THE WEDDING GIFT

I was so excited that my half-nephew, Aaron, was getting married, but I had a hard time deciding what to get as a wedding gift. I ended up buying a set of fertility dolls. I started feeling a little sheepish, as the kitch little dolls weren't even South African (I think maybe Mozambiquean). I decided I'd try and make them a little more meaningful by taking them around the village and taking photos with the dolls in some every-day settings. It turned out to be an incredibly fun project that really opened my eyes to the interesting things all around me that I increasingly take for granted (as I become a local). Everyone joined me in my enthusiasm for the pending nuptuals of the new couple; they were more than happy to pose for the photos. I printed the photos and created a small album, and mailed it off with the dolls in May. Sadly, the package has not yet made it to Wisconsin. The actual wedding has come and gone. However, thanks to digital technology I still have copies of all the photos, so I am publishing them now in a venue that hopefully the whole family will see!

Here I am with the whole family. I didn't quite remember to get the fertility dolls in this one, but look carefully for them in upcoming photos!




This is a learner from Timamogolo, my key school, who was kind enough to help me get a shot of this cow. The bells provide a charming melody.





Here is my favorite chicken family. They live happily in my yard, and are cared for by my Koko (grandmother). She also lovingly prepares them on special occasions.


Here is my host mother cooking up the porridge (bogobe) for the family. We have a stove, but the family prefers to cook some things over the fire. She is an excellent cook.


This is my little sister, Tshoga, outside the cookhouse; inside which her mother is cooking the bogobe. (This is the builidng I drew.)