There's no doubt that the emergence of technology helped in simplifying life, making living much better than it was in the yester years. However, the continuous innovation and progress in technology has led to the conveniences we enjoy today. It has revolutionized our lives, making life much more easier, simpler and enjoyable. I'm not saying that life back then wasn't all good, but there's a big difference from then and now; and this is as a result innovations.
I can recall while growing up that our main sources of water supply then were rain and stream water. Whenever it rains, we'd ensure to fill our drums, jerry cans, and buckets. For our drinking water, we'd boil the water and then filter with clean filtering cloth.
In the absence of rain, we'd walk miles to the waterside stream to fetch water. A walk that was both fun and tiring too. Most times, especially on Saturdays, we'd take our dirty clothes for washing at the stream, and equally bathe there.
There was the tap water from the State Waterboard, but regular supply wasn't guaranteed. Commercial water suppliers were also operating. With their tankers they'd supply water at a fee. We only patronized them occasionally.
Power supply was of essence, so the National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) was in charge. But in the absence of power, we had alternative supply - the kerosene lanterns, "mpanaaka" (a type of oil lamp usually made with small metal container, with a thread coming out through a small hole at the center of the covered top), and then the gas lantern, called "Tinni lamp". I wonder why it's called that. 😂.
We mainly used the globe lanterns and mpanaaka, but the gas lamp was used occasionally too.
Cleaning the kerosene lantern globes was the most dangerous and risky task to do. Lol. You need a sixth sense to be able to remove and replace that globe back in the lantern without hearing "kra". And any "kra" on the globe will mean receiving "kras" of flogs. 🤣
From oil lanterns, we ported to torch lights - the steel torch lights with signal button that uses 2D cell batteries. Another introduction was the Binatone multi funtion rechargeable lamp that has both torch, radio, cassette player functionality.
For cooking meals, kerosene stove, firewood, and charcoal and sawdust stoves were used. I liked using the sawdust to cook because it cooks fast and convenient too.
I won't forget to mention that large home entertainment system with wooden cabinets that houses a turntable record player, speakers and amplifiers. Hmmm, what's the name again? "Stereo console"😅 Oh! how I loved operating this wonder system. I was always fascinating to watch the vinyl records spin on the turntable until the needle drops, and would start tracking the songs on the record to play the music. And then I'd adjust the volume, tone, and other settings by turning the knobs and buttons.
From Meta Ai
Health wise, whenever mom notices that we needed de-worming, she'd gather some leaves, squeeze and then use the water to pump the daylight out of us, lol. For fever, cold and cough, some herbs were always available, which we would either drink or bathe with.
In the area of telecommunications, I was privileged to use the wire cable telephones, not ours though, a couple of times. I would often marvel at how two people at different locations can hold conversations through such a device.
Although I enjoyed using all of the ancient stuffs back then, why won't since they were what we could have. But then, I won't deny that I wished for a more convenient life, a soft life, you may call it.
Thankfully, times have changed, technology has evolved and is still evolving. More and more innovations are witnessed on a daily.
With the boreholes now, there wouldn't be need for rain and stream water again.
The era of lack of power supply is gone.
With the solar lighting systems, one is assured of constant light. The generating sets, solar bulbs, including rechargeable bulbs, lanterns and torches are all available.
Cooking of meals is now easier, convenient and faster with the gas and electric stoves.
In telecommunications what do we have now? All kinds of devices from smartphones, Tablets, laptops, smart speakers, smart watches to video conferencing, satellite phones, etc. Communication is now faster, more convenient and accessible, from where ever you are.
Now I have the opportunity of living the soft life I wished for. I've started already, and will enjoy more when I might have gained financial freedom. 😅
Thank you for reading.
Other Photos Are Mine