upepo
Upepo is a Swahili word that translates to "wind" in English. It is a fundamental meteorological phenomenon driven by differences in atmospheric pressure. These pressure gradients are primarily caused by uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun. As air warms, it becomes less dense and rises, creating an area of low pressure. Cooler, denser air then moves in to replace it, resulting in air movement, or wind.
The strength and direction of upepo are influenced by various factors, including the Earth's rotation (the Coriolis
In many East African cultures, upepo is not merely a physical force but also holds cultural significance.