My last five days in Haydom was a whirlwind full of adventure and new things. We did 3 village visits and presentations to 3 traditional dance groups, and visited a 2nd primary school where I addressed the entire student population of students and teachers. I got to try a variety of local food which were new to me and included Ugalu (a local dish made of maze flour that looks like stiff mash potatos but is filling like bread but doesn't taste like either), Mud Fish, Impala meat, Monkey meat, roots and honey from trees. I apologize to all the animal lovers and vegetarians - here vegetarian meals are not always an option and in the situation we were offered the two animal meat it would have been rude of me to have refused in this culture. Plus I was taught to always try something once and eating impala to me is like eating deer meat or moose meat back home in Newfoundland. To answer those who are curious about the meat - monkey meat was quite yummy if I had to choose I prefered it over the impala.
This whirlwind started Friday with a visit to the Bantu village which was an hour and half drive away from town. By the time the dancers were ready for us and we were set up in the area they were going to perform it seemed the entire village had come out to see what was going on. The presentation went well and the Chairperson of the village and the dancers were very supportive and receptive of what I had to say.
Saturday I would say is among the top memorable and amazing experiences of this adventure. I meet James and Neema at the dining hall for where I am staying, with our other five companions very early in the morning. You see this was the day I was going out to the Hadzabe and this is one of the local CTE (cultural tourism enterprises) that 4CCP has developed. My five fellow companions are all medical students from New Zealand and Britain and we were all going to participate in various traditional activities for this group that are hunter gathers. The eight of us got to experience what a hunt is like and on this particular day it was a small velvet monkey that they caught. The actual killing of the animal was not my favorite part but I understand the necessity for this group because what they capture they will use all of it for needs around the village but to see these men and young boys go through the process of tracking and hunting with only a bow and arrow was quite impressive. They even told us the different kinds of animals they hunt and they said that an elephant is harder than a lion ( was not expecting that). After the hunt we were then given a tour of the traditional housing and watched the traditional dancers. I then had to give my presentation to not only the dancers and the chairperson of the village but to also my five fellow companions. That's not nerve racking at all!!! But they were all very kind and supportive. We finished the day with being shown how to use a bow and arrow and we each got three shots. My first shot did not go far, my second shot went past the target and the third one hit the tree directly beside the target. I say a few more rounds of practice and I could give Katniss a run for her money (hey a girl can dream!).
The dancers were so gracious and appreciated my presentation that they provided some beautiful handmade beaded jewelry and they even gave the medical students and myself time to purchase some items before we left. I have been stating how cold it is here but in the bush areas where some of these villages are located have been extremely warm. So warm that I got a slight sunburn from the day. I guess it wouldn't be summer if I didn't get a sunburn and that is with me wearing sunscreen (but to be honest I could have missed the spot where I got burnt).
Link to one of the 4CCP staff's instagram account. Links included photos of me presenting and shooting a bow and arrow:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BH7atztgV9l/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BH7aHpwA3Ln/
On our way back to the camp after the hunt:
Pure honey from the trees:
Meal of honey mixed with flour and water:
The med students trying the local honey dish:
Digging up roots:
Roots filled with water:
Target practice:
Group shot:
Dance they performed right before we left:
Sunday was another visit to a village located along Lake Bassotu where the villagers fish, gather water and provide canoe tours. We were suppose to met the dancers at 10 am but by 12pm we were still waiting. James said that this is what African time feels like. We decided to head to the lake for the canoe tour that was arranged but they said it wouldn't be for long due to the Hippos that were present in the lake. Interesting fact about hipps they can be aggressive and fast in the water and will ram canoes. However if they are charging you on land to get away form them you need to step up on to something. The don't have the ability to move in a vertical manor. Luckily we did not experience this and the canoe trip was very peaceful for me. After the canoe trip we then went to a local place to eat (their local restaurants are nothing like ours back home. We each had a piece of fish while we shared Ugalu. By 2pm we were back at the field to meet the dancers. Of course there was no shade and it felt like it was the hottest day of the week. We go through it and this tribe was receptive but a little reserved in their interactions with us. It was very apparent that they do not generally have visitors or interactions with outsiders but they gave me two gifts as thank yous. One is a bracelet and the other is one of their walking sticks that the men use in the traditional dance. They told me that if I was to wear the bracelet to the festival they would recognize me as a member of the tribe.
The view during the canoe trip:
Selfie in the canoe:
This use to be a football field before the rain season raised the water level in the lake (according to the tour guide in the canoe):
Monday was focusing on 4CCP's organization of the festival and what suggestions I could make for them. It was a very productive day and was nice to walk around the grounds to discuss the festival. I am sad that I will not be in Tanzania this September to see the festival. Festivals like any large event benefit when there is a flexibility to how things are done. Sometimes our best laid out plans seem great on paper but sometimes they don't work out during the festival and the staff have to be flexible to see it as it occurs and be willing to adapt. I will be available to 4CCP staff as the festival approaches for any support they may need or want ( of course through correspondence).
Tuesday was the visit to the 2nd primary school where 414 students (the entire school population) sang the school song and the national anthem, then performed a dance and a special song for us. I was told afterwards that they found out about my visit on Monday afternoon and within less than 24 hours they had prepared and learned a new dance and the song to go with it and a second song. It was apparent that they had worked hard and to only have less than 24 hours they did a great job. During my little address to the student population I told them that if they keep working hard and supporting each other they will do really well at the cultural festival.
If there are no photos with a certain part of the blog it means that I took video instead of photos and I'm still trying to figure that part out. Will post as soon as I can.
Next posts...... last few days in Tanzania, creatures of Africa, foodporn and whatever else I think of.....Stay tuned.....
Looks like all is going well! Great photos too. It's true, you have to be respectful and sometimes that means leaving your comfort zone. But now you know you like Monkey meat. That's good to know :)
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