When I was about 12 or so, the most visible change in the economy was the coming of mitumba (2nd hand clothing from Europe). Back then, blanket was Raymond, and Rivatex was a household name. Mitumba was the arrival of diversity, which, slowly but surely,affected the economy and influenced culture henceforth. Up until this time, we were comfortable with sandak and ngoma from the bata shoe shop, or the school uniform you had to measure at the local tailor (ours was called Iluli). There was joy in going to the local tailor to measure your uniform the week before schools opened. My reward for passing class 6 exam was the promise that my mother would measure for me a suit, which was far better than my older brother receiving a chicken (which he unfortunately couldnt really take care of). I was happy with the idea that a suit would make me stand out from the rest. However, right before passing the exam and demanding for the suit, mitumba arrived, and a 2nd hand shirt was far affordable than the suit! [to be continued]
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 16:31:23 +0000
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