Symbiosis

Although my last post was filled with odd, and intriguing quirks into Basotho Culture, it has to be said that this culture produces some of the nicest, most generous, caring and sharing kind of people. This is something I have indeed adopted myself. It is a simple symbiosis, innately prevalent, allowing us to live and work peacefully together.

Incidentally, I believe the culture of America to be quite different than that of Basotho. Basotho are as perfect as you can get to a truly altruistic society. In the States we believe we are altruistic, but generally when good is done to us we often feel as though we owe something back, or if we do good to someone more often than not we crave something in return or recognition. 

The following examples depict my American opinions on favor-exchange and how Basotho generally don't expect anything in return in certain relationships I have created. 

‘Meighbor

My ‘meighbor (= ‘M’e + neighbor) is always bringing me bread, motoho (porridge), beans, and anything she cooks quite regularly. She does it purely altruistically, to make sure I am fed and happy. Because she offers me goods, I feel obligated to return the favor. Therefore I bring her any cool desserts I make, or cheesy American foods she hasn’t tried. It's an amazing symbiotic relationship we have, yet while she expects nothing, I would feel guilty not offering back. 

When I am running late from town, or it rains my ‘meighbor always takes care of my solar equipment without even asking. She is always looking out for me. Truly another mother. The only thing she ask for is for me to charge her cell phone, which I never deny. 

It is important to realize that being a “white” volunteer in a developing country has some innate rules. Doing an occasional favor can often lead to incessant pestering. Volunteers nowadays find our job more difficult, because missionaries and people of the developed world in the past used to give out so much, that people just expect everything from us. 

The relationship I have built with my 'meighbor is a unique exception, where we both help the other out while her culture doesn't expect anything in return and mine can. 

We also all share line dances together. 

Bana (little children)

On hot days I often run out of water, or it’s too hot to run to the store and buy eggs. Children are always flocking around me (I would too if I were them). I think its because they are bored, and because I am funny looking for them. So I employ them by giving them money to buy my various goods or to fetch my water from a different tap. Then I pay them with limpompong (candy), although they don't expect it. They basically go on little adventures and it is a win-win situation. As mentioned above, it is important to be generous in specific situations such as this. If you just give candy willy-nilly kids multiply like e-coli.

The Stray Dog named Chompy

Because I gave him my edible cat, he now protects me. People here think it is really odd that a dog just chills with me. 

Students

My students usually do their homework, and why is that? Because I promise not to take away their shoes, or make them sit on the floor if they do my work. Maybe this relationship is a bit more parasitic....

Randoms

This may be odd in American culture, but here as soon as you make conversation you are friends. People will get your phone number and just call to talk, they will remember you and pick you up on the street when you are traveling, and ask you very personal questions. The other day some random guy (my friend now) sat next to me on the taxi, took my ear phone, and commented to his friend (not my friend because we didn’t talk at that moment) and asked, “Take a picture with me and my American friend listening to American music.” Well I am his friend right? So I told his friend (not my friend, remember I hadn’t talked to his friend yet) to take my camera and take a photo. I taught her how to do it (now we became friends) and we captured the moment, along with several other blurry moments in a dark taxi. Symbiosis? I say yes because it was entertainment for us all. Just goes to show fun, enjoyable company is only one blunt, ballsy, and odd moment away. 

I wonder how this would fly in the States. 

Rural Legends

What do you do if something you need is missing, or perhaps misplaced due to your own personal negligence?

Stick out your right hand. Spit in it. Smack the spit pooling in your hand with the index and middle finger of your left hand. Now carefully watch where the spit flies. That is the direction of where your misplaced item is located. Happy Findings!

This is some quick and quirky old Basotho culture that even the Basotho now know to laugh at. I learned about this when hanging out with a few friends in village, and they began to further satisfy my enquiries into the quirky olden rural legends. Just how we Americans never pick up pennies tail side up, Basotho also have their own unique superstitions.

For instance, what if you did something wrong? Maybe you got a C- on your history paper. Or you took your parent’s car without telling them?

According to Basotho rural legend, there is only one foolproof way to avoid the yelling and the beatings. Pluck an eyelash, and throw it into the bush. Then angrily threaten at the bush-eyelash complex, saying things like, “You have been very bad hair on my eye, if I am punished, I will burn the bush in which you reside.” Done and Done.

Hmm, but what if that actually didn’t do the trick. Maybe you do start getting yelled at. Well the next step to at least not get beaten has a bit more basis. When someone is mad at you and yelling, the worst thing to do is to speak back and infuriate the over-reactant. When Basotho women in olden days did something wrong and wanted to avoid getting beaten, they would hold water in their mouth but not swallow. This would ensure that they wouldn’t react to what the man would say, and let him yell out his thoughts until he was tired enough to forget why he was angry.

I think we all enjoy being odd... 

Also the pictures are...quite random. Enjoy. The monkey was from vacation. The girls are from our schools celebration for great test results. And this one...is just my friend and I being really odd over Chinese food.