The first couple days of homestays are notoriously awkward and uncomfortable, as most of us are not well-versed in Muslim culture and customs. It can be hard to know that something as simple as eating food with your left hand can be considered quite offensive by Muslims. Fortunately, we have all been placed with wonderful families who understand that we are going to make these kinds of slip-ups (although I haven't heard of anyone doing anything too terrible yet).
My family is fairly small - I have a father, Othman, who restores beautiful antique furniture; a mother, Aisha; a 15 year old brother, Omar, who is still in school and is also studying religion; an 8 year old sister, Shaheen, who loves to paint, and a 3 year old brother, Azad, who just giggles and runs around like a crazy person. They are all very welcoming and it has been so interesting to see inside the life of a typical family here.
Since it is Ramadan, almost everyone on Zanzibar is fasting (with the exception of young children, the sick, and the elderly). My whole family is fasting, and so I decided to try to fast until Eid, which comes in a little under a week. I must admit, after day one I have no clue how people go for a month without eating or drinking during the day - I'm letting myself cheat and drink water so that I don't die over here (don't worry, mom).
In other news, we have started our coastal ecology lectures at the nearby Institute of Marine Sciences, a branch of the University of Dar es Salaam. We have already learned a great deal about the artisanal fisheries and other coastal trades that are common here on Zanzibar, and their effect on the local environment.
More to come soon! Kwaherini familia na rafiki!
Brooke & Co.
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