Category Archives: East central Africa

. . . And Then the Rains Came: Coping in Kajaga Village

Posted on 27/04/2013 by dianabuja

Unusually heavy rains have caused havoc across much of east Africa, displacing thousands of people and damaging important infrastructure… In Burundi, flood-affected areas include the northwestern region of Bubanza, Bujumbura City and the plains of Imbo along the shores of … Continue reading →

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Posted in Africa-East, African rice, Climate Change, East central Africa, Humanitarian Assistance, Livestock, Mud brick houses, Rusizi River ^ Wetlands | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

The Social Life of Beans in Burundi – Part 1

Posted on 01/03/2013 by dianabuja

Dry beans are the most important food in Burundi.  Being Burundian is associated with beans – their growing, processing, sales and eating.  Consumption of beans  cuts across all socioeconomic and ethnic lines in the country; they are a truly unifying, … Continue reading →

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Posted in Africa-Central, Africa-General, Agriculture, Burundi, Colonialism, Crop harvests, Cuisine, East central Africa, Social Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Kitties in Africa, Past and Present

Posted on 17/02/2013 by dianabuja

With the new year upon us, I look back at the animals I brought here from Kenya.  That included: 3 cats, 2 dogs, my 2 horses, and a van-load of Alpine and Boer breeding goats for our restocking and herd upgrading … Continue reading →

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Posted in Africa-East, Cats, East central Africa, Pets, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Post-War Peace on the Shores of Lake Tanganyika: Riding High!

Posted on 12/02/2013 by dianabuja

Civil war officially ended in Burundi in 2006.  For several years thereafter, there have been sporadic fights and attacks, but these, too, have dwindled to almost ‘zero’. What changes has a blanket of peace brought?  This blog concentrates on post-war activities on the … Continue reading →

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Posted in Africa-Central, After the War, Development, East central Africa, Environment, Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika2, Imbo Plain, Lake Tanganyika, Living here, Rusizi River ^ Wetlands | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Happened to the Black Mamba in the Bathroom

Posted on 15/09/2012 by dianabuja

We don’t know.  A group of villagers came over and searched everywhere in the house, but snakes are so clever at finding small places to hide… On the other hand, one of the folks pointed out that snakes are pretty good at … Continue reading →

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Posted in Burundi, East central Africa, European explorers, Explorers & exploration, Food, Living here, Pets, Richard Burton, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Work and Life During The War Years in Burundi. 2004

Posted on 19/01/2012 by dianabuja

From time to time I will be posting emails that i wrote during the war years to  friends and colleagues in other countries regarding our goat project and security and life in general – especially 2002 – 2006. Events have … Continue reading →

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Posted in Africa-Central, Burundi, Cuisine, Dairy goats, East central Africa, Goat farmer, Goats, Lake Tanganyika, Livestock, Living here, War Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Batwa Pots in Burundi: Traditional Clay Pot Cuisine, Pt. 1 of 2

Posted on 25/10/2011 by dianabuja

 [First posted in 2009, Updated 25 October 2011] The Batwa pygmies of central Africa were the earliest inhabitants of the area, being later joined by Bantu agriculturalists who migrated over time from West Africa. As hunter-gathers, theirs has been a … Continue reading →

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Posted in Africa-General, Batwa, Burundi, Colonialism, Cuisine, East central Africa, Environment, Explorers & exploration, Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika2, Humanitarian Assistance, Pottery production, Technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments