All week we’ve asked the children and adults that we’ve connected with what they are doing for Christmas hoping that we could tag along to one of their family gatherings. Almost all of them looked at us strangely and said they would be at the village center. A few have travelled a distance on foot, bicycle or in rare cases a car to see family in a surrounding village. But the vast majority spent Christmas day in the village just as they would any other day. The villagers are protestant Christians. They converted a century ago or more and they take their religion quite seriously. They maintain their tribal traditions, but also attend church service, listen to Christian music and pray to God and Jesus. But on the most important of Christian holidays there are no feasts or gifts.
Maybe it is a cultural difference but certainly it is a difference in priorities for what little disposable income is available. I’m not sure they even have an equivalent term for disposable income. We certainly missed our families on Christmas day and couldn’t skype with them as planned due to a slow connection. But I must say this is one of the most special Christmases that we’ve ever had. We spent the day at the center with the kids and visiting with Chief John, Sulume and the ladies. We had traditional African meals just like other days. The time we spent with the kids was very special. They were so happy and wishing us a “happy Christmas”. It was really cute and a lot of fun.
On Christmas night and the following night we had parties at the center. All the kids were tucked away at home and the adults came for some fun. We had Hansas and Brutal Fruit drinks, listened to loud house music, and talked at length asking any sort of questions about each others culture and traditions. In that moment we weren’t Americans or Ndebeles. We were just friends sharing a drink and a chat. It was excellent.
Both nights we had awe-inspiring thunderstorms with bright streaks of lightening, loud claps of thunder and no electricity. We made due with candles glued to plates with hot wax and carried on with our carrying on.
We learned so much from the Ndebeles…I’m certain we learned more than we taught. We were reminded that water is precious. We learned that if its yellow let it mellow, but if its brown flush it down. We learned that nothing is garbage – newspaper, soda caps, and boxes can be recycled into learning, fur and art for the kids. Music transcends continents, cultures and generations…John Legend, Beyonce, and Jay-Z to name a few favorite artists of both our cultures. Some symbols are internationally known and accepted…the thumbs up, “say cheese”, “ahh” after cool drink, and the “guchi, guchi goo” tickle monster works on all children. And finally, we learned that kids are the same no matter where you are. They are curious, beautiful, intelligent and lovable and I grew very attached to them in only a week. And boys are generally as naughty as girls are good.
When we left the village I shed many tears and part of my heart will stay in the village even though my body has moved on. We will stay connected through letters, email and hopefully another visit just now.
The Little Ones
Mpo and the kids
Noko
No comments:
Post a Comment