Alama, a nomad from the northern desert, sets out on a walk accompanied by Koko Kigongo, his walking stick. Along the journey, he meets women and men who are on a similar walk to find the Source of Peace. Like Alama, they are troubled by post-independence violence due to greed, misrule and corruption. Yet, the elders know that the Source of Peace lies in indigenous knowledge that lives in memories of every community of Yeta. But why can they not have peace? The dilemma confronts Alama. When they meet, the elders exchange their walking sticks and stories.
Alama’s walk is inspired by the author ethnographer’s journey into the world of material culture, stories and nature that describe utu, Swahili for ‘being mtu’ or simply ‘being human’.
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