Kevin and Spencer

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

(Kevin) Goodbye Machinga


Three months ago, I arrived in Msamati village in Machinga district. At the time, fish and nsima made my stomach question my intentions, ripping apart sugar cane with my teeth was an impossible task, greeting someone in Chichewa felt unfamiliar, riding in a minibus was intimidating, remembering the names of all of the Traditional Authorities and types of water points made my head hurt, and my host family felt like a group a strangers.
Yesterday was my last day in Msamati, and today will be my last day in Malawi. It would be an understatement to say that this was an amazing, mind expanding, and inspiring experience. To all of those who opened their hearts, lives, and homes to me over the past three months, I send my love and thanks.
Sitting in Peter’s room as my host family prayed for my safe departure, I realize that I’ve grown a lot while being here, and have made connections with wonderful human beings.
I realize now that fish and nsima fill me up like no other food can, eating sugar cane is delicious and easy once you get the hang of it, greeting someone in Chichewa really helps build trust and connections, minibus rides are some of my most favorite adventures, the names of T/As are second nature to me now and seeing water points in the field has helped me conceptualize their designs, and my host family are far from strangers – they’re great friends. I’m going to miss this place.
Be well, and very much love.
Kevin


 

Thursday, August 4, 2011

(Kevin) Yao man!


Wow. It’s been an interesting last few weeks! Why?

First, next Thursday will be my last day in my village. The thought of leaving these wonderful people breaks my heart into pieces. 3 months isn’t long enough to embrace all of this – it just isn’t.

Second, the reason that next Thursday will be my last day in Liwone is because of the threat of political protests in Malawi on August 17th. I will still be flying back to Canada on August 27th. If you haven’t been following the news, you can check out a great post written by fellow JF Robyn (http://heymalawi.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/all-quiet-on-the-mzimba-front/). Our time in Malawi has been cut short about 2 weeks, as we will all head to Zambia to stay away from any potential violence or incidents. This was a smart choice by EWB, but that doesn’t make it easy. For myself, I’m here to help and learn from Malawi with everything I’ve got. To leave this country during one of it’s most challenging times feels stale, and hurts. I’ll be hoping and thinking good thoughts for this country in their hopes to resolve these issues.

And third, I was privileged with the opportunity to attend a Yao initiation ceremony last Saturday. “Yao” refers to the tribe that dominates the northern part of the southern region of Malawi. The Yao people are majorly Muslim, and this was reflected greatly in the ceremony.

We started off at 7:30am. Jackson and George (my friends), and myself biked through the hills of Balaka district, until we reached our destination 15km away. Compared to my trip to the mountains of Neno, this distance was a piece of cake. As we arrived, Jackson’s family greeted us – mother, father, brothers, sisters, and cousins – the list goes on and on.

The initiation ceremony, known as “Chinamwali” in Chewchewa, signifies the coming of age for girls and boys into adulthood. In different variations of the tradition, this can include circumcision, spiritual cleansing, and other practices. As we waited for the event, Jackson and I sat on a beautifully woven reed mat, in true Malawian style. An hour passed before Jackson pulled me aside, telling me that it’s time to begin.

Everyone stood, and a group of 20 young men joined together to lead the group. These men, skilled in traditional Yao singing and dance, walked us towards the village chief’s house for the celebration of these 6 girls and boys.

The energy took everyone high, and the song took everyone even higher. As we walked, women would proclaim their excitement by making a wonderful noise. Make an “O” with your mouth, shake your tongue from side to side, and scream as loud as you can. Well done!

As we arrived at the chief’s house, the two boys and four girls were blessed with his honor. The two boys, dressed in handsome suits and polished shoes, and the girls, dressed in beautiful gowns, remained silent and solemn – their mouths covered with cloth. Why the quiet? Respect. Why the cloth? To hide their mouths if they get too silly, and start to laugh.  

After the children received the chief’s blessing, the Yao dancers escorted us back to Jackson’s house. What’s next in the ceremony? Time for the kids to cash in! As the Master of Ceremonies addressed the group, they invited friends and family to give Kwacha to the children. As the Yao dancers kept energy high, the group celebrated the coming of age of these young Malawians.

Last, but not least, a beautiful feast! This was the first time that I’ve eaten nsima and undeywo (relish) in a communal way. Two dishes of nsima and a dish of goat was shared between myself, 2 elders, and Jackson. It was fantastic, delicious, and very grounding.

