On Family

What/who do you think of when you think about your "family"?

Me, I think of my sister, my mom, my dad and my grandmother. Of course, I have cousins, aunties, uncles as well, bu they are not really part of my everyday life.

In Africa, the definition of family is much broader. Few families live only with their direct relatives. Usually, the people living in a household are extended family, and taking care of them seems to be the most normal thing. Statistically, every Zambian has lost at least one family member due to AIDS or Malaria. That means that there are many orphans or half orphans that need to be taken care of. Three to four generations living in one house is normal. The respect of age is a thing that strikes me most. 4 years old take care of 2 years old, 6 years old take care of 4 year old, and so on. Younger family members have to serve the older ones, orders are being obeyed without questions.
The bond people have to their family is much tighter than in western culture. Children usually move out when they get married, not before. They couldn't even if they wanted too.
If a men wants to get married to a women, he has to ask the parents for permission and save up enough money to pay the brides family a suiting price. These bridal price can be some cattle or money or other material gifts. But we shouldn't label this tradition as "buying a wife", since it has been in african culture for centuries and is more the proof that the man will be able to take care of his wife and future family.
Getting to know family life and traditions is probably one of the best experiences of my stay here in Zambia. I love staying with my host family, sharing the same food with them and learning about their way of living!

My little "sister"

Muli Bwuanji? (How are you?)
just wanted to share a picture of me and my little 4 year old host sister Sarah with you. She is absolutely adorable and I'm completely in love with her!
When I get home after practice, often tired and sometimes frustrated, she will come running towards me, jumping into my arms and smiling at me, making every little worry on my mind vanish at the spot.

Haircut, anyone?

just another small business in the townships of Lusaka....

Me in action

Hello people!
once a week, the coaches of our academy play against one of the teams. Lats week it was the girls teams and of course, we needed to win not to embarrass us.
But with me as a striker that was no problem :-)
It is fun to play against the kids. The bigger boys are really good and we usually are happy if we draw against them. I have improved my skills and condition since I'm here, and really want to start playing football again when I'm back in Germany.

Impressions of a ball game

Lusaka. Sunday afternoon, 14.45h. I am walking back home. The streets are empty. Where are all the cars, the people, the noise? Has there been a state of emergency declared?

No, the Chipolopolo Boys, Zambias National football team, are about to have a game against South Africa. It’s the last game in the qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations next year, and Zambia needs to win it to qualify. Of course, nobody wants to miss it.

So I rush home, to make it on time. In the living room, the whole family is already waiting for the game to start. Unbelievably, the Zambian captain scores three goals in the first 20 minutes of the game and makes the win over the big rival South Africa perfect. People are going crazy in front of the TV, and those who don’t have one go crazy in front of the radio. The celebrations are to last for two days, as if Zambia just had won the world cup.

It is amazing how a game of football can unite a nation, make people forget their problems and sorrows, even if it is just for a short time. I have experienced that feeling in Argentina before and it still gives me shivers…..

That’s the beauty of football!

Zambias Wilderness

Hello People, wherever you are!
On tuesday me and 5 other europeans who are also working as volunteers in Zambia, came back form a 3 days trip to northern Zambia. We had a wonderful time with our rented 4x4, which gave us the freedom of going wherever we want. You really need this kind of vehicle since tar roads are rare and the conditions of the rest of the roads is terrible. We camped next to a beautiful waterfall, on the shore of a very clean lake, and in a Natinal park with hippos, crocodiles and other wild animals.


At night, we always had a barn fire.
The first night, we heard drums and singing from a village and decided to see what was going on. The answer can be seen on the left: villagers having a great party! we joined them and tasted the home-brew-beer made out of corn and tasting.....let's say-strange and strong! It was so great to celebrate with these people ("we're celebrating that we're drinking!") even though communication was hard due to different reasons ;-)

The next day, we visited a cave from the stone age with interesting paintings and lots of bats and tried to find Lake Waka Waka, which was quite a quest, not having any accurate maps, with no signs around and everz villager telling us a different way. but we finally got there and had a nice evening swimming and hanging out. No one was to be seen anywhere.
The last day we went to Kasanka National Park,one of the samllest but best run NPs in Zambia. It was so nice there as well. Unfortunately, we only got to hear the hippos nearby, and no crocodiles were to be seen either. but we saw some rare Antelopes, wild hogs and some strange spider!
Altogether, it was a wonderful trip into the wild beauty of Zambia. But now I am happy to be back in Lusaka again, sleep in a bed and eat Nshima, the main local food which is served for almost every meal.
till next time, hope you are all well!
Hanno