Zambian culture and other random thoughts

I apologize if my blog entries are scattered and unorganized.  I write and update my reflections throughout the week, and new ideas or thoughts constantly find their way onto my fingertips.  Enjoy! 

The Zambian culture may be new and unique to what I have known growing up, but there are three major aspects of life that seem to cross all borders.  Family, religion, and sports (especially with men) are the topics in which most conversations begin.  Everybody is very passionate about family, while most are passionate about religion and sports.  In order to assimilate into a new culture, you need to appreciate and take an interest in what the local people enjoy in life.  The fact that we share so many important interests has made me realize that our differences are not as extensive as I once thought.  This becomes strikingly clear when I attend a wedding celebration, celebrate daily mass, or play in a football match with the students. 

Mrs. Daka, my Zambian mother.

Watching the English Premiere League on a Sunday afternoon.

Sometimes the kitchen light doesn't turn on...

I want to give a quick shout-out to my family.  I have been blessed with some amazing opportunities in life, and none of it would have been possible without the guidance and support of my family.  Family is not limited to blood relatives, however.  The support of my friends, professors, and mentors has given me the tools necessary to succeed and move forward in life. 

I have tried describing the “college” culture at Charles Lwanga to a few people, but doing so is no easy task.  This environment is so different from any college or university environment in the United States.  If the 6am church bells fail to call my attention, then the music and conversation from the surrounding hostels (dorms) a short time later surely will.  Students have one option for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  There is a specific time during the week in which they are required to clean and maintain the college grounds.  A class has even been assigned to break up and remove the concrete from an old tennis court.  All laundry is done by hand.  Students congregate around the single TV on campus to watch football on the weekends.  Assemblies include cultural dancing and skits prepared by different classes.  There was a course that taught students how to make sausage.  Why would teachers need to learn how to make sausage?  Fr. Kabwe, the president, told me that CLCE wants to give students every opportunity to succeed, even if they change their career goals later in life.  This skill might enable them to open a restaurant if teaching doesn’t work out.  The unique features of CLCE do not end here, but if you really want to understand this amazing culture, come visit. 

Cultural dances at a CLCE assembly

I have learned some interesting cultural aspects of Zambian life.  Here's a short list:  

1.) My friends Emmanuel and Xavier were shocked to hear that when getting married in America, the groom does NOT have to pay the bride's family.  In Zambian culture, the groom has traditionally been required to pay the bride's family in cattle, tools, and other equipment (although money is the payment of choice now).  Things seem to even out after spending a small fortune on a ring, however.  

2.) When you ask somebody to have a drink, you are expected to pick up the tab.  Chrispin, one of my good friends who is a staff member at CLCE, informed me of this after he invited me to the Yellow House for some beers.  He told the story of a visitor who made the mistake of inviting a large group out for drinks, only to be shocked when learning of this small detail.  

3.)  Zambians eat with their hands.  Nshima, which is a thick porridge made from ground maize flour, is a staple in Zambia.  Nshima, which is very bland, is never eaten alone.  There are always at least two "relishes" (meat/poultry/fish and a vegetable).  The thick and sticky Nshima is rolled up and formed in your hand, and then eaten with the relishes.  

4.)  Soda is not soda.  After a long walk with a couple friends, I desperately needed a drink.  I asked Emmanuel if I could borrow 3 Kwacha for a soda.  He went up to a small stand and came back, informing me that they had none.  I was a little confused, as I saw a cooler with various types of soda on top.  After a short conversation, I realized we were talking about two different things.  "Soda" means baking soda, and I was actually looking for a "softy."  Next time I'll ask for a Coke.  

5.)  When someone calls you fat, they are not insulting you.  Having a little extra weight is a good thing, while being skinny is a no-no.  This is basically the opposite of the body image perception most Americans have.  

6.)  Soccer is played a little differently when the field is mostly dirt, and maneuvering around small holes and mounds becomes an art-form.

7.)  The pool balls, table, and pockets are smaller.  These differences are difficult to get used to, but still fun to play over a few beers at the Yellow House.

Pool tournament at the Yellow House  

8.)  Expect a unique style of handshake when greeting a Zambian.  The three-part handshake includes clasping hands, letting go and forming almost a butterfly shape by interlocking your thumbs, and then back to a hand clasp.  As a conversation forms, continuing to hold hands is not uncommon.  

9.)  Everybody (or at least the majority of people) sings the national anthem.  The choir leads at assemblies, but students and staff join in the singing.  This beautiful anthem, when performed by a group, creates a very uplifting atmosphere.

