Sunday, January 14, 2024
We left the lodge early, by 5:45 to visit the Hadzabe people and drove in the dark to where they were staying. They are very primitive and nomadic, often living with no shelters. They speak a “click” dialect. Luckily, a translator accompanied us. We followed several Hadzabe boys through the area while they hunted with bows and arrows. A boy got two songbirds. It was a grueling walk up a hill, our feet got soaked. Two women showed how to find and dig roots from a vine. The birds and roots were prepared and eaten while we were there. They danced for us, let us shoot their bows, and sold us some things at a good price. Very friendly and open, confident people.
We returned to the lodge to get our belongings and then had lunch on some large rocks with a great view. We went on to the Datoga people who were a bit less primitive, living in stick and cow dung rectangular houses. They are farmers and blacksmiths and make things out of metal to sell including some very nice bracelets. Their shop was under a tree with brush tied to a frame around it. We sat in a house, the women in our group tried grinding corn, and they asked us questions. They wanted to know how many cows I had and how many I paid for Gayle. They also wanted to know if our men cook. We bought a few things at reasonable prices. Doreen gave the kids stuffed animals and books. Many children and adults enjoyed looking at the books.
We went to an orphanage in town where the teacher and children seemed happy, even though conditions were basic. Doreen made arrangements to get bulk food for them. Then we went to the Country Lodge in Karatu. The lodge had hard-sided rooms, a pool, a nice main lodge and beautiful landscaping. Gayle took a quick swim before dinner. Good dinner and then to bed.
