baby shower

out first proper day in nsanje and katie, gemma and i were invited to a 'baby shower'.

in fact, it was nothing like a baby shower. the ladies of the village gather around and then some of the elder ladies do a ceremonial first cutting of the babies hair. then they dance around a bit and pass the babies around. then they expected us to dance and laughed when we tried. then we ate some nshima served with the most disgusting drink i have ever tasted.

they wrapped the babies hair up and took it home with them. if they leave it lying around they are worried that somebody may take the hair to a witch doctor and use it to put a spell on the family.

tia.