Mrs. Daka told me to come to her when I needed vegetables.  I asked for cabbage and tomatoes, and she questioned how I was going to prepare them.  Well Mrs. Daka…. I really don’t know.  “Chabota! Go get your pork chops, we’ll prepare them here.”  She proceeded to help me prepare my meal, which really means she did all the work and I added a little salt when told to.  While this was happening, a lecturer invited me to join her in eating Nshima, cabbage, and beans.  I ate dinner while my dinner was being prepared.  These ladies sure are taking great care of me. 

One reason I love traveling is because of my willingness to try new things.  This isn’t always good practice, however.  My stomach wasn’t right for a week following a small bout of food poisoning.  I might be staying away from fish for a while. 

This past week I had the opportunity to go into the Bat-Cave as Joshua, and come out as Mr. Dube (still sounds weird).  That’s right Sacajawea Middle School 8^th graders (my student teaching placement in Spokane), I’m back in action.  For the next few weeks, I will be teaching a World Geography course to second year students at CLCE.  I have four sections per week, and the content includes continents and physical features, climatic and natural regions, farming regions, and major crops.

My first week of teaching was very interesting.  Not bad (very positive and entertaining, in fact), just an entirely new experience.  Initially, I had a difficult time getting a read on my students.  This is probably because I am teaching my peers, which is a much different experience than teaching 8^th graders.  Not only are these students the same age as I am, but they also have a completely different background and perspective on the world.  This will be helpful next week when I teach African geography, as my students will teach me.  Also, I am not using any sort of technology (I had my computer because I didn’t want to print my lesson plan).  Two of the lecturers in in my department asked if I would like to use a projector for presentations.  After initially thinking “duh!” I realized this would only be beneficial for me.  These students will not be able to use any sort of technology when they hit the classroom, so my teaching practice should reflect that.  This is a huge difference in teaching that has a major impact on how I give my lessons.  I don’t have the ability to show an interesting picture or video of that mountain range.  I actually have to write out the bar graph that I was discussing.  These might seem like minor differences, but they add a whole new element to the world of teaching.  I have a great deal of respect for my Zambian peers who are teaching or training to teach.  Technology is a very helpful and necessary piece of education back home, but teachers often use it as a crutch to lean on (myself included).  I am enjoying the challenge of finding creative ways to teach without that first-world aid.  Teaching is a lot of fun, and I remember that every time I step into the classroom.  

  

As I mentioned before, there is a Friday afternoon literacy program at CLCE.  Learners from the surrounding basic schools come to work on reading and English skills with their college mentors.  The college is really focused on improving this program by tracking the progress of the learners.  As each Friday program happens, I am able to make observations and formulate ideas for change/improvement.  With the help of a Gonzaga professor back home, we will hopefully be able to implement some positive changes.  Like I have stated previously, CLCE was already in the process of changing the way this program is run.  My job is to use my resources and perspective to provide insight on changes that could benefit this reading program.  We will have a meeting in early November, so hopefully some progressive ideas will be shared and eventually implemented.  

As for the tennis program, a contractor should be hired soon and the court will hopefully be completed before this term ends in December.  

This year I had the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day in two countries.  Zambia gained their independence from the United Kingdom on October 24th, 1964.  Happy 49th birthday, Zambia!  One Zambia, One Nation.  

Dr. James Hunter, a professor from Gonzaga University, is at CLCE this week (Oct. 21-25) teaching a Second Language Learning course to lecturers who are completing their masters.  I have had a wonderful time getting to know James, and I've even had the privilege of attending his classes.  I'm very proud of the connection that Gonzaga has with CLCE, and the GU professors that have been fortunate enough to visit Zambia truly are the best in the business.  

Until next time,

Chabota

joshdube6@gmail.com

Life in Zambia

Sometimes you just have to commit to saying yes.  That has been my main focus over the past couple of weeks.  I don’t care if I’m tired or feeling lazy.  Hey Josh, do you want to get up at 6am, drive 2 hours, watch volleyball outside all day, and then drive 2 hours back home?  Yes, please.  Hey Josh, do you want to come watch some cultural singing and dancing, and probably be asked to join in the dancing?  Why not (perhaps more hesitantly… I have two left feet).  Hey Josh, do you want to join me at the Yellow House (the local watering hole) and possibly drink a few too many Castle’s?  OK, that one was easier to say yes to.  Jim Carrey may have taken it a bit too far in “Yes Man,” but the point is to experience the things around you.  Africa is not the place you go to say no to new experiences.  I’m here to go to the daily 6am mass when my friend Busiku invites me.  I’m here to find any bit of work I can do for the college, even if that means having a disorganized schedule with a bit too much free time. 

