Matatu
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Matatu is the Swahili word for any of various models of public transport vehicle which ply East African roads, generally 10–30-passenger buses and vans. The term was first used in Kenya, and is usually understood to have its meaning in this country. Although Tanzanians and Ugandans understand the meaning of the word, they have their own words (such as daladala) to describe the same thing.
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Origin of the word
The origin of the word is attributed to different sources. One is that it is derived from the Swahili word tatu, meaning three: when matatus made their first appearance in the late 1960s, the standard charge for a trip was three cents.
The word matatu draws allusions both to the physical appearance of the vehicles, and to the culture and peculiar practices that are associated with the mostly privately owned mass transport business.
Matatu decoration
Until 31 January, 2004, when the Kenyan government enforced new laws to regulate the matatu sector, matatu vehicles were, characteristically, painted colourfully. Pictures and caricatures of anything in current vogue were common. If, for example, Beyonce's single was at number 1, you might easily find a matatu named after her or her song, with her picture prominent on both the inside and outside of the matatu.
Matatu culture
There was also what could be described as a 'matatu culture'. The business was cut-throat and after quick profits. All kinds of anti-social practices were directly linked to the matatu business.
- Widespread bribery of traffic policemen
- Misleading of young school girls into having sexual relations with drivers or crew of matatus. The girls were attracted to the macho image of these people and the wild reckless lifestyle
- Petty crime: Outright theft from passengers, overcharging, pickpocketing, physical assault, verbal abuse and general intimidation of the travelling public.
Peculiar practices
- Dangerous driving, speeding, overtaking, obstruction, all in order to ferry the maximum number of passengers between two points as fast as possible and with maximum profit
- Cramming passengers into matatus like sardines, with little care for their comfort or attention to common decency
- A common phrase used when loading passengers in the vans is "kaa square" (literally: sit square). This means that even if the vehicle is full there is always room for two more people. This can be an uncomfortable or even painful experience.
- Any belonging too large to fit inside with passegers were placed in a roof-rack. It was not uncommon to see surprisingly large towers of luggage, burlap sacks, crates of soda, etc. The combined weight of people and effects would severely compress the rear axle and ultimately create a rather unstable vehicle.