Eid al Fitr

Eid al Fitr mumbarak to everyone - Ramadan has finally passed and now there are 4 days of celebration (Sept. 10-13). Everyone had different expectations of what it would be like and I think we were all a little surprised by our experiences. From what we can see, it is a holiday that takes many forms: from little kids trick or treating for money and toys on the streets to crazy carnivalesque venue in the town center to music and dancing all night and all sorts of family coming from everywhere. The best part is that everyone dresses up in their best clothes - whether it is an 80s prom dress or anything with rhinestones, glitter, sequins or rainbow satin. It was an exhausting two days off but now we are back to school and some sort of a routine.





Almost all of the SIT girls got henna for Eid, which is customary for Swahili women. It is so beautiful to see all of the intricately designed henna tattoos on girls and women of all ages.



Over the past week we have been continuing our studies in both Swahili and coastal ecology. We took a field trip up north to Matemwe and visited a seaweed farm, a common livelihood for many women in rural Zanzibar. The trade, however, can have damaging effects on the vitality of the tidal habitats if it is overdone or done improperly.



We have also had some time to explore Stone Town a little more. It has been wonderful to walk through the winding alleys and begin recognizing landmarks or street signs or even faces.



More to come soon, promise. Kwaherini!

Brooke