First we were greeted by the drunks who introduced us to the matriarchs who then insisted that we stay for prayer and dinner. The prayer consisted of 35-40 people all holding hands in a circle. The eldest of the group, a woman and clearly the leader of the clan, made sure no-one broke the circle of hands. The Speech and the prayer were orated by a teenage male, a brother or cousin of sort to the Man of Honer. The young man gave a vivacious thank you to his home and the family that made a place a home. It was real family ties type shit. Everyone was crying, (me included). He was clear in voice and held a strong, even tone. After the prayer I was going to slink back off into the background but the matriarchs stopped me and ushered me into a food line.
B.T.W., it was the best food line I have ever been in. The line part was awkward, I was the ONLY white person there but! The food was amazing. Lobster cevichie, chard su pork, dirty rice, whole deep fried mini fish, more pork, raw some fish or another, steamed tea leaves all gone in seconds. I thought I had had good food before. I have. But, this was what my mouth has been waiting for all it's mouth life. All fallowed by karaoke. I attempted to sing 'The girl from Impanima went walking'. Also, I sang along to 'Boot Skootin Boogie'. They might have semi regretted inviting me to their party but I don't regret it at all.
My most important discovery of the night was that there is more to anthropology than schooling and writing books. A lot of Anthropology is party crashing.
On a side note, I did gain more insight on the subject of extended relationships and other interpersonal, non-scientific issues.
Now I miss you more and less. Keep up the good work!
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