In 1997, if you asked me "what is culture?" I would've said something like "Culture is a way of life" thinking that I had a good understanding. Any other questions about culture and I think I would've been stuck. That's probably because at the time my biggest cultural experience I had was listening to "The Carnival" by Wyclef Jean. Now, I'm experiencing Zambian culture first hand, Liwiindi, Independence day, and just every day way of life.
As I'm writing this there are countless dead insects on my floor, even though I just swept it a couple hours ago. On top of that there are 10 times that many insects still crawling/flying around in my room, including a gray spider about the same size as a small mouse. Why? The rains. The rain brings more insects, and I think the more it rains the more insects will show their antennae. Also, it's a quarter to two in the morning and I'm probably only one with a light on. No wonder I can buy a can of insecticide called "Doom" that's stronger than anything that can legally be sold in the states.
Yesterday it rained, twice! The first time in the morning just a sprinkle and then in the afternoon it actually rained. If seen a few drops falling from the sky a couple times already, but real rain! The shower was quick and didn't do very much, but keep the dust down a bit. The strange thing is, I never thought I'd be so happy to see rain. Dark clouds, the thunder and cold rain falling from the sky, it was beautiful. Growing up in Florida and then I've been living in Va. where we get as much annual precipitation as Washington state, I actually missed the rain after 5.5 months of nothing but clear skies.
I read these two poems almost two months ago, but it’s taken me this long to blog it.
First, a bit about Okot p’Bitek
He was born in Gulu, Northern Uganda in 1931. He was also a footballer for his country and played in Britain at the age of 25. From there he decided to stay and study, earning a diploma in education in Bristol, then he studied law at the University of Wales at Aberystwyth and social anthropology at Oxford.
I heard about this Okot from a blog of a long time friend and became very interested. Hoping to gain a bit of understand by hearing from another point of view, I set out to find a copy of this book. I couldn’t find a full version online to read, only snippets, commentaries and criticisms. Also, there was not a copy in Macha to be found. Soon, I had an opportunity to spend a couple of days in Livingstone and I found it in a book store there, so I purchased it.
The first 20 or 30 pages consisted of an introduction about the author, the history of the writings, and a commentary on the work. Now, it was time to get into this story of a woman who is upset with her husband, who has basically forsaken her and his own culture because he had embraced the western culture. Ocol (the husband) was a politician and had married another more western woman. To anyone who has read these stories, I ask forgiveness if I'm leaving anything important out.
I think I read the book over a 3 or 4 day period and spent a week feeling worthless until I realized the source of my depressed state. After some thought I realized that reading these poems was like getting punched in the face and then kicked in the stomach. I know that they are fictional and supposed to be a defense of Okot’s culture against western influence, but man, I felt like I had no reason to be in any country in Africa. Oppressing feelings pressed in on me, making me feel as though I could nothing right in Africa. I would picture a kid in an antique shop and anytime that child went to touch something his mother would slap his hand and say “Don’t touch anything, you’ll break it.”
Now, I came to Zambia wanting to be culturally sensitive and not come with my ethnocentric Americanism and start running things. Running things, has never been my intention in coming to another country. Anyway, I still felt like I was worthless and it took me almost 2 weeks before I realized that the thoughts I had were just an attack on my identity. I was born white, in the United States of America. There are certain things we can change, and things we can’t change about ourselves. I can’t let some writer that doesn’t exist anymore to keep me from helping people because he doesn’t appreciate the color of my skin, or the culture that I was born into, or the beliefs that I hold. Before I go any further, I’m not attacking this book or the writer. I actually can really appreciate the skill and creative energy that was put into these writings. I actually was wishing that I could read it in Acholi so that I could experience it in its original form. I may even look for some of his other writings when I get back to the states.
Just this past weekend I went to Chikanta for the annual Liwiindi festival. I rode with the Radio Macha crew and therefore I was a guest of Chief Chikanta. Chief Chikanta sees the value of keeping with the traditions and wants to keep the Tonga Traditions alive, by exposing the younger generations and other cultures to the dances, songs, and customs that are observed during Liwiindi. We drove from Macha on a very rough road for an hour. This festival is a time to celebrate the previous harvest and to hope for a good upcoming harvest. Also, it's a time for the people of Chikanta to unite with one another and to reunite themselves with their Ancestors. This video is a video of one memorials services they had for their 9th Chief. The Grave stone is round because the Chiefs used to be buried in a seated position. In this video you will see members of the royal family singing, dancing, and spitting Chibwantu (traditional Drink) on the grave stone. The chief explained to me that the Chibwantu is similar to leaving flowers on the grave site of a loved one. As I drove around with them to many grave sites of chiefs, he told me that he wants to do what he can to perserve the Tonga culture and would like for me to put this on the internet for others to experience.
This is a short slide show of the container that was shipped from Va. About 5 months after it shipped from Norfolk Va.
