Zulu Culture and my Host Family

Sawubona! Hello!
I moved in with my host family yesterday :-) There is my mama, and her two sons, Carl and Brian. Carl is 22 and Brian is 26, engaged to Colo. (I'm still not 100% sure on Colo's name yet, it's pronounced with a clicking noise, and she gave me her nickname.) They live in Cato Manor, which is a township inside of the city of Durban.

They appear to be much better off than other families in Cato Manor. My mama has 3 bedrooms, a few satellite channels, a tv, a computer, and internet access. My mama deals with insurance, and has had 10 other American students before me. To wash up, we fill a basin with water to rinse off while standing in a tub. We do not have hot water, and must heat it up using an electric kettle.(I was fine with cold water as it is always quite humid and hot here!)

The way that they dress and speak to each other is different from American culture. It is considered rude if you do not immediately greet your mama in the morning, or whenever you see her again. They call each other mama, baba (father), bhuti (brother), and sisi (sister). These terms are even used to greet or connect with strangers, similiar to the way we use ma'am or sir. It is completely acceptable to walk into your yard without a shirt on (for both men and women), but you do not wear shorts or skirts above the knee. It is also less appropriate to wear jeans.

The South Africans are prideful about what they wear. I never see people (even the poorest people) in raggy or holey clothing. My mama was insistent that I iron my clothing for the next day.

We have been warned that they eat a lot of starch and meat. They have also been asked to provide us with some fruits and vegetables. My mama fed me the best meal I've had on the trip so far! It was a type of chicken stew, with vegetables and chicken wings. We were told that if we didn't leave a little something on the plate to signify that we were full, we would be fed continuously! In Zulu culture, our mama's strive to have the fattest guest. Also, the most attractive women are much larger than what Americans often think are ideal.

As a family last night, we watched a soap opera (Generations, in a combo of English and Zulu), the news (in Zulu), and the South Africa v. Zimbabwe soccer game. The soccer game was like a Packers/Vikings game - all the neighbors where yelling and many people were visiting the house, totally into the game. 

I brought my host family WI maple syrup. They liked the taste of it, but only Brian had ever had 'flapjacks' with syrup before. I will make them pancakes one morning (if I can get up before them - they all rise at 5am!).
This weekend we will spend with our host families, likely going downtown and to the beach. 


Hamba Kahle! Go Well!