Collapse of ancient acacia tree breaks hearts in N. Kenya

Villagers in a remote area in Balambala, Garissa County in Kenya's Northeastern region, are mourning the sudden "death" of an ancient tree.

The three centuries-old acacia tree with branches spanning 18-square feet has served as a communal centre, a make-shift hospital and a social meeting point, where far-reaching political declarations affecting the well-being of the Somali community, have been made for centuries.

"The acacia tree had big branches and offered very cool shade," remarked Dr. Ismail Arte Rage, Nutritional Manager with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in South Sudan.

Rage recalled the acacia tree's historical significance to the local community over a period spanning some 320 years, during which, significant events were conducted under the same tree.

In a semi-desert region with temperatures usually above-normal, hundreds of people would meet to transact various businesses under the acacia tree simultaneously.

On one side, women sold a variety of goods. On the other side of the same tree, community elders conferred daily on serious and important communal matters.

The sad feeling over the sudden drying up of the acacia tree was so severe for the residents of Saka location in Garissa County. The residents of Saka location decided that in order to "mourn the death" of the acacia tree, the community would declare 30 days of mourning.

During the same period and in respect of the collapsed ancient tree, which still holds significant historical value, the community would strive to preserve the acacia tree branches.

"People have agreed to mourn the "death" of the tree for the next 30 days starting today. The mourning will be done different from the one usually observed when someone dies. It would involve offering respect to the tree by not using its branches as firewood," said Adan Yusuf Bute, a former local government official and area Councilor.

Bute, who formerly chaired Garissa County Council, said many residents of Saka town and its environs were shocked by the news of the falling of the tree.

The gigantic tree miraculously split in the middle and collapsed in a heap.

A boy and his mother, selling milk beside the tree, were slightly injured on the head. Several shops nearby were also damaged slightly when the tree came tumbling down.

Local community members took to the social media to offer "condolences" after the tree's end of an era fate. The tree was centrally located at the centre of the Saka town. It was known in the entire northeastern region as "Duuq mawaye" (the elders host).

Dr. Rage, remembered the community using the tree as an open air hospital, where out-patient medical programs were conducted.

"I felt like I lost a close relative when I heard about the collapse of the tree. I recall vividly how I was treated under that tree. We used to sing for government dignitaries in early 1970s, when I was schoolboy under the same tree," Rage said.

The significance of the tree was also felt by the government officials, who used its shade as a free tent. It was from the same tree under which government officials made important pronouncements such as the launching of polio immunization campaigns.

The last national function which was held under the tree was on Dec. 12, when the nation marked its 52nd anniversary of independence from British rule.

Community members said the tree has historical significance spanning centuries. The Somali community once convened under the same tree to make their self-determination claims.

According to the community elders, some of the notable decision was made in the early 1960s, including the anonymous declaration for secession of the Somali community.

Several other political declarations were slated to be made under canopy of the tree. Those decisions have been cancelled as residents began their 30 days of mourning of the legendary tree. Endit