Gumbao

By Steve Braker

Gumbao Bio

Fisherman / Huslter / Soldier

Born: No one knows (Maybe early 50s)

Place of Birth: Mombasa Old Town

Mother: Not Known

Education: School of Life

Gumbao is one of the people that we all admire in one way or another. He is carefree and truly understands life is a fleeting moment in time.

Gumbao only has one change of clothes on board Shukran. He has no shoes and a disdain for money. Although he loves gambling.

Gumbao was left on the Mombasa Old Town Mission for Seamen steps. His mother was most likely a prostitute that worked the old town fishing port. He was brought up by the missionaries. As soon as he could he left the confines of the mission school and started hustling and begging in Mombasa. He worked the streets taking money from tourists and Swahilis alike. When he was about ten years old a fisherman caught him stealing from his boat and locked him in the hold. The fisherman let Gumbao out when they were way out at sea. Gumbao settled into the life of a fisherman and enjoyed it.

He stayed with the captain for a few years and then became lost in Mozambique where he accidentally became a child soldier. I have been wanting to explore this side of Gumbao for a while and will write a book about his exploits.

Gumbao is a born sailor and fisherman, his body is worn. His hands are callused and tough. He is naturally strong, and he thinks he is a Lou from Lake Victoria in fact when he was younger, he met some Lous who, one evening after a lot of alcohol, talked him into knocking his front two teeth out as all Lou men during their coming of age rituals. Gumbao has premature white hair which he keeps closely cropped to his head. He normally has bloodshot eyes as he has a special talent for finding alcohol ( pombe) anywhere they land.

I introduce Gumbao in African Slaver, but he does not really play a role. Then at the end of African Treasure, I start to introduce him for real. In African Paradise, I start to grow his character. I like to think of Gumbao as a guy who does not care too much about anything, but when the chips are down he will stand by his friends. He enjoys Brody’s company because of the constant adventure with the carefree attitude. In African Ivory, Gumbao takes his first real role as a fighter and deals with several of the poachers. He also shows his skills with the locals when Brody gets tied up by some kids. I enjoy building Gumbao as he is an enigma, he reminds me of many people I have met here in East Africa. He has a past, but he does not live his past he is always moving forwards.

In African Vengeance, I start to portray Gumbao as a real fighter as I want him to become interesting to my readers. Then in African Jinn he started taking more and more of a role in the life of the boat and comes up with ideas for the crew. I also allude to his past when a Maganga, a witch doctor, talks about him being drenched in blood.

The name Gumbao was taken from an old friend I had when I arrived here in Kenya. He was not exactly the same as my Gumbao, but he was a great seaman and overall an honest guy. We sailed together for many years along the coast of Kenya and Tanzania. I will always remember him fondly we could be on a boat for days on end and not speak more than ten words. The silence suited both of us!