I wanted to post an addendum to my previous post about being a black foreigner in South Africa. I don't think I included that I was called an umlungu by the school children (playfully of course). The direct translation of this word is "white man." Now granted, I am not a white man, but as it was explained to us in Zulu lessons, umlungu has been used to refer to foreigners." I thought this was a pretty interesting tidbit to include.
I also wanted to recount a conversation that I had with my homestay mama. She asked me "Where do you think you came from?" I didn't know what she meant, so I said..."I'm from America." "No!" she said while laughing, "how did black people get to america?" I then told her about the Middle Passage-that many black people came to America as African Slaves. She just nodded, but that wasn't the answer that she was looking for. At this point, I was a gently frustrated. In a polite manner, I asked "Where did we come from then?"
She explained to me the story of Shaka Zulu. Now, I've head this name before, but only in comedic sketches of sorts. I had no idea that he was an actual person! King Shaka was an intense warrior, and from what I understand wanted to take over Africa. Obviously his legend has become a tall tale, but one fact remains: he was a ferocious warrior. She told me that King Shaka wanted to gain the knowledge of the abalungu (the white men), so he sent black people all over the world to collect knowledge, and to bring that back to Africa. "You are," she told me, " one of the lost children of Shaka, coming back with the knowledge of the White Man"
Interesting story, I thought. That was a narrative that I had never heard before, explaining why there exists a black international cultural diaspora. I also did further reading, which said that King Shaka never married and never had kids (a strange thing for a Zulu man). Some scholars believe that because of this Shaka might have been homosexual.
Coming back to the present: It is almost a week into our allocated month for an Independent Study. I have yet to meet with my advisor due to staff protests at her University. Moreover, my first interview was postponed. I have been trying to get some reading and source-logging done, but it's just not happening. I'm hoping that next week will be VERY different. If not, I don't know what I will do for my project. Its been raining almost every day here, as the season changes to autumn. I mustered up the resolve to start working on my project today, and as soon as I began, the power went out.... I guess that's a sign for something.
Anyway, next week WILL be different. It has to be. But as I told one of my friends, difficulties make research more interesting. You just have to roll with the punches.
I also wanted to let my readers know that I am not intentionally trying to sound pessimistic in my posts. Regardless of the difficulties and challenges, I am enjoying myself in South Africa. The challenges are just more interesting to report.
- Hambani Kahle!
- Ezelle
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