Why Tanzanians Carry Everything On Their Heads

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LAURA LING: I’m in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. And everywhere we go, we see people carrying some crazy things on their heads. And they do it so effortlessly it is very impressive.

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I’ve seen so many women carrying things on their heads– big boxes, buckets. Why do people carry so many things on their heads?

WOMEN: [SPEAKING SWAHILI]
INTERPRETER: They’re saying it’s the culture from the girls. They have grown up carrying things on their head.

LAURA LING: It’s part of the culture. Is it difficult?

INTERPRETER: [SPEAKING SWAHILI]
WOMEN: [SPEAKING SWAHILI]

LAURA LING: Easy? Can you teach me? Can you show me? Can I try? OK.

INTERPRETER: [SPEAKING SWAHILI]
LAURA LING: So what do I need to know? Any advice?

INTERPRETER: [SPEAKING SWAHILI]
WOMEN: [SPEAKING SWAHILI]
INTERPRETER: They are saying, just leave it.

LAURA LING: Just leave it? Let go with my hands? OK, and relax. Ready? I’m going to do it.

INTERPRETER: Wow.

WOMEN: Wow.

LAURA LING: Good?

WOMEN: Wow.

LAURA LING: I got it! I got it. [LAUGHTER] Good? [SAYS THANK YOU IN SWAHILI] Thank you for teaching me.

Please check out this next video. It’s Saturday night here in Mkuranga, Tanzania. And we’re going to do what the locals do. We’re going to go to the movies at the local movie theater. Most people in this town don’t have electricity, so they come here for entertainment. Luckily, this place has a generator. Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe to Seeker Stories.

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