For the week of 4/5/10-4/9/10, our group had the Ekhuteleni cultural experience and the safari. Our group was divided into two groups, 26 in one and 26 in the other. On
e group visited Ekhuteleni first while the other was at safari and then midweek, the groups switched. So I was in the first group, and we went to the Ekhuteleni village first. There, we lived in cow dung huts with grass roofs...super rural! It was definitely an experience that I will never forget...and there even was no running water! But overall, despite from some people people gettting sick, it was an amazing experience and one of the best for me thus far.
Before arriving at Ekhuteleni, we got to attend a Zulu bridal shower. We did not know the bride, so it was kind of awkward at first, but our guide was part of the family so they welcomed us with open arms. The village was very rural, kind of in the middle of nowhere. I got to see some traditional Zulu cultural dance and see how people from the Zulu culture celebrate a pre-wedding ceremony. One of the huts was specifically designated as the slaughterhouse, which was a sight to see within itself. :) The entire community particpated in cooking the food
for the celebration. At times, I felt a little uncomfortable, and I really couldn't believe that people were living as they did in 2010, but it was very interesting and cool to see new things. It was also interesting to see the different interactions of the Zulu people, men, women, and children. One different thing was that all the women would dance and the men would just sit off in a distance and watch them. Many of the women were also dressed in traditional attire with beads and all. The cool thing about the pre-wedding ceremony was that the entire community was involved in preparing and celebrating, and even people from other communities came to give the bride gifts. :)
The drive out to Ekhuteleni was very rocky, but when we finally got there we were warmly welcomed. The view around us was gorgeous, and the people were so friendly
. But it was definitely an experience I will never forget. As soon as we arrived, we were fully immersed in the Zulu culture. Our cultural guide's name was Patrick and he was amazing. He and his family basically run the cultural experience on their own with help from some members of the community. As soon as we got to Ekhuteleni, we got to try the traditional Zulu beer as a welcoming gift from them and I drank the whole thing but it was really gross tasting to me. Also, they lit these herb branches that we like incense to tell their ancestors that new people were visiting the village. It was very different, and to be honest, it sort of felt like borderline cultic. But the weird thing to me was that they would sing Christian songs with us in Zulu, and they would say that they are Christians but then hardcore WORSHIP, not revere or respect, their ancestors. Later, I found out that their religion was a mix of Zionism and ancestry worship.
Later on in the day, we went on a hike to visit a traditional medicine man. On the way to the forest, where he retrieves his herbal medicines and stuff, we passed this place that Patrick pointed out was sacred ground. For the people of the Zulu culture when they passed this specific place, they would have to spit on a rock or a bundle of grass and then throw it in a pile on the ground to signify that the nation and the people were united against war or any harm. It is so crazy, but so interesting to me, to learn how other people from different cultures live. Their customs are so different mine, and I necessarily don't need to understand, but I need to learn h
ow other people in this world live. :) We also got to visit a lady who makes traditional Zulu beadwork for people to wear to celebrate marriages, engagements, and other celebrations. Also, she makes brcaelets for people to buy. I got to help her make a bracelet, and it is challenging work! The beads are so small and the hut is so hot, but that is how she makes her living. I was happy that I was able to see what I did.
e group visited Ekhuteleni first while the other was at safari and then midweek, the groups switched. So I was in the first group, and we went to the Ekhuteleni village first. There, we lived in cow dung huts with grass roofs...super rural! It was definitely an experience that I will never forget...and there even was no running water! But overall, despite from some people people gettting sick, it was an amazing experience and one of the best for me thus far.Before arriving at Ekhuteleni, we got to attend a Zulu bridal shower. We did not know the bride, so it was kind of awkward at first, but our guide was part of the family so they welcomed us with open arms. The village was very rural, kind of in the middle of nowhere. I got to see some traditional Zulu cultural dance and see how people from the Zulu culture celebrate a pre-wedding ceremony. One of the huts was specifically designated as the slaughterhouse, which was a sight to see within itself. :) The entire community particpated in cooking the food
for the celebration. At times, I felt a little uncomfortable, and I really couldn't believe that people were living as they did in 2010, but it was very interesting and cool to see new things. It was also interesting to see the different interactions of the Zulu people, men, women, and children. One different thing was that all the women would dance and the men would just sit off in a distance and watch them. Many of the women were also dressed in traditional attire with beads and all. The cool thing about the pre-wedding ceremony was that the entire community was involved in preparing and celebrating, and even people from other communities came to give the bride gifts. :)The drive out to Ekhuteleni was very rocky, but when we finally got there we were warmly welcomed. The view around us was gorgeous, and the people were so friendly
. But it was definitely an experience I will never forget. As soon as we arrived, we were fully immersed in the Zulu culture. Our cultural guide's name was Patrick and he was amazing. He and his family basically run the cultural experience on their own with help from some members of the community. As soon as we got to Ekhuteleni, we got to try the traditional Zulu beer as a welcoming gift from them and I drank the whole thing but it was really gross tasting to me. Also, they lit these herb branches that we like incense to tell their ancestors that new people were visiting the village. It was very different, and to be honest, it sort of felt like borderline cultic. But the weird thing to me was that they would sing Christian songs with us in Zulu, and they would say that they are Christians but then hardcore WORSHIP, not revere or respect, their ancestors. Later, I found out that their religion was a mix of Zionism and ancestry worship.Later on in the day, we went on a hike to visit a traditional medicine man. On the way to the forest, where he retrieves his herbal medicines and stuff, we passed this place that Patrick pointed out was sacred ground. For the people of the Zulu culture when they passed this specific place, they would have to spit on a rock or a bundle of grass and then throw it in a pile on the ground to signify that the nation and the people were united against war or any harm. It is so crazy, but so interesting to me, to learn how other people from different cultures live. Their customs are so different mine, and I necessarily don't need to understand, but I need to learn h
ow other people in this world live. :) We also got to visit a lady who makes traditional Zulu beadwork for people to wear to celebrate marriages, engagements, and other celebrations. Also, she makes brcaelets for people to buy. I got to help her make a bracelet, and it is challenging work! The beads are so small and the hut is so hot, but that is how she makes her living. I was happy that I was able to see what I did. One big thing that was really hard for me to understand was the lack of sanitation and water at the village. The people who live here, some of them whom do not have a choice but actaully some do, do not have access to clean, running water. Like for us, the village bought water from town. Also, the closest hospital to them is an hour to 2 hours away in a car, but the drive is outrageously dangerous, especially at night, and the road is not paved halfway there. NOt to scare anyone back home, but some people in our group got sick and had to be taken to the hospital and since I am one of the 6 nursing majors on this trip, I had to accompany them. Currently, everyone is fully recovered, but it was definitely a situation where all of us nursing majors had to put our brains together and make important decisions. I think even more though, because were were in a rural village where healthcare was not accessible. There were definitely some sketchy situations that we ran into, but I always knew that God was there with us with His hand of protection. Thank you so much to everyone from back home for all your prayers. I learned a lot from this trip, and it is one that I will never forget to say the least. :) Until next time...
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