Langa
Yesterday was our first iX excursion, the cultural one to an "informal settlement" called Langa.
After a quick cup of coffee, my first one in nearly 2 years (I was tired at 8:00 AM after the 50 mile bike ride the day before), we started the day with a performance by a dance team of kids and teenagers. They performed a traditional dance that was developed by workers to keep themselves occupied when they couldn't go home. It was a lot like "stomp" - there was no music, but rather the kids created there own music with 3 different sounds: a clap, a stomp, and a slap of their rain boot. The dancing was impressive and the show was fun to watch, and of course, it was our turn next. All the iXers got up on the stage and we were lead through a very basic version of the dance by one of the kids.
Next, we split into 3 groups and went off to do different activities. My group started with painting. We walked over to a white cinderblock wall, our blank canvas, and began to paint. We drew plants and animals, a lake and a beach, and a whole bunch of other things, and it was pretty good by the time we left (minus the red and blue stripped cow and random red balloon things - thanks Thomas haha). What was really cool though, was coming back and seeing the changes after the other two groups had added their own touches. What started as a hippo had transformed into a giraffe, and then a zebra, and finally a cow; a lion that started sitting behind plants had stood up. Here is the final product, with some of the painters.
Next, we moved onto the beading station. There was an old woman sitting at the table, showing us how to tie the knots and get started with our rings/bracelets/necklaces. I made 2 bracelets, the first in the colors of the South African flag and the second alternating green and yellow, the colors of the Springboks, the South African national rugby team.
Then, we went to the music room for a lesson in drumming. We played on classic African drums covered with animal skin, and it was a lot of fun banging on the drums and singing in the Xhosa language. I have absolutely no rhythm though (sorry Dad!) and was definitely not hitting the drum right because my thumbs are still bruised today.
Finally, it was time for lunch. We had a big meal with classic South African food including mealie pap, baked beens, potato/mushroom salad, roast chicken, and even a chicken foot, followed by banana pudding and banana bread for dessert. Before we left we got one more dance lesson in more modern hip hop, bought some trinkets from the little gift shop, and then were on our way.
After a quick cup of coffee, my first one in nearly 2 years (I was tired at 8:00 AM after the 50 mile bike ride the day before), we started the day with a performance by a dance team of kids and teenagers. They performed a traditional dance that was developed by workers to keep themselves occupied when they couldn't go home. It was a lot like "stomp" - there was no music, but rather the kids created there own music with 3 different sounds: a clap, a stomp, and a slap of their rain boot. The dancing was impressive and the show was fun to watch, and of course, it was our turn next. All the iXers got up on the stage and we were lead through a very basic version of the dance by one of the kids.
Next, we split into 3 groups and went off to do different activities. My group started with painting. We walked over to a white cinderblock wall, our blank canvas, and began to paint. We drew plants and animals, a lake and a beach, and a whole bunch of other things, and it was pretty good by the time we left (minus the red and blue stripped cow and random red balloon things - thanks Thomas haha). What was really cool though, was coming back and seeing the changes after the other two groups had added their own touches. What started as a hippo had transformed into a giraffe, and then a zebra, and finally a cow; a lion that started sitting behind plants had stood up. Here is the final product, with some of the painters.
Next, we moved onto the beading station. There was an old woman sitting at the table, showing us how to tie the knots and get started with our rings/bracelets/necklaces. I made 2 bracelets, the first in the colors of the South African flag and the second alternating green and yellow, the colors of the Springboks, the South African national rugby team.
Then, we went to the music room for a lesson in drumming. We played on classic African drums covered with animal skin, and it was a lot of fun banging on the drums and singing in the Xhosa language. I have absolutely no rhythm though (sorry Dad!) and was definitely not hitting the drum right because my thumbs are still bruised today.
Finally, it was time for lunch. We had a big meal with classic South African food including mealie pap, baked beens, potato/mushroom salad, roast chicken, and even a chicken foot, followed by banana pudding and banana bread for dessert. Before we left we got one more dance lesson in more modern hip hop, bought some trinkets from the little gift shop, and then were on our way.
One of my goals coming to South Africa was to immerse myself in the culture, and while I am definitely looking forward to the adrenaline pumping excursions coming up, I may have been most excited for this one. All in all we spent about 7 hours at the community center in Langa, and it certainly met my expectations. I was able to experience some of the music, art, and food of South Africa, while talking to people from there, including Louvoilo (which means joy in her native Xhosa language) and really getting a better sense of the place.
Bonus pic - here's the sunset from the beach last night:
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