Zambia turned 50 not too many days ago and in honor of this
occasion I thought I’d write a post about what makes this place great. All too
often, I find myself adding to an endless list of problems I see in this
country. While this can be the catalyst for great change, it can also be a
black hole that sucks all the light from the surrounding universe into a thoughtless
space of negativity. The things that go wrong and the slogging, endless expanse
of improvements, rather than spur you energetically towards change, can
sometimes drive you into the ground.
Well no more. Zambia I love you and here’s why.
1)
Singing:
It is used to pray, to commune, and just to pass the time. No one cares if an
individual can’t carry a tune- as a group they will make a joyful noise. I love
that it is also taught from birth- not with sheet music and scales but
intuition and communal thinking. A history in song.
2)
I love that foot/bicycle
traffic outnumber motorists 50 to 1.
3)
I love that everyone
is a farmer in some capacity. People here make things grow out of the ashes
(often in a literal sense).
4)
People here know nothing but perseverance.
5)
There are
no strangers. Everyone is a part of a larger community.
6)
I love that friends
hold hands. Men with men, women with women. You tell a good joke? Well
someone will physically let you know they enjoyed it and I think that is truly
lovely. No one is ever timid or threatened by it.
7)
Literally anyone
will cook for you, especially if you look like you might not know how.
8)
I love that it is customary to laugh with your whole body.
9)
This is a nation
of true patriots. Everyone who is Zambian, loves Zambia.
10)
I love that this nation takes such pride in nonviolence. In a world that
sometimes rushes to conflict, these countrymen will always shake their heads
and say, “not here, not in Zambia.”
11)
I love the term, “be free.” I will use it forever after.
12)
I love that this
is a country of tribes. The aforementioned culture of passivity has given
us one of the few countries that has not reduced its tribal nations to nothing
but have unified them into a nation with 73 languages.
13)
Kids, even if you scare the shit out of them, will
always greet you. This is a blessing and a curse.
14)
NO MATTER WHAT, everyday someone will ask how you are.
15)
The old
people here could not be more precious
16)
Breastfeeding
is in no way a problem for anyone. Period. You will never be asked to
leave. You can whip your breasts out at any time. Hell, you can present before
parliament with a baby at your teat because guess what- that’s what God put
them there for and literally no one cares.
17)
I love how
creative kids can be with garbage. This may sound repugnant to our western
audience but it is a testament to ingenuity when I can hand a child a soda
bottle and suddenly it’s a train with a working steam engine. The Toys ‘R Us of
the developing world are literally all around you.
18)
While burning the land is mostly a terrible
process which I oppose, it is strangely beautiful
to watch the fields burn in the evening.
19)
No one is afraid to hold or grab an animal. Tell
someone “hey hand me that chicken” or “grab that rat before it gets away!”- no
one bats an eye.
20)
When the grasses
are tall, every breeze transforms you to a sea of gently lapping gold.
21)
Unlike most every other volunteer, I like the night sounds of animals- roosters,
dogs, goats, whatever it may be. The sounds of the barn are my “ocean noises.”
22)
The stars.
Are. Epic.
23)
I love that the second hand ski jackets come out
when it hits 65 degrees
24)
Everyone
is a dancer. No wallflowers here. Are you three years old? Well I’m sure
you’ve perfected that twerk by now and made me totally uncomfortable with it as
I pass you on the street.
25)
The dancing
is uninhibited and just plain badass (for the most part).
26)
I enjoy that even adults need energizers. Does the idea of doing “Simon Says” at
your age make your eyes uncontrollably roll inside your head? Well let me tell
you within 3 minutes you’ll be giggling like your 6 years old. If you feel you
are too adult for an energizer well you probably shouldn’t try to wake up in
the morning, because you’re pretty much too old to live.
