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CHAPTER 24
NAIROBI
In 1900 A.D. there were only three streets in Nairobi: Government Road, Bazaar Street and River Road. The streets were unpaved, covered with dirt and during the rainy season there was mud all around. There were rows of shops on both sides of the streets. The shops were all alike. The walls and roofs were made up of corrugated galvanized iron sheet and floors were made of hardwood. Behind the shops were living quarters.
There were already many established businesses in Nairobi, most of which were owned by Ismailis and Bohras. The most prominent firms belonged to Valji Hirji, A. M. Jivanjee, Suleman Virji and Aliddina Vishram.
An Oshwal business was generally opened in partnership with relatives or friends. People worked very hard and long hours. The daily life of a person who owned a clothing shop started very early. Get up at six o'clock early in the morning, get ready and open the shop by eight and keep it open until six in the evening. Most shops not only sold clothes but also did the tailoring. The tailoring part was done at night. The men will do the tailoring and the women would sew the buttons and buttonholes. The work would go on probably until midnight. Even the older children would help. In a grocery business selling foodstuffs spices and likes, the life was even harder. The heavy bags of the grain weighing up to 200 lbs. had to be carried from one place to another. The grains had to be cleaned. Every one pitched in.
The living quarters were behind the shops. There would be one room that was used as living room, den, and bedroom and a kitchen, which was also used as the dining