James, me, and Godfrey at the Yellow House (two of the CLCE Lecturers)

me and Busiku (with Busiku's sunglasses)

The men's and women's volleyball teams from CLCE

These shorts are too great not to share

Speaking of free time and being “bored,” I was able to have an inspirational conversation with Raymond Reyes (every conversation with Raymond seems to be inspirational and uplifting).  Raymond, one of my Zambia study abroad professors in 2011, stopped to visit CLCE on his way home from Keyna and Malawi.  Along with Fr. Sebastian, Fr. Kabwe, and Katy (the Seattle U. student), we talked about the challenges that accompany traveling to a new and unique place.  I have struggled at times to occupy my free time.  Not only does Zambia have a completely different culture, but also an entirely different sense of time.  Life moves at a different pace in this part of the world.  I am working on accepting the position that I’m in, which means transforming my “boredom” into reflection, research, reading, or simply relaxing (funny how they all ended up beginning with “r”).  This was all put into perspective when Raymond and Fr. Sebastian discussed the 30-day period of silence that Jesuits have to undergo.  

Raymond and I

There is a really cool article that has been floating around recently (check it out if you haven’t already… http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-bartolotta/happiness-tips_b_3956114.html).  The first point asks us to “Stop Believing in Your Bullshit.”  Because of our insecurities or fears, “we all have dreams inside of us that we’ve tucked away because somewhere along the line we tacked on those ideas about who we are that buried the essential brilliant, childlike sense of wonder.”  When you fail to do something, or go somewhere (maybe Africa?), then you miss out on important, and most likely transformative, life experiences.  I didn’t let myself think it before traveling, but I am scared.  When traveling alone thousands of miles from home, you’d be crazy to think that you’re completely safe and in control.  I have lost my cool from time to time in the last two weeks (especially when I was in bed sick all day yesterday... feeling better now), but then I remember why I came back to Zambia and how important this adventure will be for my life going forward.   I love learning about, and experiencing, new cultures.  The only way you can do that is by dropping yourself right in the middle of something new. 

I am still not sure about my long-term schedule.  If my workload (or lack of) means that I fail to continue being a productive member of the college, then I will be on my way.  This has been my plan from the start, so we’ll just see how things go.  Let’s see what immigration thinks about this when I try to get my Passport stamped after 30 days.  When the time comes, leaving my Charles Lwanga family will be extremely difficult.

My schedule now includes a Friday afternoon literacy program.  This program has local grade school children come to Charles Lwanga on Friday afternoons.  The college students work on language skills with the learners they are paired with.  This is a really important program, and the college is focused on improving and strengthening the impact that these learning sessions have on the children (as well as the college students).  I look forward to contributing in any way possible.  The sports program took a step forward yesterday (3 October).  A contractor from Lusaka came to give an estimate on the tennis court site.  Once we get two more estimates early next week, the building process will begin.  I am also in talks with the Vice Principal about teaching a class/workshop on a specific topic within the area of social studies.  I'm not sure what I will teach, or when, but the next step is to work on aligning my topic with what is currently being taught at the college.  Let's see if I remember how to teach!  

Mrs. Daka, a lady who works at the college and is giving me cooking lessons, has given me my Tonga name (Tonga is the local language).  I am now referred to as Chabota, which means good/nice.  I’ll take it.  In addition to Chabota, I am called Mzungu, which literally means white man.  Hey, at least I know they are talking about me when I hear this name (I’m generally the only white person around).  Just to clarify, this is not a derogatory term.

Mrs. Daka teaching me how to cook (or she's doing all the cooking...)

Father Kabwe had a great message at mass last week.  He pointed out that we are given the gift of compassion.  What a gift to receive!  We all have it, even though that sometimes doesn’t seem to be the case.  With so many people struggling, failing to utilize this gift is the definition of selfishness.  We are also given the gift of speech, which should be used to comfort others.  In the past year, I have personally seen just how impactful this gift can be.  You don’t have to be religious to believe these two ideas; you just have to be alive.  In the Zambian culture, failing to ask someone how he or she is doing (I’m working on the Tonga version of this … Mulibuti) is seen as being disrespectful.  What a simple way to show somebody you care.

Pictures of snow back home in Wyoming have actually made me a little homesick.  That will happen when you are in the heart of Africa, and October is the hottest month of the year.  You always want what you don’t have, and snow is definitely on my wish list.

I hope you enjoyed this entry! As always, if you have any questions or comments, I love receiving
e-mails (and I respond every time!)  

Josh (Chabota)
joshdube6@gmail.com

I am in need of a good shoe shine