Our International Community

Iringa has become an International city over the last few years. A day never passes when we don't see and greet other "Musungus" (white folks, strangers) from the US, Canada, Germany, Australia, Holland, or Scandanavia. Many former Europeans now make their permanent homes here as well. Mixed into the local scene are third- and fourth-generation Indians; they're known as the businessmen. Quite a few Mideasterners own businesses as well. Even in our own little neighborhood we often see other white folks when we're out and about.

Though a white face might have become familiar in Iringa, we still encounter a curiousity level, especially from the children. Children sometimes want to touch us, and a few offer their heads to us as if asking for a blessing. Tiny children are wary--Russ and I have made several babies cry. Primary children always greet us when they see us, and "Good morning" is the standard, no matter what time of day.

Language doesn't seem to be much of a barrier here to being friendly. Tanzanian manners include enthusiastic greetings with lots of handshaking and handholding, and if they know you at all, also lots of hugging. They're a very physical society in that sense. It's usual to see people walking along and holding hands if they're friends--woman with woman or man with man.

One thing I have yet to see is a white student at Tumaini. The entire student body is Tanzanian. There are visiting professors from England, Denmark, Finland, and the United States...but no international student presence.