"It's Africa, Baby!"

I have made many references in my previous posts to the immense differences between the Tanzanian culture and our own. I have compiled an ongoing list of many of these notable differences to share with you my observations. Enjoy!

Yes, Americans really are self-absorbed. Some of you may be taken aback by this bold statement but it was one of my first observations upon arriving here. While I fully admit my own guilt as well, I have come to realize how complacent our culture has become with the relative lack of interaction with people around us. Even on the small campus of Ohio Wesleyan, I would rarely extend a smile let alone a warm greeting to passing strangers, not out of rudeness but out of normalcy. Here I have found that people walk with their eyes looking ahead, aware of almost every person who passes and quick to offer a hello. If I did not know any better, I would assume that everyone here knew one another. The few locals who have had the opportunity to visit the U.S. have confirmed this, most of them admitting how much they missed the friendliness of their neighbors in their own country.

PDA is forbidden. The program directors were quick to emphasize this aspect of Tanzanian culture. Unlike the United States, men and women do not display their affection in public, even in such seemingly innocent forms such as hand holding. Rather, you will see men embracing men or women clasping the hands of another female, not in a sexual connotation as would be assumed in America but rather in a way to express companionship and respect. I will admit the first time I saw two men holding hands I had questions, and it intrigues me that even husband and wife are essentially forbidden from displaying their love in public.

Nose picking isn’t just for toddlers. I must admit that I am incredibly grateful that nose-picking is discouraged at a young age in the U.S. After considerable discussion with other volunteers, we all agreed that this is not the case here in Tanzania. I have seen men, women, and children of all ages engage in this rather repulsive behavior, some even amidst a conversation! I do not understand this and while I am sure it has no cultural origin, it is definitely quite an obvious difference.

Squatty potties are not only normal but also preferred. Even before my arrival I received many comments from friends and family about the amenities, or lack thereof, in Africa. I admit that I am incredibly spoiled at my homebase by fairly regular warm water, indoor showers, and toilets (with seats). However, once outside the Americanized walls of CCS, I have to admit I have learned to exercise amazing control. Using the restroom on home visits or even at schools is out of the question if you don’t feel comfortable with an unsanitary hole in the ground, nauseating smell, and no toilet paper. Oddly, even in places frequented by mzungus (white people) where one stall offers the comforts of a toilet, locals prefer to squat (at least the women). I have learned to make many adaptations to my usual routine, but this is one area where I probably will never become accustomed to.

Mosquito nets are more common than electricity. While measures are taken here at CCS to limit the number of insects, cases of malaria have still been identified in volunteers. Hence, I sleep most nights in my own little safe haven. It is still slightly bizarre to wake up in the middle of the night completely enclosed by a net, but I suppose it’s better than waking up with 100 bug bites. I’ve noticed that in every home I’ve visited, a net is carefully stowed above the bed. While electricity or running water does not seem a necessity, mosquito nets are a staple in every home.

There is no such thing as petty theft. A lot of people have asked me whether I feel safe, and I always reply with this: if a thief snatches your purse on the street, one sudden cry for help (“He stole my bag!”) is essentially a death sentence. To explain this further, the people are the law, and if an individual is accused amid the public eye, he will not escape the mob that will chase him down. So yes, I feel very secure here knowing that. And one more thing, you are welcomed to every ATM, bank, or exchange bureau by a man with a very large gun. I don’t know my weaponry, but I am pretty certain that these guns are of military power. A soothing thought as long as you aren’t the bank robber.

Pedestrians have no rights. I have mentioned this before, but even after three weeks I have had plenty of close calls while crossing the street. Speed limits are not posted, and if they are in fact present, they are certainly not enforced. There are neither sidewalks nor crosswalks, and during the busiest times downtown, I feel like a character in the game Frogger. I have come to realize that the only law enforcement efforts I have seen are random road blocks to check for licenses and proper registration stickers. I suppose since most crimes are handled by members of the general public and the remaining offenses go unreported, police officers have plenty of free time.

Big business and government in the U.S. is saintly, in comparison. Corruption dominates this country, only perpetuating the cycle of poverty that renders a large majority of this population helpless. I have come to realize that government aid is a foreign concept here and that most expect very little of their elected officials. While at the national level funds are allocated to provide schools with teachers and books, hospitals with soap and bed linens, or even simply road repair and maintenance, it is a rare occurrence that money is ever leaves the hands that receive it. Every volunteer has encountered this frustrating reality at his placements, but little can be done from where we stand. In comparison to the United States, the Tanzanian republic is only beginning its era of democracy. However, juvenility wouldn’t hold up as an excuse in an investigation that would make the Enron case look like a walk in the park.

Parental affection ceases at age twelve. I recently learned that once a child, both male and female, reaches the ages of eleven or twelve, their relationship with their parents, at least the emotional and physical components, is eliminated. In other words, kids no longer are hugged, kissed, or greeted with warmth by their parents when they reach adolescence. This is particularly true in father/daughter and mother/son relationships. It is even considered wrong to brush shoulders with elders of the opposite gender. I can’t imagine not giving my mom a hug and kiss when seeing her now, let alone when I was twelve!

Obama is an international celebrity and 2Pac may be living in Tanzania. It is amazing how much of American culture has spread around the globe. The customized dala dalas provide endless entertainment here. I was thrilled to see several Cleveland Browns logo; at least some one thinks they are good. Obama is everywhere here, literally. There are t-shirts, signs, kangas (skirts), stickers, etc. Little kids scream his name at us and they claim him as a Tanzanian (although I am pretty sure his roots are traced back to Kenya). Oh and a side note, 2Pac music is blasted everywhere. It makes me smile every time.

So I suppose this list could be endless but I will spare you of additional boredom. These are some of the more interesting aspects of the culture that I have encountered here. While many may seem drastically different than life in the U.S., it has not been all that challenging to adjust to life in another country. With a positive outlook and a whole lot of patience, it has been nothing short of amazing here.