As a few of you know, I had difficulty relating to my
original host family here in Mayenzere. It wasn’t so much that we didn’t like
one another, or that we clashed… it just wasn’t what I was expecting. It wasn’t
the typical Kavango family experience, either. My mother was a teacher at my
school, living on the homestead with one of her 4 daughters. From time to time
there were various other children, and for a time another single woman… but it
never really felt homey.
Through a series of event, I ended up living alone on my
homestead. My mother had requested a transfer (being both tired of village
life, and not wanting to live apart from her other 2 young daughters who are
schooling in Rundu). She now lives in town. The Peace Corps and my supervisor
felt uncomfortable about my living alone (although I never felt unsafe, my
village is fairly quiet) and starting looking for an alternative. The options
were limited, with Peace Corps’ housing requirements, and the location of my
school. But, it was decided that I should move in with my principal. By
American standards, that sounds strange… perhaps I should clarify and say, on
my principal’s homestead. At first, I was quite apprehensive about the move.
Firstly, I hate moving. One of my least favorite parts of college was moving in
and out of dorms each and every year. Blech. Secondly, I originally felt
slightly concerned about living with my principal.
But, things have turned out pretty well, so far. I really
like the location of my new homestead, and the people who live here. My current
homestead family includes Mr. Semethe (my principal), Omama (“Grandmother”, Mr.
Semethe’s mother), Maxima (my language tutor/the school cleaner/my best friend
on the village), Junior – age 10 months (Maxima’s son), Sendi – age 2 (another
one of Omama’s grandchildren) and Maria – age 8 (an orphan who was taken in by
my family).
I began moving here on Friday, although I still have a lot
of things to move over here. I have way too much stuff. It’s amazing how fast I
accumulate things here. I sometimes can’t believe I started out with two bags
that I could carry easily by myself. Between Peace Corps materials, the lending
library at the PC office, zealous package senders, and my refusal to throw away
anything that might be remotely useful… I’ve acquired a mountain of
possessions.
This weekend has been… uneventful, I suppose, in some ways.
But it’s been wonderful at the same time. It’s exactly what I was expecting
when I first moved to my village. It’s been just Omama, Maria, Sendi and
I…which has put my Rukwangali skills to the test. Also, since my stove and food
are still at my old house, I’ve been taking my meals with them (lots and lots
of porridge!). I had the opportunity to help Omama pound mahangu yesterday, after
doing some much needed laundry. My arms and hands are sore today, but I was
actually getting the hang of it after a while. It’s all in the form… although
rhythm and breathing factor in a lot. I’d often wondered why most Namibian
women and girls make a little hissing or whistling noise with each stroke of
their pounding stick, bu I found it helped keep my tempo strong and helped me remember to breathe – both
very important things when you’re pounding!
This afternoon, I decided to try carrying water to my new
and slightly further homestead. Since it’s a longer trek, I finally asked some
of the women at the tap to help me wind a shitenge into a round, flat pad to
put between my head and my jerry can. To use one of these, you need someone to
help you place the water on your head, because if you lift it yourself, you’ll
knock of the shitenge in the process. So, one of my new friends volunteered to
help, and lifted my jug… but she overestimated my water carrying abilities and
placed the can on my head standing up straight. (I usually carry it sideways so
I have more surface area and can hold the handle as I walk). I gave it a try
and tried to straighten up, which resulted in 3 ladies rushing at me to catch
the 25 liter container so it didn’t crash to the ground. After that, we did it
again…sideways. :) I think I’ll stick with that for now!
Tjida is also
enjoying his new home, which comes complete with a playmate, Pretti, a playful
dog who is old enough to subdue my pup, but young enough not mind his constant
energy and need of attention. We are both currently staying in a hut that
serves as a kitchen during the rainy season (cooking is done outside in the winter).
My principal plans to build a new hut for us soon. I’m hoping I can even get
him to build me some hammock posts while he has wet cement! And tonight, my new
family will I finish watching Tarzan (which we started last night, around the
fire). I’m looking forward to it immensely.
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