If you ever visit the remote areas of Meru during the month of April or June, you will most be likely see cave-like structure made on the ground using long sticks. You won't know their use until in the afternoon hours when you will see people covering them with blankets or banana leaves. After a while they will walk away with bags of black insect with white feathers-the termites. Don't mistake that for insanity.
While many Kenyans complain of meat price that has sky-rocketed over the recent past years,Merians have discovered a natural source of protein. Until of over the recent past,many people have been associating Nthûya (as the call them) with the less privileged. They have however found their way to local markets and towns with a full glass going for ksh.20
The Godly-given meat do not get out of the ground any day. The previous night of the day must have rained heavily and preferably accompanied by thunderstorms. The catching experts have however not allowed short dry spell to limit them.They have improvised their way of 'cheating' them. You will meet them in the morning drumming objects on the ground around the region they have occupied. The termites mistake the noise made for thurders.
Speaking to one of resident(found catching) he confirmed that on a fine day he is able to sell over one hundred glasses of fried termites. He refuted the claim that its a shoddy job. He termed it as a job like any other.
The highly nutritious insects however have their draw backs. Besides being seasonal,the ants that come along with them are full time . They can easily fall your house while feasting on woods. They also hardly allow sugarcanes to grow.
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