We passed by many women; invariably they were bent over and carried large, heavy bundles of firewood on their backs. Across all of Africa, women are like pack animals – carrying firewood and water long distances every single day. Many of the Pokot women wore only a loosely hanging “shuka” (piece of cloth or blanket draped over one shoulder) on the upper portion of their bodies.
We crossed over a river with a dozen naked kids swimming or bathing. Bare-chested women laundered clothes, spreading them out to dry on large stones. Virtually all the women (young and old) wore numerous bangles on their wrists – brass, copper, and silver. From their pierced ears (or cut earlobes) hung astounding beaded earrings in various lengths. Many wore the large, stiff beaded necklaces as well.
As various passengers got on and off our vehicle, I noticed that often their hair wasn’t combed – both male and female. It wasn’t as tightly curled as most Kenyans’ and many heads of hair had brownish colored patches.
One guy had a “torch” (flashlight) in his back pocket. I suppose that’s a prudent move, in case one is still out after dark. As we stopped to pick up a young man, he eagerly approached the wrong side of the matatu, apparently expecting a sliding side door. The conductor and driver animatedly told him to use the other side. He must not travel in vehicles very often.
When we stopped for a beautiful young woman who flagged us down, the driver patiently waited as she picked up some clothes drying on stones, a plastic bag dangling from a wooden fence, and a large gunny sack lying by the side of the road. She was marvelously dressed and adorned with numerous, brightly colored beaded necklaces and earrings. About a dozen intentionally placed scars served as beauty marks on her chest.
Simultaneously, a similarly dressed and adorned handsome young man boarded. He had long chains hanging from his pierced ears. They were both quite stunning. One could think they had just walked off of a movie set, but obviously this was their daily wear.
