Our village arrival the night before was startling for the students – both because of the dramatically different lifestyle in the village, but also because the family was so warm and welcoming. After breakfast, Mama and Alice Banda escorted us to the home of the local Chieftaness. Since it was Friday, the day the Chieftaness holds her “court” to settle disputes between villagers, there was already a decent-sized collection of people seated outside her door, ready to be granted an audience. Whether it was because we were Westerners, or whether it was because Mama Banda is a cousin of the Chieftaness, I am not sure, but the servant of the Chieftaness came and brought us in first. Chieftaness Nyanje received us in her home, where we greeted her and got to ask a few questions. She also granted us a picture with her, for which she donned her traditional dress. (In the photo with us are the Chieftaness, Mama Banda and Alice Banda, left-to-right.)
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