This is a synopsis of a book that I just read called "Foreign to Familiar." The book is well written, easy to read, concise, and best of all very positive. The synopsis is written by Gertjan Van Stam who has been living here in Macha for many years now, but is from the Netherlands.
Culture Remarks
Submitted by gvanstam on Mon, 2006-06-19 19:21. Rules and Regulations in Zambia
The realities at Macha, and the way the people relate, can be very different than how people relate in 'the West'. Culture shock or culture stress is a reality for those coming in from 'the cold'. Dealing with the unfamiliar means making new decisions constantly, which takes energy. For some guidance on where the differences might lay, some of the stereo types a westerner might find in Macha:
Relationship oriented (versus Task Orientation)
In Macha, as in the whole of Africa, interactions are relationship based. Communications are not so much about the factual information, but create a 'feel-good' atmosphere. The society is feeling oriented. To properly greet each other is important part of the daily interactions; It is inappropriate to 'talk business' upon first arriving at a meeting.
Indirect Communication (versus Direct Communication)
In Macha it is all about being friendly. Every question must be phrased in such a way as to not offend by its directness. Using a third party for accurate information in case a direct question will be too harsh is a good option. A 'yes' may not be an answer to your question; It may be the first step in beginning a friendly interchange. Therefore, avoid yes-or-no (closed) questions. And certainly avoid embarrassing people in what ever way.
Group Orientation (versus Individualism)
People belong, thus therefor they are. The identity is tied to the group, which is often family and tribe. The group provides and protects, which is very valuable in a resource limited environment as rural Africa. Taking initiative within a group is greatly determined by the role someone plays. And personal behavior reflects on the whole group. Team members normally expect direction from the leader.
Inclusion (versus Privacy)
At Macha there is a group-oriented culture. Individuals are automatically included in conversation, meals, and the other activities of the group, when present. Possessions are seen and being used freely by all: food, tools, funds, etc. It is not desirable to be left to oneself. And it is quite rude to hold a private conversation or make plans that exclude others present.
Hospitality
Is spontaneous, often without an advance invitation. It is in the context for relationship. The host fully takes care of the needs of the guest. The guest pays for nothing. Travelers are taken in and provided for.
High-Context Culture (everything matters)
At Macha, who you are related to matters. And who you know matters. So, it is important to be properly introduced. Watch to see how others respond in a situation in order to apply appropriate behavior. Remember to honor the people you are dealing with, too casual is insulting. Use manners. Respect the rules. And, again, give attention to appropriate greetings.
Time and Planning
At Macha people are not as oriented towards the clock as in western cultures. People are event oriented. Also they are spontaneous and flexible in their approach to life. People respond to what life brings, considering saving time not as important as experiencing the moment.
Source: “Foreign to Familiar”, Sarah Lanier, McDougal Publishing.
Zambia's president Patrick Levy Mwanawasa's death was confirmed and a 7 day national mourning was announced by the Vice President. Google it if you are more interested in the story (I don't want to post facts that are already all over the internet.)
Yesterday morning as I was walking to class, I heard from a friend that The president's health had taken a turn for the worse. Then in the evening I heard that he had died, but I heard nothing about the period of mourning. So, this morning I showed up to school to see how my students would react to this news. The first student to arrive mentioned to me about the 7 days of mourning, so as the other students arrived we looked on the internet and read different news articles about the death of president Mwanawasa. This then started discussions as to whether the president had already been dead or not and if the vice president will be able to fulfill the role of President of Zambia (Jokes and laughter accompanied these discussions.)
Not knowing exactly how to respond (the students didn't seem to be effected very much) I asked, "How should we proceed?" One of my students said "Let's just go on with class and see what happens tomorrow." I knew that I had to make a decision concerning the method in which LITA honors the passing of our president. So, I decided to pray with the class for the Nation of Zambia and then I canceled classes.
I never would've thought that the President's death would've effected me much. Yet, here I am feeling a bit sad and realizing that this is a very serious situation. I pray that the transition goes well keeping the peace, stability, and growth that has existed here in Zambia for quite some time.
The last thing that Leah and I did before she jumped on her flight back to kenya, we went to this Crocodile Farm in Lake Kariba. This is a short video of the croc feeding.
I am currently living in Macha, in the Choma District of the Southern Province of Zambia, Africa. In the southern Province of Zambia it rains during 3 months of the year cleverly called "The rainy season." The rest of the year I think there is a 0.01% chance of rain. Growing up in Florida and then living in Virginia for the past 10 years, I still find myself not believing that it wont rain when on the rare occasion some clouds blow through. Alas, it does not rain, when it is not rainy season.
I have been told that many, many years ago, the Tongas took this land from who ever was living here before because it was a very nice place to settle. I do not know what is causing this land to become more dessert like every year, but I can only guess that it has to do with the burning of everything and deforestation combined with the Kalahari desert in Botswana creeping up north. I don't know why desserts slowly take over the areas around them, I just know that it does happen. While in Mongolia I found that the great Gobi desert is creeping into China and will eventually take over Beijing. Already the Chinese have been planting trees in between them and Mongolia in an effort to stop or slow the process that even the Great Wall can't keep out (seems that Mongolia may again get over the wall and conquer China again.)
