One of the pastimes that Dinka children, particularly boys, enjoy is making small figurines and objects with clay. No plasticine or play dough available, but clay abounds. I've often seen boys making clay cows (cows are the main source of wealth and prestige in Dinka culture). There's a large tree near our radio station under which a group of boys often plays. One day they had a whole battlefield set up, with clay soldiers, tanks, airplanes, guns, etc. Unfortunately I didn't have time that day to take pictures. The other day I did--they were making a model of a teacher training school located nearby.
Overview of the school (which was still a work in progress). The room on the bottom right contains mattresses. Teachers from the area come and stay at this school for one or two week training courses.
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| Classroom. Those are books on the tables. |
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| Teachers relaxing |
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| Bowls, cups & other dishes in kitchen |
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| Latrines (can't forget that!) |
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| Teacher arriving on a motorcycle |
Overview of the school (which was still a work in progress). The room on the bottom right contains mattresses. Teachers from the area come and stay at this school for one or two week training courses.
I love those clay models! What fun those children are having. And they are using their imagination. So much better for them than playing with the electronics the children in the west play with.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome!
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