Quiet doesn’t happen very often in our house. Especially this week. The 2 year old has been in rare form!
But when quiet does come there is one noise I hate to hear. Hodi. The hodi is accompanied by a light clanging of the gate which sets off the dogs barking. Hodi is the word Tanzanians say to get your attention when they are at your door or gate. It’s like knocking. I don’t know why this bothers me so much. I mean I sort of do. When it’s Saturday and the kids are finally down for naps and I really just want to sit down and suddenly there is this unexpected hodi... it’s just annoying. But, it’s not just in those moments. It has come to bother me at any time. Just the word itself grates like fingernails on a chalkboard. As I ponder why this is I ask the question, Did it bother me this much when I lived in America and people knocked on my door? Wait a second. No one ever knocked on my door. For the most part we keep to ourselves. We don’t go randomly visit other folks in our neighborhood. Our society is so individual based, which maybe isn’t bad except that it is the opposite of community. I’m used to my privacy, but can it get in the way of relationships? So I’ll try to appreciate a little more the sense of community that this culture embraces and my own sometimes lacks and perhaps the hodis will bother me a little less.
(Isn't that photo gorgeous? Carson took it a while back. The whole world takes on this beautiful yellow haze sometimes before it rains.)
2 comments:
What a beautiful glimpse into the culture of Tanzania. Although, after living in the States, it would take some real getting used to. We have to be so intentional to even see our neighbors here. IT is so easy to never interact. Thanking for sharing so honestly.
Sometimes the Chinese language, any word or phrase, drives me up the wall. Also, on community, I understand (somewhat) how you feel. In Hangzhou, friends and relatives might stop by at anytime just to say hello and come in for a few minutes. Even if it's not a visitor for me, I'm expected to come out of the back room for studying and say hello. That can be really frustrating. Like you said though, we need community, so maybe the problem isn't them but us. Prayers for our patience and understanding. Also, see you all soon, I hope! Oh and yes, nice photo, Carson!
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