Valley Trust Day 2

Today we visited some Zulu villages in the area and were taught a lot about their culture. It was both very interesting and shocking. There are so many customs that really surprised me. Marriage sounds like a process that is tiring and long and…wow. I can’t even imagine going through all that to get married. I wonder if my boyfriend would pay for 11 cows to marry me? Lol But really, there was so much to take in…their traditions are quite complicated. A 4 day wedding, 2 days to bury someone who has passed but wearing a skirt for a whole week to respect them, slaughtering for ancestors, sangomas, Zulu chiefs and the Zulu King…I don’t know how she remembers all those rules! It was really cool though. I think it’s really fascinating how they believe in the spirits of their ancestors. Makes you think more into any dreams you might have about dead family members. Two things that sort of “weirded” me out: taking off our shoes to see the sangoma and then eating with our hands. I mean, I was fine with taking off my shoes and socks but it was a little strange at first. Then lunch…yeah, I wasn’t into the whole eating with my hands thing. My dad would have starved—he eats pizza with a knife and fork haha. I did eat our lunch though…maybe not as much as other people but I tried to maneuver the hand eating by picking up maize meal and then trying to scoop up the butternut squash with it. It was difficult. It was also difficult because I am a picky eater and traditional food in foreign countries makes me nervous. Definitely a cultural immersion experience though! So glad we got to try out the Zulu dance! Gave my hamstrings a great workout :) lol Next is another traditional meal made by Karel, our favorite bus driver. Wish me luck! ;)

Update: Karel is the best cook in South Africa by far. End of story.