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| Food basket used as unit of trade and carrying products in community |
On safari into Africa you discover communities had a vibrant cottage "industry" before the industrial revolution though simple and highly developed in its own way. Indigenous people had a moneyless economy and means of acquiring what one lacked and basic necessities was by giving what you produce to another person who wanted what he could not produce; Barter trade! It was a simple lifestyle in which units of exchange were agreed upon by the members themselves. The societies had highly developed "industry" among st themselves based on homesteads where skills were passed on from one person to another and generation to another through imitation and active participation of individuals at no fee.
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| Hand woven seat for family heads and guests into a family. |
There were unwritten standards of performance and need for specialization and perfectionism at a task giving no room for poor performers. The "industries" to trade were many; pottery, music, dance, drama, story telling, weaving, hunting, family counselors, animal husbandry, black smith, herbal medicine, brewing, hunting, crop production, animal husbandry, fishing, basketry, animal raids, and many others individuals chose only that in which they performed best. From early childhood they were taught several skills depending on their age, sex and ability. Everyone in society had a role to perform. The extra ordinary performers were the envy of everyone, brought fame to family lineage and were highly rewarded with gifts. They were the heroes of society and everybody was so proud to be associated with them.
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| Beautiful hand woven baskets from aquatic weeds for holding household items |
With industrial revolution, money economies, improved lifestyles and items of use in society, improved mass education, migrations and emigrations, most of African lifestyle is getting diluted, facing stiff competition, many living examples are passing on due to old age yet it is not documented in long lasting forms yet very exciting to experience. Climaxing your Safari into Rwanda with a visit to a selected community allows travelers experience African cultural lifestyles; items in homesteads, music and dance, rituals and ceremonies and many others first hand. Trust me it is an appropriate icing on the cake and many travelers appreciate every particular detail in all aspects.
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