Bows and Arrows, Spears and Cow Dung

He is the best hunter boy with definitely the best outfit. A matching baboon top and shirt and yes, they do eat these animals for their survival. He always seemed to be smiling. 

Another great day in Tanzania. Hunted with the Hadzabe –a  teenage boy’s heaven, probably true for boys of most ages. It’s amazing watching the Hadzabe boys/men hunt with bow and arrow. After the kill, they immediately make a fire with two pieces of wood and some dung (no matches), cook their catch and eat it on the spot. We tasted some dove and dikdik liver. The dove wasn’t bad but the dikdik liver is liver. All livers seem to have that same taste no matter what species of animal. It was great to see Benji’s enthusiasm while hunting and later learning to throw a spear, Iraqw style. Maasai throw them differently and there are shorter but that is tomorrow’s visit. Met with a clan of Datoga that are
blacksmiths. Different clans do different trades. They used all recycle metals.  Then learned all about the Iraqw history, culture and customs and saw a process in which the cow dung and urine are used to light the home and the stove by way of methane. Sharon had the same question I had last time – why doesn’t everyone do this? Three cows would do it for one home. Perhaps space to keep them is a problem in the suburbs but if everyone had a cow or 2 or 3, it would also eliminate mowing the lawn. Milked my first cow today. We’re at this lovely lodge and I’m hoping for internet connection tonight. We have hot water and that’s all that matters really after coming back from the bush.

Benji got to carry our breakfast snack home. We tried a bit of dove and I had a dik dik liver. That may have been mistake because the following day was a bit rough on my digestive system.

The elder or boss of this particular family unit of Hadzabe

A lesson for all in fire making. Needed: Two sticks, one round and hard and the other flat and soft. Some cow ding and a few sticks and voila... Okay, so maybe it takes nore than a day's practice. I will once again be working on this for the next time I come back. There must be some sort of substitution for cow dung in the suburbs.?

Benji at Target practice

Benji at spear throwing practice. Iraqw style.