Kesho [Keh-show] is an ever-present word in Tanzania. Literally, it means tomorrow. But it means so much more than that, too.
Kesho can mean that you have no idea when something will occur. BP attendant: We’re out of petrol today. Me: When will the tanker arrive so that I can fill up my car? BP attendant: Kesho The word can also be used quite effectively when procrastinating. H: When will you be finished translating this document into Swahili? Colleague: Kesho You can say kesho to get out of saying “no” to people. Question from an acquaintance at the market: When are you going to buy me a bicycle? Me: Kesho The whole point of kesho is that it’s a tomorrow that may never really come. It took a little trial and error until we understood the subtler meanings of kesho. For example, I actually went to the gas station day after day until I clued into the idea that “tomorrow” referred to a general idea of passing time, not a specific twenty-four hour period. Once we grasped the concept, we’ve found lots of situations where the principle of kesho can be usefully applied. Perhaps you also have circumstances in your life for which it’s best to look at a question and say with confidence, “kesho.”
