Saturday, January 13, 2007

Two Men Holding Hands

The electricity was out all day again, so I went out walking. Under the hot summer sun. I smiled as I turned the corner and was met by the sweet sound of drums, trumpet and singing. A wedding procession: cars adorned with bright yellow bows and flowers, women in all satin crowded in the back of trucks waving, the bride in a puffy white dress, people dancing joyfully in the street.

My flat in Arusha is next to a round-about park where everyone goes to celebrate and take wedding pictures. Every weekend, I get to witness a very happy day for strangers.


This weekend during the procession, I noticed two men walking hand-in-hand, something I have seen occasionally here in Tanzania and something I remember being intrigued by in India last year. Two men holding hands here is merely an expression of friendship- an intimacy and companionship they are not afraid to show in public. Where I am from (the US), two heterosexual male friends would never dream of holding hands while walking down the street—too afraid that people would question their sexual orientation or perhaps think of them as weak and unmanly.


I found this simple and naïve expression of friendship quite refreshing.

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3 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:08 PM

    As a poet, I very much enjoyed my walk through your blog...as an avid reader, I think I enjoyed it even more...Thank you!

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  2. Anonymous2:25 AM

    Most African tribes too, consider men holding hands as unmanly; but with the strong Middle Eastern and Indian influence in East Africa - people now accept that.

    Note too: heterosexulality is the norm in Africa, unlike America, while homosexuality is extremely rare and never accepted. Where I grew up in Northern Uganda, I had no idea about homsexuality till later after moving to Kenya.

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  3. Anonymous9:52 PM

    I agree what a refreshing experience! Sometimes we forget its the simple things we should cherish in life like friendships, holding hands.....just showing our true emotions. I think people are too quick to judge these days. You are a very good writer by the way. I could really envision your moments of joy!

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