Shengena Forest and Bibi Nanguji met on these pare mountains way before the turn of the century around 1890 and have never parted ever since. Here we learn about this everlasting love which has lasted over 120 years and is still running strong in this new millennium. Bibi Nanguji saw many things in her life and one of her great memories is Shengena forest with all its mist which include traditional medicine, great rivers and Wapare ceremonies. She still remembers how the Germans taught them how to preserve the forest for future generations and she wishes this organization of UNDP biodiversity project will do more to continue preserving the forest and the environment. Bib Nanguji and her husband Mzee Kisaka donated a good chunk of land for school education in 1937 and personally planted three acres of trees near the boundary of the forest which is now known as Chome Primary School and Chome SDA Secondary School.

The one thing she remember most is her early education from missionaries sent to Chome by the Germans. These Germans particularly the one known as bwana MISHEN taught her how to read. She first had to learn the syllables a,e,i.o,u. after she had mastered that she moved to the rest of the letters as we know them today A, B, C ---- Z. Surprisingly enough Bibi Nanguji  still remembers her alphabet as it was yesterday. She still can call the letters a loud at this age. She also learned arithmetic's so that she would  be able to use her knowledge for commerce and trading her goods. This knowledge has been useful to her that to date she still wants to count for herself how much money you have given her. She has always insisted to all the people she meets on the importance of attending school, so the no one can be cheated in life. She has always wished to have continued with her education, but something else came up. Her mini stories was aired by Radio One FM interviewed by Mwanaidi Mkwizu on Sunday August 5th 2001.

BIBI NANGUJI FALLS IN LOVE

Bibi Nanguji as any other growing girl when doing house chores went to fetch water when she met this young man called KISAKA. He was a matured man as he some how joked with her (NINEKUVOA) meaning I would like to marry you. She said I laughed since i was still a school girl, but I turned around and told him Mr. Kisaka, You know Bwana Mishen does not play games when it comes to school girls marrying, what about that? He insisted that he would present himself to him, and ask him. She said this was done before her parents  knew about her plans to get married, She feared Bwana Mishen more that her parents because he was very strict when it comes to marrying a school girl. She said one morning she was called by Bwana Mishen, and to her surprise MR. Kisaka was there. She was asked to undress the top parts of her garment, known as mduara for inspection. This inspection was done to all married age girls to see if their breast s were fully developed enough on their chest, signifying the sign of maturity.
If your chest was not was not fill enough bwana Mishen would refuse the request of you getting married. If your chest showed a good sign of maturity then you were allowed to go home and excused from all school work for marriage. But before you were given permission, the proposing party had to face some questions. DO YOU REALLY LOVE HER. THEY MUST ANSWER YES ON THEIR OWN to bwana Mishen. She said he repeated to the fellows more then once for the genuine answer. If the answer satisfied him you were escorted home and handed over  to you parents, At this point she was excited to start her new life. Bibi Nanguji  made sure that all her children received formal education and is very proud of one of her sons who became a doctor, Dr. John Kisaka. Today Bibi Nanguji at the age of 120 still enjoys a strong constitution which he attributes to a good vegetarian diet and the natural herbs from Shengena Forest. Bibi Nanguji still enjoys receiving guests who can be accommodated at Kisaka Villa Inn - Chome. When visiting Kisaka Villas you should not miss viewing her 200 year old cooling pot given to her by her grandmother.

German Officials remembered by Bibi Nanguji:
BWANA BALI - MAKANYA
BWABA MISHEN - VUDEE GONJA LUTHERAN
BWANA ROTTER AND WIFE SUZIE - MAMBA
BWANA MONARO - built the water dam on the forest and irrigation system
LUTHERAN CHURCH STRATED IN CHOME 1919
SEVENTH - DAY ADVENTIST STARTED IN 1903

STORY BY CLEVELAND KISAKA ON BEHALF OF BIBI NANGUJI
PRESENTED TO UNDP BIODIVERSITY PROJECT.