The Kikuyu Method of Burning Charcoal

Abstract

The usual method of packing is to fill a sack full up to the top so that the mouth cannot be sewn in the ordinary way. Bracken, wattle twigs and .leaves or other suitable green vegetation is laid over the charcoal and tucked down between the coal and the inside of the bag. Thin green wattle bark or other bark or fibre is then placed across to hold .the leafy packing in place. The sack of charcoal weighing about 70 lb. is now ready to be transported to market. Sales are usually effected by this "sackful". Transactions by weight are not considered as water or rain can upset the buyers' calculations.