Mmbando's at Mwika- 2005

Here is Maleaki and Audrey Mmbando's place in Mwika up on the side of Kilmanjaro. Bananas, coffee and beans all growing together. The mountain is so densely settled here that they must keep the cows and goats fenced and bring them feed, mostly banana vegitation. Mwika is the banana capital of Tanzania and on market day the lorries load up huge loads to take all over the northern part of the country. Coffee has declined in importance but still grown. They put me up in the little addition on the rear of the house. They have just recently gotten electricity. It is blanket weather at night at this altitude, about 6000 feet and only a few degrees south of the equator, like a fine spring day year-round. Maleaki has a metal business in the village, making security grills for windows and doors. You can see his handiwork on his house.