Peace Corps

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Posts tagged culture

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I ate fried Mopane (Mopani) worms for the first time here in South Africa. Well, they are not actually worms, they’re caterpillars. So, I guess you can say that I’m officially an insectivore now. Mopani worms are a local delicacy especially for the Shangaan people. Sometimes they are fried and other times they are boiled. People eat them here like potato chips or popcorn. Eventually, if these creatures are allowed to grow, they will become a beautiful Emperor moth. - Peace Corps Education Volunteer Robin Al-haddad 

I ate fried Mopane (Mopani) worms for the first time here in South Africa. Well, they are not actually worms, they’re caterpillars. So, I guess you can say that I’m officially an insectivore now. Mopani worms are a local delicacy especially for the Shangaan people. Sometimes they are fried and other times they are boiled. People eat them here like potato chips or popcorn. Eventually, if these creatures are allowed to grow, they will become a beautiful Emperor moth.

- Peace Corps Education Volunteer Robin Al-haddad 

Filed under South Africa Africa food insects Peace Corps current countries culture Peace Corps Digital Library

47 notes

Si Said was a leather artisan with a business in the Marrakesh Souq and worked at the orphanage for boys handicapped with polio. He taught the boys how to make leather shoes and other leather projects and was committed to helping them find jobs so they could eventually support themselves. Si Said was a friend and co-worker who supported the Peace Corps mission and values. Morocco - 1974 

Si Said was a leather artisan with a business in the Marrakesh Souq and worked at the orphanage for boys handicapped with polio. He taught the boys how to make leather shoes and other leather projects and was committed to helping them find jobs so they could eventually support themselves. Si Said was a friend and co-worker who supported the Peace Corps mission and values.

Morocco - 1974 

Filed under Morocco current countries Peace Corps host country national culture Marrakesh Peace Corps Digital Library

41 notes

I took this photo on July 20th, 2008, in Concepcion del Sur, Santa Barbara, Honduras. This date marks the Dia de Lempira in Honduras, when the nation celebrates their cultural history and honors Chief Lempira, a Lencan warrior who unified hundreds of Honduran tribes in opposition against the Spanish conquerors. Many towns celebrate by holding a Day of Culture, where traditional food and dance are on display. This picture depicts a competition where school children used materials of local significance to make elaborate costumes. This girl is wearing naturally dyed corn husk jewelry, and carries a basket of a local variety of banana. Peace Corps Health Volunteer Andrea Hafar 

I took this photo on July 20th, 2008, in Concepcion del Sur, Santa Barbara, Honduras. This date marks the Dia de Lempira in Honduras, when the nation celebrates their cultural history and honors Chief Lempira, a Lencan warrior who unified hundreds of Honduran tribes in opposition against the Spanish conquerors. Many towns celebrate by holding a Day of Culture, where traditional food and dance are on display. This picture depicts a competition where school children used materials of local significance to make elaborate costumes. This girl is wearing naturally dyed corn husk jewelry, and carries a basket of a local variety of banana.

Peace Corps Health Volunteer Andrea Hafar 

Filed under Concepcion del Sur Dia de Lempira Honduras Lencan Peace Corps Peace Corps Digital Library culture host country national current countries holidays celebrations

51 notes

As a Volunteer I felt a need to provide business to the street vendor, and I needed a haircut. I looked at the BOENG 707 and the PARLIAMENT, but I have straight hair, so I opted for the MODELLE CURRENCY. It became clear that he had never cut a white guy’s hair. It didn’t work out too well. But, African style, we dealt with it both cordially and with a sense of humor.  Guinea - 1963

As a Volunteer I felt a need to provide business to the street vendor, and I needed a haircut. I looked at the BOENG 707 and the PARLIAMENT, but I have straight hair, so I opted for the MODELLE CURRENCY. It became clear that he had never cut a white guy’s hair. It didn’t work out too well. But, African style, we dealt with it both cordially and with a sense of humor. 

Guinea - 1963

Filed under Guinea 1960s hair Africa Digital Library Peace Corps Peace Corps Digital Library culture