Woman breaks cultural, religious barriers to work as a tour guide

Bishamba Hamisi Juma (in a black buibui), with her guest clients. Bishamba is a popular Mombasa-based freelance tour guide who always clad in a bui bui and a hijab. [Robert Menza, Standard] Tour guiding in Mombasa is far from easy. It goes beyond casually sharing random facts with enthralled tourists as you stroll along the walls of Fort Jesus. While challenging for men, the job presents an even more unpredictable and exhausting reality for young, dedicated Muslim women like Bishamba Hamisi Juma, who always wears a bui bui and hijab. Undeterred by Mombasa's searing heat, Bishamba never misses a day on the streets, waiting for clients-though they have become scarce due to the dwindling number of tourists. An alumna of the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) with a degree in Tourism Management, Bishamba is fluent in English and her mother tongue, Kiswahili. She has gained popularity among her growing list of clientele. She owns Bishamba Tours Safari Company, which offers agritourism, taking visitors around natural attractions in and around Mombasa plus fruit tree plants that grow abundantly in coastal Kenya. "Women face many challenges, especially when competing against men who have been in the industry for years. Stereotypes and abuse won't bog me down-they only push me to work harder," she said. "Tour guiding is a multifaceted job that requires juggling different and often unrelated roles. We are educators, information providers, interpreters, role models and facilitators of exclusive experiences for guests," Bishamba added. As a freelance tour guide, Bishamba navigates a tough industry dominated by street-hardened men who have been in the business for decades. Being a young Muslim woman, she also contends with stereotypes and unwarranted criticism. Her tour routes include Fort Jesus Museum, Old Town, Marikiti Market, Elephant Tusks, Mombasa Hindu Temple, and the scenic Mama Ngina Waterfront Park. Bishamba Hamisi Juma (in a black buibui), with her guest clients. Bishamba is a popular Mombasa-based freelance tour guide who always clad in a bui bui and a hijab. [Robert Menza, Standard] Bishamba looks up to no one but herself. To stay informed about the latest hospitality trends, she reads extensively on global tourism and actively participates in Magical Kenya events. "I am my own role model. Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) expos are always a sight to behold-spectacular in nature-and they give me the chance to meet key players in the tourism industry," she stated. To stay afloat in the competitive tourism sector, Bishamba has ventured into fruit farm tours. She notes that these tours, which include fruit tastings and guided farm visits, are becoming increasingly popular attractions. "Fruit farm tours give guests and the general public opportunities to learn about modern farming practices, meet farmers, and explore the processes involved in exporting fruits and vegetables," she explained. Feedback from her clientele speaks volumes about the experience Bishamba offers. "I bumped into her at Fort Jesus. She approached me, explained what she does, and I agreed to have her show me around Old Town," said Henry Harolds Teddy, an American tourist visiting Mombasa. Another of her regular clients, Bigambo Harry Alfonse from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), said that Bishamba is always on time and knows much about Mombasa City. She knows a lot about her native nation-Kenya. I will highly recommend those coming for tours to Mombasa to sample what she has to offer," said Christina Le Riccia from Italy. Callum Axford and his partner from Australia said they were plant enthusiasts, and that is why Bishamba was their preferred tour guide. "My partner and I had a great time walking with Bishamba for a couple of hours. We suddenly encountered random plants that grow in their natural habitat, which we would just pass by. "From her explanation, it became an interesting topic of conversation. She has a great range of knowledge on local plants and history, and her energy was uplifting," said Axford. Bishamba, who would later hone her skills with practical training after the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) took her in as a trainee at the Fort Jesus Museum, decided tour guiding was all she wanted in life. Coming from a well-known Mombasa family, Bishamba said she decided early in life become a tour guide. Does her dress code matter? "I am a staunch Muslim and want to remain that way. I will not change my dressing or behaviour because of business," she said. Bishamba stands out in her black bui bui and hijab each day as she reports to her workstation around Fort Jesus Museum and the Swahili Pot Hub, where she is a member,

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