Friday, May 30, 2008

Friday, May 30, 2008

Laundry

I hurried off to find the Internet yesterday because I could not get it to work at Tangaza. In is about a 15-minute walk to a hotel. About 2 minutes before I got to the hotel it started to rain. I knew I could not make it back to Flora in time to get the clothes off of the clothes line, so I went ahead and sent my email.

When I got back all the clothes were wet. I left them dripping outside. At least the sky had cleared. This morning when I got up, the clothes were all still very damp. I prayed for sunshine. When I got back, almost all of the clothes were dry. Only my blue jeans and wool hiking socks are still outside. I felt an odd sense of accomplishment. They look basically clean, they smell alright, there are no obvious marks on them. I might be able to make this work.

Homework

I worked steadily after getting back to Flora until 6:30PM when I took a 10 minute nap. I got up and went to dinner. I end up sitting with two women who spoke no English. I thought I would finish and then join one of the other tables, but while drinking my second cup of tea I spilled it completely down my shirt and pants. I tried to make a dignified exit, but that is hard for me under normal circumstances.

I came back to the room and typed, read, worked on my research paper, wrote interview questions until about 12:30 AM.

Each night we have a process sheet that takes over an hour, but they are very interesting.

Three-legged stool

Today the early lecture was on Adulthood and Elderhood in African culture. One of the interesting stories was told by a woman about the way children are raised to respect the traditions of the community. In her tribe there is a specific three-legged stool that only elders are allowed to sit upon. If a young child sit upon the stool they will be scolded, if a child sits on such a stool they will receive strokes with cane,

if an adult who is not an elder sits on the stool they will be sent away from the community. They will be sent back to their mother’s home to be retrained and then fined for usurping the power of the community.

Britain’s Gulags

I learned about a dark chapter in Kenyan history today. The Mau Mau revolt of the late 50’ and 60’s. The British were extremely harsh in trying to put down this uprising. Eventually they held over 800,000 people in detention camps for upwards of 5 years. Lots of torture, lots of starvation, lots of evil. This is in the background of some of the land tensions that are going on even today.

Ghettos

Dr. Katola described the social changes that urbanization is bringing to African families. Based on African cultural values of hospitality, taboos of who can be under the same roof (a son-in-law cannot sleep under the same roof as his mother-in-law), and the expectations of wealth sharing have thrown families into crisis has increased the housing burden, and made it difficult for a person to make a living farming or working in the city.

We got out late so we missed prayer before lunch. Lunch was some rice and a chicken drumstick. Humble, but tasty.

Field Research

One of the features of the program is actually going to interview people about the topic of our research projects. Here is the report I will turn in next week:

Name of Field Assistant: Maurice Ogolla

Place Visited: Catholic University

Date and Time Spent: We left Tangaza at 12:50 and walked to the Catholic University. On the way we discussed my topic. We arrived at the Catholic University at 1:15 and met as went through my proposed questions for my first interview. We talked until 2:00 when my interview began. The Interview lasted 1:20 min. We then departed and walked to the Mattatu stand and I came back to Flora. I arrived here about 5:00 PM. I re-read my notes and typed them that evening.

Purpose of research: To discover the concept of reconciliation in African Culture in specific reference to the story of the Prodigal Son.

Description of experience. We had a delightful conversation with Peter Kiarie. He is a long time faculty member of the Catholic University. We met in his office. After introductions and pleasantries I introduced the topic of my inquiry and began by asking about the concept of original sin. Dr. Kiarie gave me an introduction to the creation story of the Kikuyu and its relationship to what a person is supposed to do. This served as a framework for understanding how a person would be out of step with others and therefore what requires reconciliation. We discussed the traditions of sin vomiting, the scapegoat, and purification. We also discussed the casting off ceremony in which a person is forced from the community. We talked about the punishment and cause of a person being exiled. We talked about the role of the father in making things right with a rebellious son. In particular I asked about an Elder running to greet a rebellious child. Dr. Kiarie, paused thought of this and then laughed. No, this would not happen in Kikuyu culture. The interview ended with a review of the importance of the community being one.

This sterile reporting can’t possibly contain the wealth of information I got during the interview. The things I learned were huge. I’m not sure if I am going to post them now or after I get to share them when I get home. Still thinking on these things.

Exercise

I am very concerned about staying in shape while here studying, but have not found a way to work out that is very effective. The compound is small and they have no treadmill. It is not safe for me to roam the streets at night. Also since I am frequently the only non-African I see, I keep wondering what it will look like if I start running down the street. I took the chance before dinner. I ran down the street, up to a pedestrian walkway that has steps leading over the road, and then ran back and forth across the road going up and down the stairs on either side. The air always feels polluted here, and it was worse being above the street, but I could tell that it got my heart racing. Then I walk, jogged back to the Flora. Not a perfect workout, but better than sitting all day.

Dinner

I had the most interesting dinner yet. I sat with my friend from Spain, a man from Germany who is building schools in the Sudan, and an Ethiopian Roman Catholic Priest.

Most of the food had onions so I just had potatoes and some egg dish. They brought some fruit after the meal was started and that was a first. It was peeled pineapple and OK.

The conversation was great. We talked about Spain (I had been to several places that we talked about together). We talked about Germany (he is from Munster, which in Baptist history is the center of the first massive persecution and execution of Baptists. He knew all about that, but told me he was not a threat). He told us about biking across S. America, twice. Each time he has spent 6 months and went over 11,000 km. He must be wealthy and healthy.

The Ethiopian priest was quiet until the end. I told him about our work and he got very excited. We talked for a few minutes. I started telling what I was learning. He confirmed every single thing I asked him about. It was as if I was describing the cultural situation in Ethiopia. We made an appointment for tomorrow and are going to spend more time together! I am going to interview him for my paper.

Homework.

I finished my first sort through the 3000 Henri Nouwen cards! This feels like a huge accomplishment. I am well on my way to structuring the spiritual devotional for 2009.

I wrote a paper, reviewed my interview notes, and typed this finishing about 10:30 and decided to call it quits and celebrate by watching a movie on my laptop.