The Tree houses of Mbeere

I remember growing up I loved going up the little hideouts. Tree houses are such a nice place to hang out and very ideal for spying on any intruders. But the reason why they are built is to serve as a lookout for farmers at night. Often times you will find someone climbing up the tree house, usually built on the tallest tree on their farm late in the evening. From there, they are able to see any predators and chase then away from their crop.

But as kids growing up that was not how we used tree houses. Instead we would climb up there to escape the daily chores at home and remain hidden amongst the leafy hideout. I remember we would even take up our play things and continue to play up there on the tree. A tree house is made of trunks that are laid out across the tree branches. In those days there would be a hide (goat skin) spread out to cushion one from any discomfort (as if it would).

And so of hours would pass in our little hideout and I can tell you that nothing beats taking a nap with the wind swaying the branches on a tree house. For some reason we were not allowed up the tree house as kids which made it even more appealing to us.

Back to the real use of a tree house. Come nightfall, wild animals like to come out to feed on farm crops. These include wild hare, antelopes and wild pigs. Occasionally a leopard would also pass by in search of prey. At such a time a farmer might have to use his bows and arrows to fend off any attack of the wild animal and protect his life. The farmer relies mainly on instinct and a sharp sense of hearing to know of a visit from the wild.

It was not unusual to have a snake come up the tree and curl up under the goat skin. Mainly it would go unnoticed since it did not disturb the farmer perched up on the tree house. It was rumored that a particular species of snake specially liked to curl up to sleeping humans for warmth. I never heard of anyone who got bitten by a snake while on a tree house though (perhaps the snakes knew were trespassing).

A few tree houses remain to date. However, the very idea of lounging among the branches holds so much intrigue to the younger generation who have not had the privilege of seeing a tree house let alone going up one. That is just part of the dying culture of the Ambeere not to mention the grinding stones that were used to make real healthy ready to eat/drink porridge. But that is a story for another day.