While we waited for lunch, adults and children jumped the rope. This is quite different than we were used to in the United States because they change the rope direction after three turns and other variations. They sang traditional songs and clapped while some danced. Sister Rands played games with children. The Kimballs cooked and served their fry bread.
The branch sisters wore traditional clothes. Notice the blanket used as a shawl. It is still worn at funerals and weddings when older women wear traditional dress. The sister wearing the blanket said, "This is what the older women wore when I got married years ago."
We wore red, white, and blue and took baked beans to represent our culture. The Kimballs from Arizona made fry bread for their cultural contribution. The branch members made many traditional Botswana dishes all cooked over an open fire in large pots. Most were boiled in water with a little salt added.
There were many traditional dishes. The sisters explained what each dish was and how it was prepared. We really enjoyed the explanations and eating the variety of foods. The traditional dishes were dumplings, pumpkin, boiled corn, two types of corn and beans, beans, sweet potatoes, sorghum made with sour milk, pap (made with fine cornmeal and pronounced pop), spinach with tomatoes and onions, boiled shredded beef, lentils, dried and boiled bean leaves sweetened with watermelon, and ginger punch. They also had traditional watermelons (not hybrid) which were yellow inside and explained how they would eat the flesh and use the outside as a bowl or for water storage.
Because there is no kitchen in the building used for church the sisters washed the dishes at a spigot in the corner of the lot.
We had a wonderful time. The members are so kind, caring, and happy to have us participate with them.
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