The special thing about this African trip that is not found in other placed in Africa is all the various tribes that continue to live their lives like their ancestors have been doing for hundreds of years.

Our first visit was to the Hadzabe tribe. They are the last hunter-gatherer community in the world. When I visited them three years ago our guide told us that they would probably be extinct in 100 years because encroaching development would take away their hunting land. Apparently the Tanzanian government realized what a unique community that they had in their midst so they deeded the tribe a large portion of land so they may continue their way of life.

We started our day stopping at a hollow baobab tree where the Hadzabe would live and sleep during the rainy season. Inside the top of the tree were huge hooks where they would hang their meat so other animals could not get to it.

When we finally met the tribe this is the first thing that we saw. At first no one was sure what it was other than it had a monkey head on the end and the whole thing was in the fire when we got there.

We then realized that it was a real monkey that they had skinned and were roasting over the fire. Note that the monkey’s hands are tied behind his back.

As always there are always beautiful children.

As a gift to the warriors we presented them with arrow heads that they could use for hunting. The warriors hunt twice a day. They go out first from 5:00 – 10:00 AM and then again latter in the day when it cools off. While they are off hunting the women do the gathering, picking berries, digging for roots or anything else that is edible.

Of course because the Hadzabe speak the click language we had to practice.

Next we had to say in their language “My name is” and then answer in English and they repeated our name. Below is Braydon’s video. The funniest one was when Cindy said her name. They all started screaming and jumping up and down. After a lot of interpreting it was discovered that the word “cindy” means squirrel. The Hadzabe thought this was the funniest thing ever. Any time someone new would come to the group they would tell them about “cindy” and it would start all over again.

Next was a very pathetic bow and arrow contest. Braydon looked like he knew what he was doing.

This is how our day ended with the Hadzabe.

Next on to visit the Datoga tribe. They are basically cattle drivers but also master blacksmiths. They are polygamists.

We were given a tour of one of their homes that is basically made out of wooden poles, branches and mud. They have flat roofs that are covered with a straw like material. Inside the house some of us took a turn at grinding maize with a stone.

Next we moved outside to watch the blacksmiths at work. We watched them make beautiful jewelry. Braydon tried his hand at making an arrow heads.

Of course, there was shopping to be done. The picture below was taken of everyone sporting their new bracelets.

Tomorrow we are on the long drive to the Serengeti, which will be the last place we are staying before our return home.