Kumbali Village

To experience historical culture in Hawaii you go to a Luau.

In Malawi, you go to Kumbali Village...

So for the last night of our New Staff Orientation, like a good bunch of little new-comers, we loaded up the entire staff and off to Kumbali village we traipsed.

As we drove the sun was setting. We watched the show in awe. The camera cannot even begin to capture the beauty of the African sunset!!!

At Kumbali we were treated to a rustic village atmosphere. With the meat roasting over an open flame...

As we waited, socialized and ate traditional Malawian food,
there was a bongo band playing for our listening pleaasure.

(60s and 70s american pop... Interesting contrast!)

We enjoyed fire-roasted chicken and beef, Nsima, (a corn meal mush they eat at every meal - they eat with their hands and use the Nsima to scoop the food into their mouth) boiled pumpkin leaves (quite yummy!!!), boiled rake, and something very similar to spanish rice.

At one point the band began playing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". As we all sang along, I literally had tears running down my face I was laughing so hard.

"I'm sitting in Africa singing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"

I announced to everyone in general and no one in particular.

"♪♫ï¨*ï♪♫ oo-weeeee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-om-bom-ba-way... ♪♫ï¨*ï♪♫"

...Priceless!!!

Then the cultural entertainment began. The gentleman would explain the cultural significance of each dance, as well as the typical function where they would use that particular dance. Then they would dance.
Finally, they invited  everyone to watch the last dance for 2 minutes and them join them to learn the dance. SO fun!

 

After a fun filled evening, we laughed our heads off on the whole drive home. What a fun night!!

Y'all should come and check it out!!!