Saturday 7/6/13

What an adventure we had today! We went out to this small village called Chamwino. The people there grow up playing music. Its just like learning to read, its something everyone does.

When we got there we were greeted by the village chairperson and we were taken on a tour of the village center. Apparently Tanzania's first president lived there for three months and helped build the village. Everyone loves him so this was a pretty big deal.

We went out to the place where we would hear the music. When we got there we were greeted at the road by all the women playing drums and singing. They led us through the weeds to where we would watch the performance.

A girl read us a letter in Swahili and then it was translated by Baptist. They welcomed us, told us a donation would be greatly appreciated and said that if we wanted to sponsor one to go to America and learn English it would help them all our a lot. Then the music started.

This wooden log is one of their instruments. They rub what looks like wooden spoons against it and it makes a cool noise. They tuned it by putting dust on it.

After the music Carol and Boyd wanted to make a donation. All donations have to be in public because other wise someone will probably just keep it to themselves. They also count the money in front of everyone so they know exactly how much was received. It made all of us very uncomfortable, but we understand why they did it.

After that they invited us to eat. We went into this little hut and they had a mat on the floor that we sat at. Some one came around with a pitcher and a bowl so we could wash our hands. They gave us plates with rice and meat. The rice had a really good sauce on it.

I was amazed by how good it was. The meat on the other hand was super gristly. They had some milk they were giving to people if they wanted it, but it was super thick and chunky, so I passed. It was so kind of these people to feed us.

The person who set this whole thing up is a professor up at UDOM. He did his masters thesis on Kigogo music so he was over there a lot. They gave him a live rooster and he brought it home with him in the car. 

If this isn't the best picture you've ever seen, I don't know what is.

This was definitely an experience I won't forget, one of the best of the trip.