Mzungu!

In Uganda, white foreigners are called, “Mzungu”.  This is in no way a racist or derogatory term.  It is simply just a reference and a name.  It is not a means of disrespect.  I have begun to become very adjusted and comfortable, and have found creative ways to use the term.  One day we were driving through town and we passed a group of foreigners.  I leaned forward to Davids, pointed, and whispered, “Mzungu!”  He broke out in hysteria.

We thought it would be interesting to test out this newly gained sense of humor:  a mzungu calling out another mzungu.  The locals can’t get enough of it.  They laugh and point, and think that it is hilarious, but I don’t think that the mzungu’s find it very funny.  We have tried calling out loud to them and all we get is evil stares and disgusted looks.  Eh, what they heck. I thought it was funny. 

I even tried to pull in a little light humor when bargaining for the bracelets I mentioned earlier.  The woman would not give me a fair price at all, and so I jokingly looked to Davids and pointed at myself saying, “Ahhhh, mzungu!”.  The woman began laughing, but quickly responded, “No, no.  You are a man, and he (Davids) is a man as well.  I am a woman, and that is the only difference that God has created in us”.

I replied, “Webale ino nnyabe”.  (Thank you very much madam).  I was flattered by her kind words, and paid her price for the bracelets.

It has been interesting being a minority.  But as Davids says, you will soon no longer be a mzungu, but mutaca (of the soil).

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So this post was for you, fellow Mzungu’s!!!