This past month I have made an avid point of learning how to cook and practicing a grass weaving craft that my host aunts do. Unfortunately by Senegalese standards, learning to cook at this point consists of only watching. However, I hope after I go back to village and make them an "American meal," (I am planning on making spaghetti) I will be able to attempt a Senegalese dish on my own, or at least actually help. So far I have seen lots of rice and corn bases be made (either a corn mush, corn meal sort of thing or corn couscous) and corresponding okra and peanut sauces, and a rice porridge. I only have a few more dishes (sauces in particular) to witness and that will be my whole diet! Eeek.
As far as the grass weaving goes, I have made a coaster and am starting to perfect the picture frame (which my family things is silly although I find to be quite quaint). Typically these are larger and used as bowl covers. We used grass collected on a road to one of the "neighborhoods" in Diara Pont, and pieces of rice sacks. I think they are great! It is a really good hobby to do in the hot afternoons to pass time.
Kitchen hut in village
Working on "weaving" with my host aunt and cousin
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