Welcome! Karibu!

This blog ("web log") is compiled by Sister Patrice Colletti, SDS to share the stories of our four Sisters who sojourn in Tanzania this summer, June- July 2011. The information below is from their emails; we've edited it for clarity.

Blogs typically go in "reverse chronological order", with the most RECENT posting at the top. So, as you read along, you're reading "backwards" in time, with the most recently received and posted information first.

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Questions on how this works? Please, contact S. Patrice Colletti at patricecolletti@sbcglobal.net.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Traditional Initiation for Children

On Friday, July 8, 2011 the children of the village return from a month long experience of initiation in the bush. According to custom, the children cover their faces during the celebration until they are given a coin.
There was much celebrating beginning with Mass for the Catholic children. (Both Christian and Muslim children participated in the initiation experience together. Boys and girls were in separate locations.
Local brew also flowed freely for the adults. Sr. Maxensia would take a sip for all of us, but Sr. Jeanette did get to hold the bucket of brew.
The boys were circumcised and both boys and girls were taught tribal traditions, customs, and respect.) We were introduced to the Muslim village elders who coordinated the initiation experience for the children.
For each boy a guide pole is made. We were honored with Sr. Maxensia to be given the guide pole by one family.
During the initial round of visiting, those who had just completed the initiation seemed to be practicing being patience. Later in the afternoon and during the weekend they were joyfully playing in their new clothes.

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