Tamani Spring: A bull’s discoveryFresh, clean drinking water is one of the most fundamental needs of any community in the fight to prevent disease, sickness and even death. As such, it has a significant impact on the health of children.
Tamani Spring, in the Meru North District of Kenya, is a sacred place for the Ameru people. Situated in Tamani forest and surrounded by Tamani hills, the spring was originally inaccessible. Many people, fearing the wild animals, would only pass near the forest when taking their cattle to drink nearby.
According to legend, one particular bull often got lost in the forest. Every time, thinking it smelt water, the bull would dig at the ground with its horns. One day, the bull’s owner followed the animal into the forest and found it drinking water oozing from the hill. He immediately went back and told everyone of the bull’s discovery – water!
Traditional rituals were performed at Tamani Spring. Boys being initiated into adulthood were cleansed in the Tamani holy waters, women used it as a place of prayer for protection against disease and misfortune and elders sacrificed rams to bring rain during drought seasons.
The large numbers of people drawing water from Tamani Spring and cattle drinking here have left it badly damaged. Even though people and animals drink from the pool, it is not certain whether the water is safe for drinking. Worse still, both animals and people drink from the same place.
The Njuri Ncheke – the Council of Elders of the Ameru people – asked Plan for help to rehabilitate the Spring. When the project was completed, there were trenches and pipes, a water storage tank, four cattle troughs and a public drinking point.
With water shortage a serious problem in the area, the community is now replacing the eucalyptus trees, which consume a lot of water, with indigenous trees. Over 4000 seedlings have already been planted with more planned next season. The community will also dig a cut-off drain around the pool to prevent rainwater from damaging it, and build a fence around the area. To ensure sustainability, a maintenance fee of $0.013 per 20-litre can of water will also be charged.
Tamani Spring is saved for future generations.
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