The Story
Mwimbula (say “Mweem-boo –la” - Mw like in Mwahahahaha, ee like in eek, boo like a ghost and la)
Mwimbula is a Kilungu word for the celebration cow that is slaughtered for a wedding feast. The Mwimbula is provided by the husband’s family for the feast that is held during the wedding festivities. I grew up in Ufipa district of Southwestern Tanzania, East Africa. The people group I grew up among is called the Walungu – and their language is called Kilungu. Because my brothers had cool nicknames I pestered the guys who worked for my dad to give me a nickname, too. So they began calling me Mwimbula. Which made me furious. Who wants to be a cow? A cow slaughtered for a feast, no less!! I wouldn’t let my family use my nickname. My brothers, of course, found it delightful. As did all the workers around our place. Now, as an adult, I recall with fondness my hated nickname. When I decided to start roasting coffee for sale I needed a name. I decided to reclaim my childhood nickname and give it a positive spin. The abundance symbolized by feasting on a whole cow is what I want to focus on. And the party that goes along with the rejoicing at a wedding. To me, coffee is a pleasure. I love the smell, I love the way the green and roasted beans look and feel, I love the smoke from the burning chaff in my roaster, I love the way it makes my hair smell like burnt popcorn, I love grinding and brewing freshly roasted beans, but most of all I like to drink coffee. I want to share the wonder of really fresh coffee with my friends. So how does Mwimbula connect with coffee? Well, they are both a great party waiting to happen!! People gather and eat together at the wedding. Friends gather over a rich cup of coffee. Mwimbula Coffee is the perfect marriage of two ideas. Please do try some! You’ll never want to drink anything else. The logo for Mwimbula Coffee Roasters was designed by my son, Brian. I love that it looks just like the big Tanzanian cows I remember from my childhood. But now it’s my own personal Mwimbula to celebrate. Stay tuned for more stories about cows ... and other tidbits on how I ended up roasting coffee.
