igama elisha, umndeni omusha, ukudla okusha

New name, new family, new diet. And, soon, a new job...

First, the new name. We had a guest lecturer last week who explained the meanings and cultural significance of names and naming in Zulu culture. She of course asked what all of our Zulu names were, and when I told her that I am Ntshebe (see previous post) she offered me a related name: Mahlekehlathini, or "He who laughs in the forest." So now I've got two names, the second even more ridiculous than the first.

I also have a new family: the Mchunus. I am staying with them in Mbali township this week. There are seven of us: Baba, Mama, Nomcebo, Mnqobile, Sinethemba (i.e. my two sisters and one brother) and little Aphiwe, my (10 month-old) nephew (ngesiZulu, he is "mshana wami" and I am his malume [uncle]). They've been wonderful to me so far, even if Aphiwe wakes us all up at 4am. I've been putting in my hours at their spaza shop (convenience store) around the corner, and they in turn have been taking good care of me and feeding me very well...

But feeding me well involves me feeding me lots and lots of meat: chicken, pork, steak, etc etc. I went into the trip fully prepared for the possibility that I would have to fall off the vegetarian wagon temporarily, and so far I am surviving. What I wasn't prepared for, however, was the possibility that I, myself, would be charged with the task of...slaughtering a goat. And a cow. Scheduled for later this week; stay tuned for details...