- You use the term “Swazi” for the locals or anything local (or even referring to the country itself as “Swazi” instead of Swaziland.
- You have a pet zebra named Hobbs
- Wild monkeys, zebras, impalas, giraffes, wildebeest, warthogs and dogs roam around your backyard
- Marriage proposals are considered to be “good luck” so if you get proposed to at least once a day, consider it a compliment. If you walk past a man and he doesn’t at least whistle, he is being rude….just like in Phillly…
- Marriage is a five-step process in which one of the steps is called “hurling insults” at the wife…and that’s not even the hardest step.
- It is really common to have more than one wife.
- Swaziland may not even exist anymore by the year 2050 if nothing is done about the people dying from AIDS (this is an estimate)
- Death is seen as a way out for some people.
- Women do not just “get pregnant” they “fall” pregnant…it just happens. It has nothing to do with sex.
- The bigger you are, the wealthier you are.
- Marula is a fruit that is used to make beer.
- The “bot fly” is your number one enemy…look it up.
- Swazi’s have no sense of “personal space.”
- If you happen to be teaching preschool, teach the children to scream in response to your question or they will never be heard.
- Swazi’s will trust you JUST because you are white…they also think you are VERY rich because you are white.
- You call your home, and other homes in your area your “homestead.”
- When you shake hands with someone, you understand that holding your wrist is a sign of respect. The farther you place your hand (higher on the wrist, forearm, arm, shoulder and finally chest) shows higher respect.
- Children may be scared of you at first because they aren’t used to white people being around but really, they just want to be held and loved.
- Traditional dress for men and women consist of a colorful wrap material that drapes over their body. I think both men and women carry spears too and have some kind of animal skin on their clothes.
There are so many more things I could add but maybe if Corine reads this, she can help me out!
