming and ecotourism activities. This community of Agro-pastrolists in Kinna town is very familiar of the hardships that face them every now and then when the drought strikes.
The residents teamed up as a self help group constituting 18 women and 12 men in 2004. They also integrated the services of the Elders in the community to assist in the cultural perspective of the village. The cultural village is aimed at promoting eco tourism and preserving the Borana culture which seems to be eroding day by day with the influence of the Western values. According Nura Kampura ,Secretary ,Bisinadi self Help group; “We are preserving our culture and at the same time tapping on the tourist’s visiting the Meru national park where we border. “ The visitors are treated like royalties and in the evening around a bonfire cultural dances and exotic traditions are performed in the ambiance of the wild.
At the Malka you get to experience a different setup unlike any other honey moon suite. The suites which are called Minn Arossa in Borana are built on the day of the wedding. As custom dictates the building of a house is the work of the women, they embark to intertwine the sticks and thatch using gela and a rope made from the bark of the Acacia tree. Once the Minn Arossas are ready the women embark on the interior, here a thatched bed is made and an extra bed is made for relaxation.
In the honey-moon suites there’s a special hole meant for the lady in preparation for the husband. an aphrodisiac of some sorts for the couple. Hot coal is put in on the base of the hole and the scented stones made of (herbalbark forors,udi,perfume and sugar) is placed on top where it burns leaving at its wake a beautiful scent. Here the bride after a shower and oiling herself fully covered no to allow the scent disappear stands with her legs apart and allows the perfume to enter her body.
Makai Mtalo, Chairlady , Bisanadi Cultural village “this facility is meant for the honeymooners, according to our tradition.” The scent goes into the girls clothing and body in readiness for her husband. The scent once spotted by the man is able to know that her woman is ready for him.
Makai tells us “It is meant to set a romantic mood for the couple and a general nice smell for the lady more like an aphrodisiac and highly recommended for honeymooners. It is meant to dry and clean leaving a nice scent on the reproductive part of the woman”
We are even given the samples and try out and sure enough the scent is amazing. Makai adds “We have been able to preserve the indigenous trees for the perfume in the village to help generate more of the perfume”
The group which has received 10 honeymooners has been able to construct 33 Minn Arossas to accommodate tourists who get to experience the Borana culture at the campsite. The visitors pay 2,000 shillings for full board services and in the evening they are entertained with cultural dances. With the park just next to the village the visitors get to go for a game drive in the Park.
Makai has praises for the village “Cultural village has helped the women to be busy and to be more self-reliant. The money we get we invest in development projects, like I now want to build a permanent house for my family”
Just like every good deed the group has had its fair share of challenges. On the onset the community was not receptive to their idea and local leaders have not been able to support them. They also have had challenges in marketing and getting good traffic of tourists to the village. During the recent Disaster Risk Reduction Day the Agro-pastoralists were urged to build resilience against the changing weather patterns and join such noble groups.
