Kilimanjaro

The weather cleared enough to see the two main peaks of Kilimanjaro. The largest is called Kibo and has a beautiful snowy appearance.

The other peak is Mawenzi, and has a more rugged appearance. Even on a clear day it is hard to see the features - usually it looks like a dark rock.

There is a story about Kibo and Mawenzi and why they are so different.....

Once upon a time there were twin sisters named Kibo and Mawenzi. Both sisters were very beautiful, but quite different in personality. Kibo was hard-working and conscientious, while Mawenzi was lazy and irresponsible.

In time both sisters married and had families of their own. One day, Mawenzi irresponsibly let her cooking fire go out (this is as serious as putting a dent in the family car). Mawenzi went to see her sister Kibo to obtain a burning piece of charcoal to start her cooking fire. Kibo gave it to her in a container and told her to go home quickly before it went out. Mawenzi started home, but along the way she met her friends and started talking. The talked for so long that the fire went out, so Mawenzi had to return to her sister.

Kibo was upset that Mawenzi had let the fire go out, but gave her another and admonished her strongly not to let it go out again. Again Mawenzi started for home, but this time she stopped to rest and fell asleep beside the road, where the fire went out again.

Once more, Mawenzi returned to her sister Kibo for another fire. But this time Kibo was so angry at Mawenzi's irresponsibility that she grabbed a mwiko (a large wooden spoon used for cooking) and chased Mawenzi home while beating her on the head.

And that is why Kibo is so beautiful and Mawenzi is so ugly.