WOW!! What a culture!
Culture-- an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities and habits of the individuals in these groups. We experienced authentic Uganda, no doubt.
Uganda food consists overall of starchy staples like potatoes, beans, and cornmeal mixtures, greens, plantains, bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, and peanuts. Posho, it is usually made from maize. Matoke, locally also known as matooke, is a starchy variety of banana. The fruit is harvested green, peeled and then cooked and often mashed or pounded into a meal.
This man transports a large bag of coal, on his bicycle, for the kitchen. This was used to burn in the stove to prepare our meal. Also, as we were walking into this restaurant, we passed a corner hut that had some raw chickens hanging. Little did we know, that was our lunch! Fresh means fresh.
Muslim community school, we visited while on site to repair a bore hole (well). The students were almost at the end of their school year, ready for summer break!!!
Not an unusual site to see---buckets or jerrycans being carried home. We quickly realized that the head and arms are the way to transport everything, well, almost everything!
Jackfruit! Large fruit that grows on the trees everywhere you look. Sweet but not a favorite of mine.
Local market - - so many choice items. Each vendor beckoned us to enter their place and buy something from them. "Sister, come to my store," was something I heard all afternoon! (I had to leave some of my essentials behind just to fit the market items into my luggage)
Spiced African tea--- yes! What a delight, for sure. So much so that I bought each component to bring home and share with my girls during tea time. The tea is brewed in steamed milk and a special spice blend is added. Think chai tea--but better!!
We had the opportunity to visit a Ndiri Troupe Cultural Center in the evening for a spectacular experience. We watched the troupe perform Ugandan tribal dances as we ate a feast!
Very common to see woman carrying items on their heads
Children everywhere! Those eyes...
...draw you in!
Everybody was willing to help do the work, from the biggest to the smallest!
...those smiles just melt me!
These people, though poor, are very rich. Rich in what really matters! What a blessing to experience this culture. To be immersed into the lives of an underdeveloped country. To eat their food. To walk their walk. To buy their artwork and crafts. To hear their music. To see them dance. It was such an honor to be with them!
