Party People
A wonderful party was hosted on Saturday evening by Priska. Arizona Chairman Fred welcomed Arziona Zambians and the Zambian Film Crew to the event. Native Zambian food was served including wonderful hors d'oevers made by Nali. Students Andrew, Danny, Don, Frackson, and Chibwale shared their reflections on the similarities and differences in U.S. and Zambian education.
Danny and Pauline tore up the dance floor. Jeniece and Jacob joined in the dancing. Frackson explained how popular Nigerian music was in Zambia. He also shared that his elder sister had come for a visit but she was a bit bored because life in the U.S. was not as communal as life in Zambia. He also explained a great deal about the differences between patrilineal and matrilineal tribal succession. It made it more clear why the situation with Konwandi was as it was for Jabbes. Later in the evening, Roy, Mike & Tracey came in from Tucson. Roy bears an uncanny resemblance to Snoop Dogg. Kennedy chatted a bit about Mondo music.
Bob, Ian and Sam were some of the first to arrive. They had been at the earlier gathering at Cyndi's house. Sam and Nali talked about the difficulty in finding good jobs in Zambia. The unemployment rate is quite high. At some point during the evening, nearly everyone shared how much they missed Zambia and how much they wanted to go home but, at least for right now, it's better to work here to support those still at home. At the end of the evening, Cyndi was asked to talk about the film projects. There was a huge outpouring of support from the Zambians in attendance. At the end of the evening, Paul (who has a wild and crazy sense of humor) said he'd be coming to Sundance with us this year ... if we rented a big enough house!