Country Mouse in Mozambique

As I said, here is a little more about rural Africa, where 70% of people live.

In rural Africa, most people are farmers. They live in small mud houses and may have very few possessions. The most prized possessions of a family are usually their home, the clothing they wear, and a radio or bicycle.

Today, more and more families are obtaining cell phones, which help them to connect with the outside world. Two major cell phone companies advertise everywhere in Mozambique, and it is very “cool” for kids and adults to wear tee-shirts advertising their cell phone company, which may be vodocom and mcel. Most rural areas do not have electricity though, so televisions, refrigerators, and even lights are impossible.

When people think of rural Africa, they think of tribes. Tribes, also known as ethnic groups, actually exist in both rural and city areas. Across Africa, there are very different types of tribes. Some tribes are just like modern day families – extended groups of people who are related and watch out for each other. Men in a tribe, who may even wear a suit and work in cities just like your own parents, might only relate to their tribe in the sense that they try to give jobs to other tribal members, vote for other members, or support them in other ways. Your tribe may also serve as a political party.

The tribal systems that I know the most about are those in Mozambique. Here, most can identify with a tribe the same way we can each identify with a race or historical background. For example, I identify myself as Irish, Scottish, and English. Here in Mozambique, someone may identify himself as Macua, Maconde, or Shangani. But, it does not change the way they dress or act.

In other countries, like Kenya and Tanzania, there are still famous rural tribes like the Maasii people who wear distinctive clothes. They wear very different clothes and do not participate in modern day society. Although today most do not participate in schools or work with other non-Maasii, the government is pushing them to become more a part of modern society. This is because many of the former rural tribes did not treat women very well, and did not allow girls to go to school. They tend to be are very poor and uneducated. They do not use electricity, and die very young because they have no healthcare. By bringing these tribes into the modern world, countries are helping them to build houses with electricity, enter schools, use doctors, and work with the rest of the country.

Note: It is illegal to take pictures of Maasii people, so I got these photos from the internet. Some photos of them are taken, but one must usually pay the communities money for the photos.

Pictures:
1 & 2 rural homes
3 An unfinished rural home
4 & 5: Maassi tribe members