\
So Pam and I are about to go to town to pick up some water. We’re sitting down, finishing our coffee when our guard, Chacha comes to the door and I thought I heard him say, “Fundi.” I had spoken to our landlord yesterday about a leak in Holly’s bathroom and he said he would let us know today when a fundi (worker) would come and fix it.
I go to the door and invite the man in and point towards the bathroom and tell him that the leak is in the bathroom. He says, “No, no.” And goes on to explain he is from St. Jude school and is inviting us to the grade 7 graduation ceremony. Also come to find out, he is the Director of the school. Now that’s embarrassing.
He tells us that graduation begins at 11:00am and I tell him that we will send representation from the Angel House Orphanage. I call the other missionaries as they are out at the orphanage and find out that Eric will be bringing some orphans to the ceremony as they will be singing. He begs off going as he is not dressed appropriately and needs to clean up. I now know why he excused himself.
Pam and I ready ourselves and call a pikipiki. We go awhile on paved roads then head cross-country. We end up crossing over the main north-south highway and do some more cross-country. We arrive and are escorted to the dais as honored guest. We are sitting on a what you might term as a porch with the students and crowd facing us. They are under an awning. Note the picture shows empty seats. This was at 11:00am, people arrived all the way to 2:30pm and it was pretty full.
So talk about an interesting cultural experience. We were there at about 11:00am, we left at about 4:00pm.
For the first hour or hour and a half, the DJ, yes DJ, played very loud music and the MC made announcements. During a lot of this time, students would come to the front and wreaths or almost lays (like Hawaiian) were placed around their neck and get their picture taken with people in the act of placing them around their neck. I found out later that it was just traditional and given by friends and relatives. I also found out that the cost for these lays was about 1500 tsh, or about $1.50. I would say about 1/2 the kids didn’t get any because their family couldn’t afford them.
After that, the student gathered to one side, then came singing and dancing to the front and faced the crowd and did a couple of songs. Please remember, that at least here in Tanzania, they love to sing and there is no such thing as a short song. Pam and I both really enjoy their singing, however, but for some reason the MC felt he had to join in. He did not have a good voice.
Introductions followed, of all the teachers and they each gave a short speech. The students then put on a very loooong skit. We found out afterwards that it apparently dealt with a student not getting a full education and trying to get a job in another town without much success.
This was followed by the Director of the school giving a speech, then another big wig, and then the District Commissioner, a very big wig. He only spoke for maybe 45 minutes.
There was more singing by the students, and then it was time to hand out the diplomas or certificates. Everyone on the dais shook hands and congratulated the students as they walked by, much the same as we do in the U.S. This was a very joyous time for the students and parents, with much picture taking, giving the student money and gifts, and a lot of chaos until everyone was asked to reseat themselves.
Congratulations were given by the District Commissioner, and a prayer was said. We then ate.
We had a very good meal. Fried rice, meat of some kind (not that bad and I’m pretty sure it was beef), fried banana (they have cooking and eating; not-sweet and sweet, we had the not-sweet which is more like a potato with very little sweetness), a cabbage slaw, watermelon and a soda. Pam and I both passed on the watermelon, not all the good here and since it wasn’t something that was cooked, we passed. All-in-all, not that bad.
So anyway, after about 5 hours, we get back home. Now I understand why Eric took a pass and no one else volunteered to go. It was a great experience, not much was given in English, but still something I was glad I attended. Not that I’d want to do it again right away. TIA Mark
No comments:
Post a Comment