MY TANZANIAN IDENTITIES
When reflecting on my experiences, I interpret my time in Tanzania through the expression of different identities. Identities are not only aspects of ourselves that we project, but how we are interpreted by other people. My relationships with my surroundings, other people, and myself are demonstrated through the identities that I adopted and were given to me.
WANAFUNZIAs a wanafunzi (student), we studied wildlife, wildlife conservation, Swahili, and different aspects of Tanzanian culture. I was a part of a group that studied Ndege (birds) and we woke up at sunrise to study species diversity and richness in varying habitats. In every situation I was in, I was always using these observation skills to build my understanding of the people and places I came into contact with.
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DADAA significant part of my experience was my three-week homestay in Bangata, a rural village outside of Arusha. My role in my family was Dada (sister) and I became very close to my siblings. My young sister Upendo was my guide, Swahili tutor, and close companion. My time in Bangata was significant because of the special personal relationships I made.
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MTOTOI was very fortunate that I got to spend four days and three nights with the Maasai in a small village near Lake Natron. My mama was only 14 but she adopted me as her mtoto (child). She dressed me, bathed me, fed me, and would constantly fix my hair. Since I was not circumcised or married, in the Maasai community I was classified as a child. This picture is from a Leshoto, where I am dancing with the other mtoto.
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MTALIIAs a student spending the semester abroad, I was frequently trying to distance myself from my identity as a mtalii (tourist). We would often exclaim “Mimi si mtalii, mimi ni wanafunzi!!” (I am not a tourist I am a student!) as we warded off Tanzanians selling cheap tourist trinkets. Wildlife tourism became a central aspect of our studies and we understood its implications on the environment and the Tanzanian people. This caused me to want to distance myself from the adopting the tourist identity. However, I visited the national parks and marveled at the wildlife and it is important to acknowledge our power and privilege associated with being tourists.
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RAFIKIAn important aspect of my experiences in Tanzania was the people that I shared them with as a rafiki (friend). We were together through the breathless sunsets and emotional breakdowns. Everything I learned was strengthened by the ideas, opinions, and experiences that I shared with my friends.
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