BOOGIE MAN?

I visited Zanzibar in 2006 and went across to the non-touristy side of the island in a local transport which progressively redefined the word 'full'. On arrival I wandered along a beautiful beach area and local children squealed and scattered to hide behind various coconut palms. The brave ones would peek out briefly to see where I was. I called out 'Habari' but they didn't respond. When I found the place I was staying I asked the

owner what was the story with the kids, they usually don't run away. He said that when the kids won't go to bed when they are told, the parents say that if they don't go to bed they will get the Mzungu (white person) to come along with their big bag and take them away. So when I arrive carrying my backpack they must have thought I had come to take them away. After leaving my bag in the hotel and heading for the beach, the children came running to play and all was well!