Stories from Tanzania

Visited a village in Tanzania, of the Sonjo tribe, an ethnic group rival of the Maasais. Less touristic and more authentic, we were told and so it was.

4.000 inhabitants, of whom more than 2.000 children. No water, no electricity, only a lot of dust. Their huts were not so different from the ones above, although, strictly speaking those are Maasai. Guided by the deputy-head of the village, English speaking, we walked around and visited a "house", while a few hundreds of those 2.000 children were asking for pens, pencils, scarfs, t-shirts or anything you'd be willing to give away.

Not an experience you expect to do while on holidays, awaking a sense of solidarity and powerlessness. Or of guilt.

But the highlight of the visit was the chat with the deputy-head showing us around: how is the head of the village being chosen?
"Well, I think it's like in Italy: the richest man becomes the Head"

Priceless answer. And speechless Italian tourists.

P.S. The richest man of the village had 200 cows