Kilimanjaro Expedition Dispatch
July 17, 2009 – Hunting with the Bushmen
Practicing with their bow and arrows
Hello this is Marjorie calling from culture day 2, July 16. Today was mainly spent traveling from Marangu to Lake Eyasi, about 6 hours, but I didn’t mind. We had some lovely discussions, stopped for lunch, visited some gift shops and enjoyed the scenery along the way. At one of the gift shops we found the game ‘Boa’ which I have been looking for.
Traditional ways to start a fire is a common site
We reached Lake Eyasi around 4:00pm and I was shown around the property where I was going to stay. It was a very impressive tented accommodation, another experience for me.
I rested bit, watched the sunset, had dinner and off to sleep I went.
On July 17, culture day 3. It was an action packed day. We were off to hunt with the Bushmen around 5:30 am before it got too hot. We had an interpreter as the Bushmen have their own language. It was a successful hunt which ends in the Bushmen bbqing their catch. We watched them as they dug for root vegetables and there was target practice with a bow and arrow, song and dance after which we moved on to see a black smith at work and visit a Chagga family in their home. We are given a tour and there is more song and dance which I join in on. Great fun!
We arrived back about 10:30am and the rest of the day was spent relaxing, walking to the lake, at the end of the day we climbed a large, high cliff and watched the sun set.
Another great day.