BABU GOA
And The Stones in My Garden ⬗ 2nd August, 2026
Glossary:
babu = Kiswahili for grandfather, kind form of address for an elderly man
Our new house was overlooking the village and the bay. The gate had been built already but the fence was not yet completely
finished. The garden was a mess and I decided to give it some care. I weeded it and removed the stones. The good-looking ones
I used for framing the parking lot and the walkways, as is custom in Tanzania. I proceeded slowly, as I found the time.
One day, when my wife and I returned home, I noticed that the job had been finished.
All the paths and the car-park had a nice stone lining. But who could have completed the work?
I did not have to wait long for an answer. The next day Babu Goa came to my office. After the usual exchange of greetings he asked me,
„Alexi, umeona? - Alex, have you noticed?“
„Nimeona nini? - Noticed what?“
„Mawe ya bustani yako! - The stones in your garden!“
„Eheh! Naelewa sasa! - Ahh! Now I understand!“
His face turned into a wide and friendly smile.
„Nice, isn’t it?“ he asked.
„Very nice indeed,“ I replied. „Was it you who finished my work?“
He nodded his head and grinned.
„Nakushukuru sana! - I thank you very much!“ I said. Babu Goa came a little closer.
„Some pay?“ he asked, rubbing the index finger against the thumb.
„Oh! You expect pay!?“ He nodded his head. As if I hadn’t known it already.
„Ah, Babu Goa!“ I said, putting a lot of weight on his name „Goa“, smiling at him. „Tell me, Babu, did I ask you to do this for me?“
„Hapana. - No,“ he admitted.
„And how did you get into my garden?“
"Through the fence,“ he answered.
„Eheh! Is it custom in Tanzania that visitors climb through the fence? Do they not request admission by calling ‚Hodi!‘ first,
and when there is no answer, they return at a more opportune time?“
„Ndiyo. - Yes,“ he said.
„So you understand that I cannot possibly pay you for your work. I will consider it as a favour you have done for me,
not holding against you that you let yourself in through my fence. But thank you for your zawadi (gift).“
I felt very sorry for him as he left my office. I knew his circumstances well. He was my age - a bit over 60 at that time - and he came to the project farm each working day to work for a few shillings, which at that time was about two Euros. He really was in need. But I chose not to simply give him the money. I did not want to support the habit of unsolicited work. Neither did I want to encourage that my private premises were open to the public. Yet, visitors were always welcome when they approached in the culturally proper way.
Some days later Babu Goa asked me if I wanted to buy fresh madafu (young coconut) from him. I happily agreed. And I bought from him on a regular basis from then on. This way I could help him, his dignity was preserved and he understood that I did not want to be used. Occasionally I did give him some extra money as well. However, I explicitly said it is a personal gift, to avoid that it becomes an expectation.
Coming to a foreign culture, you might find it difficult to do the right thing in a given situation. Remember, your own feelings in that situation bias your attitude and your decisions. Set them aside for some time and try to think clearly. Ask an experienced colleague or a native friend for advice in that situation. Ask what is culturally appropriate, and have the courage to meet such challenges. It may be hard but it will help you find your place in society.
Alexander Breitenbach
Photo: "Babu Goa", by Alexander Breitenbach
