Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The end approaches

In 9 days time, I will be boarding a plane and flying back to the olde USA.

But that's the future, we're on the past now.

Last week classes ended, which we celebrated with 3 exams in Setswana. Thursday was quite long because of that, with 1 written and 2 oral exams. However, I am now completely done with Setswana, as well as my history course, for which we had a take home essay for an exam.

Saturday morning we had presentations for the research projects we had been doing all semester for our CIEE study abroad class. It was very long, but Rebecca and I's project was definitely the best, as no one can beat researching the animal myths and folktales of Botswana.

On that note, here's a myth (myths involve some sort of divinity while folktales do not) that I found interesting.

The Moon, it is said, sent once an Insect to Men, saying: “Go thou to Men, and tell them, ‘As I die, and dying live, so ye shall also die, and dying live.’” The Insect started with the message, but whilst on his way was overtaken by the Hare, who asked: “On what errand art thou bound?” The Insect answered: “I am sent by the Moon to Men, to tell them that as she dies, and dying lives, they also shall die, and dying live.” The Hare said, “As thou art an awkward runner, let me go.” With these words he ran off, and when he reached Men, he said, “I am send by the Moon to tell you: As I die and dying perish, in the same manner ye shall also die and come wholly to an end.’” Then the Hare returned to the Moon, and told her what he had said to Men. The moon reproached him angrily, saying, “Darest thou tell the people a thing which I have not said?” With these words she took up a piece of wood, and struck him on the nose. Since that day the hare’s nose is slit.

In many African religions, the presence of natural phenemona, like water, fire, and death, are explained through such myths. Because of the folly of the hare, humans, instead of rising again like the moon, now die.


After our presentations, a group of us traveled to Molepolole to watch Gaborone United play. The Botswana Premier League is not a very strong football (soccer) league, but the game was very fun. We bought some Gabs United gear, and after pulling it on, we caused all the Gabs fans to cheer very loudly for us. Gabs United won 5-0 and we got on TV. (I will put up some pictures soon, but I don't have them in my possession right now)

Well, I have a final in a few hours, so I'm going to procrastinate and perhaps study a bit.

There will be one last post before I depart this continent and it will be most splendid, so come back at least one more time, or more if you want to relive my semester through bloggery.

Adu.

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