A Day in Narok while attending the Wikimania Conference in Nairobi, Kenya

A Day in Narok while attending the Wikimania Conference in Nairobi, Kenya

August 10, 2025

Yesterday, on the final day of the Wikimania 2025 Conference, we traveled to Narok far from the conference halls and manicured surroundings of our event venue. At the invitation of Simon Parkesui, we traveled to Narok, an Ogiek community located in the Great Rift Valley.

I first met Simon 16 years ago at the United Nations Indigenous Peoples’ Forum in 2009, where he represented the Ogiek. His voice was focused on the needs of his community, land rights, preservation of their culture and the Mau forest. He is still rooted in his mission.

The drive to Narok took us away from the bustle of Nairobi’s into open landscapes, where the altitude was higher and the air was fresh. As we arrived, the first thing I noticed was the contrast—by the standards of infrastructure, Narok might be called “poor.” Many of the buildings are simple and in need of repair, the roads unpaved and worn. My eyes were drawn to something else: movement, economics, and life.

Small businesses lined the roadsides and paths at the Narok market. There were hundreds of them tailored to the needs of the community and for tourists, women selling fresh vegetables, jewelry, mobile phone kiosks, food stalls selling roasted maize into the air. The rhythm of commerce was everywhere, vibrant and unpretentious.

It struck me that there was more visible small-business activity here than I often see in many Black communities in the United States. Narok’s economy was woven directly into daily life, with services and goods created right where people lived. It was local, immediate, and community-driven.

There was hustle and bustle, —but not the kind fueled by frantic competition or corporate marketing. Instead, it was like a web of necessity and ingenuity, where everyone’s contribution had a place. People were not just earning a living—they were sustaining one another.

As we walked through the Narok market, I thought about how easily outsiders might overlook such a place, seeing only unpaved roads and structures needing repair. But if you listen closely, there is a different story—one of self-reliance, of resourcefulness, and of a community quietly shaping its own future.

Leaving Narok, I carried with me more than photographs. I carried the reminder that resilience often grows in places the world calls “lacking,” and that the true wealth of a community is not only in its roads and buildings, but in the ways its people meet each other’s needs.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

From Harlem to Dakar to St. Louis: The WikiExplorers go to the St Louis Jazz Festival

December 14, 2025

Image

WikiExplorers go to Senegal, a children’s story for ages 10–12, to learn about their shared history in music. From Harlem to Dakar to St. Louis: The WikiExplorers Travel to Senegal Ten WikiExplorers sat in a circle on the classroom floor in Harlem, laptops open, backpacks half-zipped, and ready to fly across the Atlantic Ocean to Dakar, Senegal. “Dakar is right here,” said Amina, pointing at the map on her screen. “And St. Louis is way up north,” Malik added. “It used to be the capital of Senegal!” They were traveling to Senegal to attend a jazz festival in St. Louis, a city known for its music, rivers, and beautiful old buildings. Their assignment was special: learn about the shared history of African and African American music, find knowledge gaps on Wikipedia, and help fill them—with words, photos, and interviews. None of the children had ever been to Africa before. But Africa didn’t feel far away. Research Before the Journey Before the trip, the WikiExplorers met ...

Edgar Cayce’s prophecy and African Americans

September 22, 2025

Edgar Cayce, sometimes called the “Sleeping Prophet,” gave thousands of psychic readings in the early 20th century. Much of his work focused on health, spirituality, and esoteric subjects like Atlantis, but in his life readings he also spoke about the destiny and role of various groups of people in history—including African Americans. Cayce’s prophecy and his views as they relate to African American history: 1. Spiritual Destiny of African Americans Cayce suggested that African Americans carried a deep spiritual mission. He often spoke of “souls” incarnating in different races and regions to fulfill certain purposes. About Black people in America, he indicated that they held a role in bringing balance, humility, and spiritual renewal to a world overly focused on materialism. He stated that African Americans would play a key role in the spiritual awakening of America . He connected their history of suffering and resilience with a kind of spiritual refinement—what he descri...

What's missing in New York City’s current political conversation.

October 24, 2025

What's missing in New York City’s current political conversation and race for mayor While much of the world — from Singapore, South Korea, and Finland to parts of Africa and the Middle East — is pivoting toward innovation-driven economies, many of New York’s current political candidates (including Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa) are speaking in reactive, not visionary, economic terms. New York City Needs an Innovation Vision The Global Shift Across the globe, cities and nations are redefining what drives their economies. They’re no longer relying on industrial output or traditional services but are building innovation-driven economies — ecosystems that combine research, technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship to generate new industries and sustainable prosperity. Singapore has invested in innovation districts and research hubs linking academia with industry. Finland transformed its post-industrial economy through design, technology, and education. China and In...

Theme images by Galeries

My photo

Adjoa

I have been involved in agro ecology and eco farming since 2000. I have worked closely with the Permaculture Institute in Ghana since 2008. A founding member of the Black Farmers and Urban Growers Conference. I am also a yearly supporter of the Kwanzaa film festival for five years. I participate by. advertising, and part of panel discussions. A volunteer Wikipedia since 2015, content provider and wiki mentor.

Visit profile

Search This Blog

Living Forest Curriculum with the Ogiek