On Sunday, we went to Bisheshe. We were warmly greeted by the entire congregation who had been waiting for two hours, since the end of their church service. The children all came sprinting toward us and were all smiles. The leaders seated us at the front of the crowd and even provided a program for us to follow the events. They even went so far as to provide translators who sat in between some of us so that we understood exactly what was being said. These sorts of gestures display the generosity of the hosts and also show they view us as important and perhaps ?higher? people. I am still grappling with the idea of the Tanzanian social hierarchy and how we are magically at the top of it.
The visit to Bisheshe was quite possibly my favorite visit here. As an Anthropology major, I really enjoyed the song and dance. This was the first time I felt that true African dance was displayed. Their moves and the feeling of community I sensed made me completely energized, wanting to step up and get in the middle of all the action.
After sitting at the church service, we went to view the school and had some afternoon tea. We then sat down outside the school to watch another performance by the school children. It was great to watch that, too. It was amazing to see the discipline of the children and how well behaved they were. During the church part, they sat on the ground listening closely. At the school part, they did the same; and if they would misbehave, the one female teacher said something and the student quickly straightened up (as compared to the States, where many teachers have trouble maintaining command over their students). I think what it comes down to is an issue of respect. Young Tanzanian children are impressed with the idea that they must respect their elders as superiors. Many American children are just not brought up with the same ideals.