One major cultural difference that may come as a shock upon arrival is the difference in what is perceived as beautiful. Here is Zambia, at least the more rural areas, being fat is a sign of health and wealth. If someone says "you are looking fat today" the appropriate response is thank you!
Now for a slightly larger women coming from the media blitz of American commercialism this was a bit hard to wrap my brain around. For the last 27 years everything around me told me that being "fat" was ugly and unhealthy. So needless to say the first time I was referred to as fat my mind did a bit of a double take.
And then again just a week ago. I asked if there was a better way to tie/wrap my chitenge and my host mother's reply was "you are too fat!"
Yikes! I'm what? Oh right that's a good thing here. What a contrast.So this weight and beauty image I struggle with in the states is all of the sudden the picture of beauty. This body I've abused trying to maintain is suddenly the key to my survival. With no mirror and only stretchy waistbands on skirts and leggings I have no way to gauge my weight situation. No scale to track my impending doom as I did in America. And best yet; no media advertisements to compare myself with. All of a sudden my gauge of health becomes simply "can I complete the tasks I need to?"
At first the answer to this new metric was no; but as the days pass and I ride my bike, carry heavy buckets of water, and use this gift I was given, the answer shifts a little more each day. To my mother's dismay I'm still only eating one lump of n'shima and while I'm not changing physically I think the change is coming mentally.
It's amazing how much easier it is to love yourself when comparison and judgment are removed. I think the next time someone says "you are looking fat today" I'll sincerely be able to reply "Thank You!"
Now for a slightly larger women coming from the media blitz of American commercialism this was a bit hard to wrap my brain around. For the last 27 years everything around me told me that being "fat" was ugly and unhealthy. So needless to say the first time I was referred to as fat my mind did a bit of a double take.
And then again just a week ago. I asked if there was a better way to tie/wrap my chitenge and my host mother's reply was "you are too fat!"
Yikes! I'm what? Oh right that's a good thing here. What a contrast.So this weight and beauty image I struggle with in the states is all of the sudden the picture of beauty. This body I've abused trying to maintain is suddenly the key to my survival. With no mirror and only stretchy waistbands on skirts and leggings I have no way to gauge my weight situation. No scale to track my impending doom as I did in America. And best yet; no media advertisements to compare myself with. All of a sudden my gauge of health becomes simply "can I complete the tasks I need to?"
At first the answer to this new metric was no; but as the days pass and I ride my bike, carry heavy buckets of water, and use this gift I was given, the answer shifts a little more each day. To my mother's dismay I'm still only eating one lump of n'shima and while I'm not changing physically I think the change is coming mentally.
It's amazing how much easier it is to love yourself when comparison and judgment are removed. I think the next time someone says "you are looking fat today" I'll sincerely be able to reply "Thank You!"
Love this, Teen! You have a beautiful body even in American! :-) <3
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