Ulanga

Lugala/Malinyi, Ulanga


The place I spent 3 years of my childhood.

I came to Tanzania mid year 1976, at the age of 7.

My dad worked the a local hospital as a medical doctor. And he brought the family with him, including my sister and I.

Age 8-9'ish years old


Barefooted, with a slingshot around my neck.

I have likely my pockets full of either small stones, or clay marbles - both ammunition for the slingshot.


I had a Danish teacher in "Lugala mini-school" where I was the only student.

Later on, my sister also joined. Then we were two.


I never had any teaching in Kiswahili but picked it up by playing with the local boys.


Occupations were:

  • Fishing (especially during the flooded rain season of spring),
  • hunting small wildlife (rapids, small deer, monkeys, beavers)
  • hunting birds with slingshots
  • Football (soccer)
  • Handcrafting play tools (cars maid of banana leaves, of wood, of metal wire, of the fruits of baobab trees, etc.)
  • Acting human scarecrows from high built huts during the harvest season to protect the crops

Kinolo


One of my friends and playmates form childhood. I met with Kinolo in 1998, while traveing to Tanzania with my wife.

The blow figures shows with the guidance text, the trip, its destination, and some details about the Ulanga valley.

You can click on them to have them enlarged.