As requested by Jackson, I brought my camera along. Before we made our departure back to Liwonde, I took pictures of Jackson and his wonderful family to document this happy day. Fortunately, a Canadian is travelling from Winnipeg to Malawi in October to work on this AfDB project, so I’ll have a chance to send these pictures back to my dear friend.

Riding home with Jackson over the hot African savannah, I could see from the look on Jackson’s face that he was happy. I hope I looked half as happy as he did.

I’ll leave you with a beautiful thought. A few months ago, I sat in a local restaurant, eating a dish of nsima as I watched an interview with a man famous for his research in ancient wisdom around the world. What he said sticks with me to this day:

Ancient wisdom is beautiful, and ancient wisdom is valuable. Yes, we’re different, but that doesn’t make any of us more beautiful or more valuable. Every culture is expressing their own response to the meaning of life, and that is what’s really important.

Be well, and take care.

Kev

Jackson (L) and myself enjoying nsima and Halal goat.

(Spencer) And Now for Something Completely Different

Drumroll..

Yo check it, his first name is Spencer, his last name is Bain,
If you mess with him, you’ll be in pain,
He does crazy shit, but he’s not insane,
This summer, you’ll be in Northern Ghana,
My brother, it’s gonna feel like a sauna,
Be sure to take in all the flora and fauna,
Too bad there’s no weed there, it ain’t Havana!
Seize the moment, seize the day,
I’ll be checking your blog every day, seeing what you gotta say!

All credit goes to the incredible Mr. Danny Liang, ladies pick him up quick before someone else snags his talents =)

Cheers to you EWB Guelph!


I cannot wait to see you all in only a few short weeks. Though at the same the sooner I see you all again, the sooner I will never see those people who I have bonded with over the past months again; a weird dichotomy. Still life must move forward and in the end the memories will really matter.

As I said before, what I look forward to most this coming semester is hanging with all the awesome EWBers at Guelph and living it large with Kevin (I hope his new assertive attitude does not get me in trouble! (I am still an organised mess)).

What are you looking forward to most this coming autumn?

-Suhuyini

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

(Spencer) More Photomoto

 Hello again!

This is a continuation of the photos Baba has been taking these past weeks. You may ask yourself: why are you posting photos that someone else has taken?

There is an additional level of genuineness to the photographs when they are taken by a local. When I take pictures of someone or of different places there is a slightly different reaction from people, in that they know I am taking those photos back to Canada as a sort of prize. When Baba takes photos he gets people in a more natural condition. In addition it is interesting to see what he thinks is a worthwhile photo compared to what I would snap.


It's a party going on; a baby naming ceremony followed by eating and dancing.A full shot of the area with groups of people sitting under the shade and children just noticing the approaching camera.




A common type of small store, selling small provisions such as; sugar, salt, biscuits, soap, cigerettes, batteries, and many other small useful items. All for a few peswa.


Myself getting my butt kicked in a game of wulli. These guys are seriously good at playing, super fast at the actions, knowing all the right moves, it is African chess. When I play the spectators are in great pain, they see the correct move than I make a very bad one and everyine goes "ohhhh"


A serious speaker set-up blasting out music for everyone in the area to hear and know they are celebrating. The children were dancing like professionals just minutes beforehand, I understand why people in Ghana have such rhythm, it is that dancing and grooving starts from birth,


The computer system running the speakers and pumping out the music. It looks very out of place considering the surrounding buildings and lack of modern electronics.


One of Baba's friends out beside his shop. I think he is selling moto parts.


This is one of Baba's cousins, he wanted to pretend he was in the army. A very respectable profession in Ghana.


This is great handiwork. He made a airplane out of used metal scraps. Trucks and cars are common to see made out of scraps, as they are done in school but this is the first I have seen of any other design. My first thought was to build a model of the Starship USS Enterprise....


Smiling children....that one boy in the corner looks a little more excited than the rest.....


....make that very excited...


....Wahooo! This boy is HAPPY!


After a long day at the farm sometimes one needs a little massage.


So this is the reason people are professional wulli players. Starting from early childhood they are playing and learning to kick my butt at every turn.

Alas, time is running down. 2 weeks left in Karaga and less than 3 in Ghana. What can be expected?
  • A final post with pictures Baba has taken
  • A post about value chains
  • In the next few days a bunch of things about Nyengbalo, right after I finish writing them
  • Ending reflections from working in the District Assembly and data systems
  • Something about shea nuts
  • Hopefully some other things as well...
-Suhuyini