Deep in the remote wilderness of central Africa, a tragic and raw scene unfolded—one that reflects both the harsh reality of survival and the age-old relationship between humans and nature. The phrase “Yakukayali eaten – Nyani yukotayali kuliwa” echoes through the local villages, telling the story of monkeys that have been hunted and consumed for food.
In many rural areas, hunting monkeys is not seen as cruelty, but as necessity. The forest provides what people need to survive—meat, fruit, firewood. When hunger strikes, tradition and survival instinct guide the hand. The monkey, known as “nyani” in many local dialects, often becomes the target due to its availability and the protein it offers.
On this particular day, a group of hunters moved silently through the forest. They were skilled, blending into the green world like shadows. A loud cry rang out as a trap snapped shut. A monkey had been caught—its frightened eyes wide with fear, not understanding what had happened. It struggled, but escape was impossible. Soon, it was carried back to the village where the elders would prepare it as food.
As the fire crackled and the cooking began, the younger villagers gathered around, some with curiosity, others with hunger in their eyes. The smell of roasted meat filled the air, a signal that the meal was nearly ready. Though many outsiders may see this as sad or cruel, for the villagers, it is part of life—yakukayali eaten, as they say.
But amid the fire and the feast, not all eyes were joyful. A baby monkey had witnessed its mother taken, hiding in the trees, frozen in fear. The loss for that young one was immense—a broken bond, a cry left unheard. While survival continues for one species, it costs dearly for another.
The phrase “Nyani yukotayali kuliwa” is more than just words. It is a truth of the land—a reminder that in nature, life and death dance closely, and survival often comes with sorrow.
