AB is an organization run by Caritas international to help prevent the spread of AIDS. It stands for Abstinence, Be Faithful, and works with local parishes to help them teach young people about abstinence and being faithful in marriage. It was John actually who told me about this fete, and then I received invitations from a few others as well. I unfortunately had to miss Mass and the beginning of the day's events, which included final competitions between teams at each subparish. They had spent the past week competing against each other in soccer games, dance performances, and skit performances. So today they awarded the "cups." Which are actually just a paper picture of the cup. Its more about the glory and satisfaction in knowing you won. So I came after I had finished my lesson with Sr. Rose, at about 12:30pm. It was pretty funny…as I crossed the road, a group of kids saw me and all started doing the moves to Chin Chin. I complimented them on their awesomeness and asked them if they were going to dance at the fete. They said yes, probably not really understanding what I said, but then they all followed me, like 40 kids. But then they disbursed quickly.
I came during the middle of a quiz-show type thing, where I think each subparish had a team and they had to answer questions about AIDS prevention and/or spread. It was all in Kinyarwanda, but man were they getting into it! They were cheering each other on like crazy, shooting their hands in the air with all their might when they knew an answer, and heatedly debating it when the emcee told them they weren't fully correct. Even though I couldn't understand anything, it was really cool to see the enthusiasm with which these young people were discussing this topic. I was given one of the "seats of honor," which are some desks at the front of the room, facing the crowd. This is very typical at all the types of gatherings I've been to. They always pull out a row of chairs that are for the "special people," aka the priests, Sisters, people who work at the parish, and me. Then performers face us while the other spectators form a circle around them to watch.
At first I thought this was weird and unfair to the majority of the people who must watch from the back. But now I see that it is such an important part of their culture to honor your guests and treat respected individuals with honor. So I was happy to be considered worthy of a "special seat."
So after the AIDS debate, we all went outside for a brief dance performance from some guests from the Nyundo Cultural Center
Unfortunately I missed the part where the guys put on long wigs of whitish straw-like stuff, grab spears and shields and dance. I think there will be more opportunities throughout the next 3 months…I'm not worried. I really enjoyed watching these guys and girls dance. Their moves are really complex and precise, and they have so much joy and energy! After their dance, we concluded the AIDS debate with some kind of final round that I didn't really follow. Then we awarded the cups. I was asked to present the "cups" to the girls soccer teams. It was nice to be given this honor even though I never watched any of these soccer games, nor did I know the girls to whom I presented the cups!
We also gave little prizes to the final winners of the AIDS debate. Certain individuals from each subparish team were selected to come forward for their excellent answers. They received three notebooks and a plastic wash basin.
These are essential items for students, as all of them were (I think). Most people here bathe by using a plastic wash basin as mentioned. I think us at the convent are quite privileged to use showers. But I really don't know, this is just what I am assuming.
Now by this time, it was like 2:30pm and I was hungry. Finally the prize-giving ended, and I wanted to take my leave and go eat. But of course, we need to welcome the guests with a Fanta. Fr. Antoine and John both insisted that I come for this, saying it will be only 10 minutes. In my mind I know that it will be at least a half an hour, probably more. Well, good golly am I glad I stayed! The "after-party welcome" was a smaller gathering of only the "special people" in the seats of honor and the Nyundo dancers. It is custom that you don't send your guests on their walk home hungry, especially if they have spent the day with you. So we fed them, and since I was hungry I was happy too. There were some speeches of thanks and introductions, and then more dancing began. Only this time it wasn't a show, but a freaking awesome everybody-participate dance party!
The guys and the girls in their traditional garb started doing one of their numbers, and everybody else joined in, of course not knowing the steps but it totally didn't matter.
We all just danced however we felt compelled. During certain parts the Nyundo people would come dance with one of us non-dancer people, and I had a super fun time trying to dance like the girl who was dancing with me. We had this party for at least a half an hour, and there was a nice crowd of kids watching in through the windows. Father Antoine, while dancing too, went over to them and told them that they should dance too, outside. Love it.
I had an insanely fun time, and I felt very free to dance my heart out!
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