Moroto Shopping

In the centre of the main drag in Moroto there is a large tree and underneath this tree during daytime you will see a few blokes selling wooden stools of various sizes. I always fancied one of the small stools that you see Karamojong and Turkana blokes walking around with that they use for pillows/neck rests as well as stools to sit on in the middle of the bush.

I asked the price of the stool then told the guy selling them I'd go and have some breakfast. When I came from the cafe the guy was waiting for me and immediately offered the stool to me at a lower price 2,000 UGX, a bargain I thought so I bought it. This is the one on the left in the photo.

About half an hour later a bloke approached me in the street and offered me his own well worn stool which was a slightly different shape This was a much better stool that was varnished not with conventional varnish but the Karamajong rub in mzigo (ghee) to give the stools a nice veneer and also give it added strength (this the stool on the right). We haggled and I evetually parted with 3'500 UGX for the stool. The old boy seemed more than delighted with the deal and so was I.

What to buy: The blanket that they are laid out on, I also bought in Moroto. That was bought from a stall in the small market that is in the main drag that sells all manufactured goods rather than the larger market the other side of town that specializes in fresh produce.

The blanket is Kenyan made and cost me 9,500 UGX.