Adila and the Sirocco's Embrace
A brave young herder leads her flock through a fierce desert sandstorm.
From “Fighting Extreme Weather Across Africa” · ages 6–10
Juma and the Cyclone
A young drummer and a wise elder help their island village rebuild after a cyclone.
Read the story
On a group of islands off the coast of East Africa lived Juma, a lively young boy from the Mwani tribe. Among the whispering coconut palms and the dancing blue-green waves, Juma's adventures had a beat all of their own.
These islands are called the Quirimbas archipelago. Each island is like a shining jewel floating in the sea. They were Juma's very own playground. There, the waves danced happily, and the islands whispered secrets to anyone brave enough to explore them.
Young Juma, as snug as a bug in a rug, loved to play his drum. His tunes skipped and twirled across the island, giggling like cheeky fairies. They matched the heartbeat of his people. Oh, how they boomed and hummed! Each rhythm was like a secret language, a happy song for everyone.
Juma felt very close to nature, as close as the old mangrove trees that grew all around the island. His love for nature was as old and strong as the roots of those tall trees.
On the island of Quipaco, Juma was looked after by Remizio, the wise and respected elder. Oh, the stories Remizio knew! He kept the secret stories of their people. With a twinkle in his eye, Remizio would ask Juma to sit beside him. Then he would tell him about their history and traditions. These were never written down, but passed on by word of mouth.
One day, the calm sky changed. Dark, stormy clouds covered it like a thick blanket. The air felt tingly and tense, as if it was warning everyone that a big storm was on its way.
Then the cyclone came, whizzing and banging, whirling and twirling across the islands. What a mess it made! Oh, the chaos! Houses rattled and shook, and roofs flew through the air as if they were playing hopscotch.
Homes and gardens were soaked right through, down to their roots. People worried about how they would earn a living. A flood had crept in like a sneaky trickster, reaching out its watery fingers to grab everything it could.
It wasn't just the houses that were flooded. It was as if the river had decided to play a trick. People's hearts felt heavier than their soggy gardens, and they wondered what would happen next.
In all the chaos, Juma held on tightly to his drum. Its familiar beats made him feel safe and calm.
Old Remizio, the wise man of the village, gathered everyone together. He shared his wonderful secret: using mud to stop the wind from blowing away the roofs of their huts during cyclones.
Remizio's clever words and Juma's lovely music brought the villagers together. Their hearts were as warm as freshly baked pastries. With a twinkle in their eyes and lots of determination, they rebuilt their homes. They also brought joy and hope back into their hearts.
Juma's fingers danced on the drum. His hands moved so fast they were a blur! Every tap and every roll made an amazing beat. He was a true master of the drum. It was a gift from the spirits of his ancestors.
Words to learn
- Archipelago
- A group of islands close together.
- Cyclone
- A giant spinning storm with very strong winds and heavy rain. It starts over warm sea water.
- Drum
- A musical instrument you beat with your hands or sticks. Drums are used to share music and messages.
- Elder
- An older, wise person who is respected in the community.
- Flood
- When lots of water covers land that is usually dry.
- Mangroves
- Trees that grow in salty water along the coast. Their tangled roots protect the land from big waves.
- Mwani
- A people who live on the coast and islands of northern Mozambique.
- Quirimbas
- A group of islands off the coast of Mozambique, in East Africa.
- Rhythm
- The pattern of beats in music.
- Traditions
- Ways of doing things that families pass on from grandparents to grandchildren.
What would you do?
Remizio's mud kept the roofs on, and Juma's music kept spirits high. If a cyclone was coming to your island, what would you do?
- Help make the roof strong and tie down loose things Just like Remizio's secret! Strong roofs and tied-down things stay put in strong winds.
- Pack an emergency bag with water, food and a torch Well prepared! An emergency bag helps your family if the power goes off or you need to leave.
- Stay inside, away from windows, until it is safe Very wise! Flying things can break windows. Wait until grown-ups say the storm is over.
- Plant and protect mangroves along the shore Brilliant! Mangrove roots slow down big waves and protect the coast from cyclones.
More stories from this book
Bikyezi and Kagote against the Tropical Deluge
Two friends and a gentle gorilla protect the rainforest from a great flood.