So, here in Macha there is a dam that keeps a good amount of water from the rainy season and is currently pumped to the ark where I live. It is what my co-habitants and I use for drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning etc. Of course the water isn't good to drink, so it needs to be boiled or filtered. Also, the people who herd cattle and donkeys will bring there animals to this dam to drink. If one were to visit the dam (which is a nice place to chill) he/she will find people who are fishing for the thumb sized fish that live in the dam. And if that same person came and visited the dam a week later, he/she would hopefully notice too that the dam recedes an alarming rate (at least to one who depends on this water.)
So, with all of this said, I get a little bit annoyed when the tap at the ark is left running. When water is just pouring out onto the ground and going nowhere. When one will fill a bucket with water and then another wants to move it out from under the tap but doesn't want to lift it so he just pours it out and fills his own bucket and replaces the empty bucket to be filled again. Yesterday morning, I woke up a little early (6hrs) and came outside to stand like a man noticed how nice, how quiet it was. After a moment I heard something that sounded like water running and I looked over and the tap was just running full stream with nothing under it. I quickly ran over and shut off the spicket to find that a nice sized puddle had already formed. I wasn't really too annoyed because I know that when we don't have power (which we didn't the day before)the pump at the dam doesn't work. I knew that someone had turned on the spicket and left it on when nothing came out, but still a litte bit annoyed.
Well, I praised god that Zesco decided to let us have power this particular morning and went to take my normal freezing shower (and loved it.) Then I heated some water in my electric kettle and made my wonderful Ciro instant coffee. Still wanting to enjoy the morning I walked outside and noticed all of the different types of birds hanging out in the one dying tree behind the ark. A wood pecker eating insects and other birds doing what they do. Then I noticed a group of birds playing and drinking in the new bird bath that had been created by the spicket that was left on over night. I then realized that I just need to stop worrying, I know that God is going to provide for me just as these birds before me had been provided for. Does this mean that we should leave the water running with no regard to the consequence of such actions? No, certainly not. The sight of the birds just helped me to relax a bit.
I have realized that before I moved to Africa, when I thought of coffee I thought of the warm, trendy, overpriced, starbucks. Now...my Ciro (instant coffee) with water that has been heated in an electric kettle and milk-in-a-box that can literally sit on a shelf for years and still be good to drink, while sitting in my 8X10 room at The Ark.
This is a short montage of what happened while the Zambia '08 NLMI team was here. Matt Gauf did a great job on putting this short video together, Mad props.
Hello everyone,
Our friends that came to visit us from Virginia beach have come and all of them have now reached home. While they were here, Jon and I had our hands full just trying accommodate that many people here in Macha. I know that it's been a month since I've last posted anything, but I promise as I get back into the swing of things here, I will try to get you all caught up. For now, I will say that although there were plenty of cultural difficulties about 200 people accepted Jesus Christ and prayed with us the sinner's prayer. That happened during 3 nights of intense outreach. Also, the team led children's ministry in different government schools in the area, as well as painting the inside of the local church as a service to the people here. Praise God, that so much good happened, and even though it was probably one of the hardest couple weeks of my life, the Grace of God helped me to get through.
More to come...
Jon and I went with Pastor Imasiku and some other church members from Macha and drove to Chikanta to teach, preach, and help with the baptisms. It was a long day but worth it.
Here's a little taste of what it's like to ride from Macha to Choma (Made this video in 2006).
For the first time ever in my 29 years living on this earth, I was able to drive a motorbike. It was a 250cc Honda dirtbike, and I took out on dirt roads and trails for about 2 hours last weekend. Thanks to the Joel (Flying Mission Pilot) for allowing me the priveledge. Let me tell you this was so much fun and I think that if I'm going to live in a rural villag in Africa, I will seriously consider getting one. A motorbike here is a very sensible form of transportation, and it's fun. I'm not sure you can beat that.
For More information about LinkNet, please click on the link above and vistit our website. Also, if you would like to partner with Jon and I as we "spread the gospel through outreach, development, and rural technical training centers" please contact me at nicnovelly@gmail.com thanks.
Warning! I'm writing this stream of conscience (which may or may not be a given, since this is a blog).
It's very dark and very quiet when you lay down at 9:30 p.m. or 2130, however you tell time. 9:30! Since when have I gone to bed that early! I'm not sure I can remember, maybe when I had a bedtime that was regulated by a parent. So, it's very dark and quiet, it's early and I'm tired but can't sleep. It's hard to keep my mind from thinking about the next 6 months, much less tomorrow. Of course I'm told that it is wise to not worry, right? Not to worry about my life, what I will eat or drink or wear. I'm told that Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than clothes.
