Pickenins

Whenever we drive outside of Harare, we pass by tons of little mini-villages comprising of 5 or 6 huts about 10 yards from the road. There are always little kids waving from their make shift soccer games, or other creative methods of entertainment, and they squeal in delight when we wave back at them. They are called Pickenins. Little did we know they can also save your life.

When we were driving to Nyanga, Mandy told us a story of how a man was driving along the same road in the 70’s. Roadside bombs and mines were still an issue then (as they are in many other parts of Africa) as a result of the Bush War so one couldn’t be too sure when they drove. As he was about to go over a hill he drove past a group of kids on the side of the road, they wall were waving, and giggling. He waved back, and then happened to glance through the rear view mirror to see their reaction. Much to his surprise instead of just scrambling off into the bush like they usually did, they all covered their ears and giggled.

He slammed on the breaks, and skidded to a halt at the crest of the hill. Just a few yards away was a land mine, completely hidden to motorists beneath the line of sight from the top of the road.

Moral of the story? Never drive on dirt roads in Zimbabwe during the 1970’s.