Hmmmmm………

I had lunch with a friend of mine recently and the topic of the Maasai came up. I was telling her about the boma I visited and how self sufficient the people were. I left the boma with a different view than I went with. Looking at it with a Western mentality, it is easy to say that they are resistant to change and that they will be either be forced to change or be left out and that some “civilization” is needed along with “modern conveniences.” It is true that a clean drinking water source is needed and more of the community could benefit from advanced medical care as well as the rates of literacy improved. On the other hand, I met some really happy families that are poor in a monetary sense, yet they don’t need as much currency for exchange as you might think. As their lives bleed into more of the contemporary scene, funds are needed for school fees and veterinary services but for the most part there is still plenty of bartering and trading that I could see.

The point that I’m coming to is that the Tanzanian lady I was having lunch called them “savage” and “backwards.” She said, “There is something not right with the way they live. They need to change.” I was bothered by hearing one Tanzanian call another those terms. I know that that this individuals’ family, or at least some of them, live in a similar fashion and she didn’t see anything wrong with that. The whole thing was very strange.

Education will allow future generations to choose if they want to continue in the traditional way of life. It is a matter of choice. Literacy gives the population a chance to know about other subsistence strategies and cultures. From that knowledge, the individual can make an informed choice to change their lifestyle or to continue as they have.

I know that at home individuals have differing opinions of others that are not like themselves. I don’t like that when I’m at home. It was even more challenging to listen to when not that long ago many groups in Tanzania lived as the Maasai still do. It is easy to see little you need to be removed from someone to be able to criticize the differences.

The Supernatural in the Natural

Today was supposed to be the first day of class. I reported to room ARD for SO: 264 – Introduction to Medical Sociology and Anthropology promptly at 12:55pm. Class started at one o’clock. Being on time was a benefit because my professor is a punctual man and made a scene of everyone who was late. This class is an overview of healthcare in relationship to cultural and social systems and norms. I’m really interested in taking it.

My professor this afternoon made an interesting statement in his introduction to medical pluralism. In the context of talking about alternative healthcare systems, he used a personal example. He stated, “In my life I have never taken a malaria tablet. When the doctors tell me I have malaria, I say that I am going to pray. It is an attack on my body.” I wasn’t the least bit bothered by it. The rest of my international cohort made it the topic of the day…almost in a mocking way. I finally mentioned that I was amused by the fact they seemed so bothered by his comment. It is his belief given in the context of saying that it was his method. I think I am less bothered by this because I come from a community that believes in healing. (Personally, I would take the malaria tablet and pray. The side effects are nasty.)

This leads me to an observation. Most of the students I am lumped in a group with are really skeptical about matters dealing with the supernatural in reference to God or witchcraft. This is not the only time I’ve seen this though the comments following class today led me to much thought. This culture is one that embraces the supernatural in the form of God or witchcraft. It is in the media, pop culture, lifestyles and conversation. Coming to Tanzania, it is necessary to have some concept of the effect of supernatural beliefs in the day to day lives of the people. Using the supernatural to explain things from malaria in infertility or a bad business day is common. Coming from the background I do, it has given me the ability to have conversations with people about these views. When something good happens, it is usually attributed to God. When it is a negative event or series of events, it is the result of witchcraft, probably a close family member or friend who is jealous of success or possessions.

More to come later…running out of rented computer time.

Crossing Over: The Challenge of the Other Side

Coming to Tanzania, I had no idea that they drive on the opposite of the road than we do in the US. The first time in the car was an interesting experience. Driving or even riding in a car in Tanzania can be scary enough. It was even more so until my brain realized that we were not driving into oncoming traffic. This whole arrangement has caused a few other changes in my behavior as well. On campus and basically everywhere else, people walk down the sidewalk or road on the side that they would be driving on. The same is true going up and down the stairs and aisles in the supermarket. For example at home I would walk down the right side of the sidewalk. I try to do that here and I have to step around people until I remember that I should be on the other side. Most days I forget until I’ve nearly run into someone. When walking in groups, I frequently feel one of my team member’s hands on my shoulders moving me into the appropriate “lane.”

Going home is will involve learning how to do these little things over. I never realized how much of an impact which side of the road I drive on has on other social situations and how ingrained it is to be on the appropriate sided of the foot traffic flow. Maybe it’s not the driving that affects the other things, but it is the most obvious option see. Seeing as how almost everything is researched these days, I’m sure I could Google it and come up with an acceptable answer.

Live from Zanzibar!

I'm in Zanzibar and have been for the last few days. It's been amazing! I'll have to come back sometime soon. Stonetown grows on you. More stories to come soon...snorkeling, Idd festival, shopping and spring rolls with cinnamon. Stay tuned! Miss you all lots!

Tanzanian Toys: Recycled Treasures

I spotted a little boy today playing with the most interesting toy. It was a small, narrow board with four water bottle cap wheels. On either end of the board was a half of small water bottle that had been anchored to the board. He would push this make shift car with a stick by putting it inside the front bottle half. He was having more fun pushing this small thing around than I’ve seen in a long time. It wasn’t the sturdiest toy, nor did it roll straight. Nonetheless, he was having fun pushing the thing around. The reason this stuck with me is that I had previously had a conversation about what is was going to be like going home at Christmas. I’m dreading it a bit. I like Christmas, but I find the holidays and the shopping and busyness that go with it to be a bit overwhelming. I know that at some point I am going to brave the crowds to buy clothes seeing that I have very few left in Washington since they were stolen and I don’t have any clothes to wear in Texas while I am home. Back to the point, I will see numerous families clamoring to buy the latest gadget for their youngsters that will probably be forgotten by April and the credit card bill will still need to be paid. The kid I saw was having more fun with something that could be considered trash than most kids will ever play with the toys they have in their toy box. I’m not anti-stuff, but I think this puts it in perspective and is a reminder that sometimes simpler is better. I remember my sister having more fun with a milk jug and clothes pins than her toys. I am more resolved than ever to make my life and the things that come from it simpler.