Mwenge ya Taifa (the National Torch) came to Kibondo yesterday afternoon. I’m still not entirely sure what the torch is or why it came to Kibondo, but I think it’s kind of like a Tanzanian version of the Olympic Torch – except instead of traveling around the world it travels around the country and sometimes coincides with the opening of a new school or something like that. While I might be a little hazy on those details, what I know for sure is that Tanzanians know how to party! The torch arrived sometime around noon yesterday and the festivities started shortly thereafter. I went to bed to the sound of the party continuing and it was still going strong when I woke up at 2am … and at 3am … and at 6am! And by “sound of the party continuing,” I mean I could hear the music and the MC’s voice like they were coming from a speaker right outside my window … except it was coming from Uwanja wa Taifa (the National Stadium) … which is a good 10-15 walk from my house.
At some point between 3 and 6am, I decided that as long as I was lying in bed listening to this raucous party, I might as well actually go see what all the fuss was about. So, as soon as it was light enough, I made my way over to the “stadium” (which is not as much as stadium as it is a large open area with a football (soccer) pitch, basketball/netball court, and wooden grandstand/stage). Unfortunately, the dancing/partying stopped right before I arrived and the speeches started, but there was still quite a sizable crowd there and at least I got a glimpse of the torch!
(click on the picture to see a larger version)
The torch is now on its way to some other part of the country – in fact, it passed me on its way out of town as I was walking to work. And while I’m not about to begrudge anyone here a chance at excitement (I did get excited about finding a garbage pit in my yard this weekend after all … I realize that truly exciting events are few and far between out here in Kibondo …), I wasn’t sad to see it go. All things considered, I think I’ll take a good night's sleep over a torch any day! :-D
2 comments:
Some countries party all night when a torch arrives, some party all night after the Boston Red Sox win a World Series.
Not sure either of them are completely rational.
celebrations - gotta have `em! we have a couple coming up this month: the billion $$$ political conventions. I've declared a media black out until they're over! I think I would prefer to be dancing to the torch!
Hey! Speaking of dance - you'll have to learn some African dances and teach us all when you get back!
Post a Comment