When you find us chewing on those roots called mulondo, don't think that they are easy to come by.
The boy child has suffered.
On this particular day, the city is not much crowded, as Sundays always turn out to be. I bumped into the young man selling emilondo, it is my
chance to strike.
I quickly inquire about the prices. But before we can complete the transaction, a damsel turned into our direction. I snatched the root from the guy, hurled a coin to the young man and dashed off off into a waiting matatu, just around the corner.
However, before I could settle in the back seat of the matatu, the young man was right there too. It seems he was following after me.
He banged on the window demanding for his money with basic insults being directed toward me. Well, I didn't know that it was a 5 franc Swiss coin that I cast to him in haste.
All passengers turned to look at me with judgement written over their faces.
"You pay for the man's mulondo; how can you rob him of a mere 500 shillings?
Kale me, who had secretly wanted to acquire this magic tuber, my transaction suddenly turned into a matter of public scrutiny. Then a guy who looked to be in his early 30s poked in, "oba whose daughter is going to suffer this today?" which sent other passengers into a frenzy of laughter.
Within me, I garnered all the confidence to explain myself, justify my purchase and win respect of the people who I thought were judging me harshly. I did that for the rest of the short trip.
As we approached Nsooba stage, my destination, the conductor casually referred to as, "musajja w'omulondo, kwata balance wo."
Jumping out of the matatu, I could feel relief of the humiliation; it was only then that I remembered that I had forgotten my kaveera in the taxi; in the kaveera was my new pair socks, popcorn and my mulondo. The car had drove off.
Since then, I gave up on buying mulondo!
Below is a post from Daily Monitor about the Mulondo, also known as mondia whytei.
https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/life/ugandans-search-for-prowess-and-virility-1528362
the myth that Mulondo roots improve sex performances are based on the tuber’s shape. “The Mulondo are long and erect,” he says. “That shape made people start thinking that it can make men stronger. In fact, when most men are buying the roots, they choose those roots, which are long and straight. But truth be told, these roots don’t have any (virile) effect ,” he added.
Instead, the roots have a set of unrelated health benefits, which still make them attractive. “Eating this root will for instance help you have better breath, say in case you did not brush your teeth. Most people who eat them however, do it because they (roots) can improve your appetite (for food). They have a way of making you feel hungry very fast, so for people who are sickly and do not want to eat, the mulondo can help.” The roasted coffee seeds do not have any virile effect either but instead help restore appetite levels.
This tweet by Dr Kasenene may help give insight into the herb: https://twitter.com/drpaulkasenene/status/1285099641097379842
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