JOURNEY TO AFRICA
Tamara Jones, Demetrius Smith, Mariah Murphy
Period 2
African-American Literature
Destinations:
Cairo, Egypt
Chinguetti, Mauritania
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Madagascar
Etiquette
Zimbabwe
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A female never looks a male in the eye in rural areas. I fi it is a daughter and her father
she must also kneel. In the business world, eye contact shows honesty.
Shake with the right hand and sometimes hug and pat on the back with friends when
it’s two men. The same thing happens with women but sometimes with a slight
genuflection. When greeting between people of opposite genders, they both shake
hands then take one steo back and make a slight genuflection.
Women are expected to be domestic housewives and good role models for their
children in city and rural settings. Men are the heads of their families and are allowed
to have affairs. If a foreign woman marries into the society she has to accept the
society’s norms.
Indirect speaking is used in rural areas and direct in the urban. Personal matters are
normally discussed.
Men and women should never stand any less than an arm’s length apart when
interacting.
Never speak to a person with your hands in your pockets.
Men wear suits and ties in dark colors while women wear conservative clothing, but
little to no expensive jewelry.
Etiquette
Egypt
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Direct eye contact is acceptable except if it is between people of the opposite sex then the
guy may think the girl is trying to flirt with him.
Speaking indirectly in business is common because the businessmen don’t like to say “no”. Do
not speak of politics or religion unless you have a good relationship to the person.
Communication can be direct.
People of the same sex can speak closely around each other but people of the opposite sex
must speak from at least an arm’s length away. There are not a lot of public displays of
affection.
Only use your right hand when greeting, eating, and passing objects.
Showing the sole of your shoe is impolite.
At a resort, act normally. If you decide to travel among local Egyptians, then you must dress
conservatively and not drink or show a lot of emotion.
When men greet men they lightly shake with their right hands and kiss on both cheeks. The
women shake hands lightly amongst each other or nod in acknowledgment. They only kiss
the person if they know him/her well. When people of the opposite sex are greeting each
other, handshakes are circumstantial and kisses are only accepted if they are closely related.
Usually there is a slight bow of the head and a greeting of “salaam aleikum” which should be
replied to with “waaleikum us salam”.
Women are respected but usually any behavior that does not follow social and religious
traditions is unacceptable, depending on the social class she is a part of.
Most women wear a hijab (head scarf) but don’t have to. They are supposed to follow their
traditional roles but have more freedom in the upper and middle class.
Etiquette
Mauritania
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
When men greet each other they clasp hands and hold it for a few seconds.
Women do the same except they also kiss on both cheeks and (with good friends)
embrace twice, once on each side. When people of the opposite gender greet they
nod or have a verbal greeting. If a foreign man greets a woman he should wait for
her to extend her hand. The men don’t greet foreign men. If there is a group of
people of both genders, sometimes the right hand is placed in the middle of the
chest.
The people speak directly and complete hospitality is given when a person visits.
The visitor is not allowed to do anything for him/herself until they know the family
well enough.
There is little to no personal space when speaking. There is always space between
members of the opposite sex or if the person is a guest in someone’s home.
People of opposite genders do not usually touch unless it is a business matter.
Do not look someone of a higher status in the eye. People of the western
hemisphere are a little more susceptible to acceptance from the Mauritanians if
the use direct eye contact. Direct eye contact is accepted even though sometimes
a woman may not look a man in the eye or children may not look elders in the eye.
Women can run their own businesses. They can only travel places if escorted by a
male figure, usually a family member.
Women cover their heads with a mulafa, which is a scarf that covers the head and
not the face, out in public.
Any women should try to dress conservatively.
Etiquette
Madagascar
• Eye contact is limited between all people out of respect. Eye contact is
permitted but cannot be prolonged.
• There is usually no personal space. If there is, the person is sick or it
can be assumed that the person does not like the people they are
around.
• They are very direct when speaking.
• Do not point at something with the index finger without being it
towards oneself or it is considered rude.
• When men greet men they shake hands with the right hand while
holding the right arm with the left hand. Women do the same, as well
as opposite genders.
• In the central part of Madagascar women are domestic, take care of
finances, and work in the fields.
• If a person is not interested in someone who is pursuing them, tell
them upfront or they will think the person is playing games.
• Men wear pants and collared shirts. Conservative clothes are meant
for women but casual clothes can be worn when out of the business
setting.
Weather and Currency
• It’s hot and dry except for winter months, in which it can be 46.4
degrees, in Cairo. The coastal areas are a mix of urban and rural.
They’re filled with beaches and almost look tropical. Cairo is not too
far from the famous Sphinx and pyramids of Giza. 1USD=6.15 EGP
(Egyptian Money)
• Mauritania is usually 75 to 81 degrees year-round. It is very sandy
and barren land. 1USD=299.50 MRO (Mauritania Ouguiya-Money)
• Zimbabwe lies on the southern bank of the Zambezi River. From
November to March it has a rainy season and the average high is
93-90 degrees Fahrenheit. The average low is 59 to 66 degrees
Fahrenheit. 1USD=361.900 ZWD
• Madagascar is warmest in December and rainiest in January. It’s 72
degrees at night and 91 in the morning at January and December.
1USD=2272.23MRA (Malagasy Ariary-money)
Language
• Arabic is spoken in both Mauritania and Cairo.
It is specifically the Arabic dialect of Hassaniya
since there are six.
• Malagasy is spoken in Madagascar.
• Shona and Ndebele is spoken in Zimbabwe. It
is Northern Ndebele in Zimbabwe after the
“Language of the Zulu”.
Statements
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hassaniya Arabic
Peace be upon you
How are you?
Welcome
Thank you
Good evening
Is-selaamu
Ish haalak?
Merhbe
Shukran
Ish haal li-mglil
Statements
• Northern Ndele
Language
• Solibonani
Hello
• Yebo
No
• Unjani How are you?
• Hayikhona No
• Ngiyabonga Thank you
• Shona Language
• Mhoro Hello
• Handisi kunyaso
nzwisisa
I don’t understand
• Unotaura..?
Do you speak..?
• Chinoita marii?
How much is this?
• Waita zvako
Thank you
Statements
•
•
•
•
•
•
Malagasy Language
Hi
Thankyou very much
I’m from the US
I’m American
Do you speak English?
Manao ahoana e!
Misaotra Betsaka!
Avy any Estazonia
Amerikanina
Mahay miteny
anglisy?
Commonalities and Differences
(from the United States)
• They shake hands like we do in America but
more as a casual greeting than for only
business affairs
• They have no sense of personal space and are
very direct about everything.
• They believe in conservatism for men and
women, especially in Cairo where it is overly
stressed for people to be covered from head
to toe.
Artifacts
Madagascar
The image of a man fighting a
crocodile on a tomb near Betioky,
Madagascar.
Zimbabwe
Hand-made antique Zimbabwean
mask made by the Ndebele tribe.
Artifacts
Egypt
Canopic jars from ancient Egypt were
used to store the stomach, liver,
intestines, and lungs which were stored
after mummification in hopes that when
the pharaoh was in the afterlife, they
would have everything they needed to
survive.
Mauritania
This is a Paleo Neolithic Flint Arrowhead.
It can be used as a weapon or a tool.
Bibliography
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
"Malagasy Phrases." Learn Languages - Grammar and Vocabulary. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2013.
<http://mylanguages.org/malagasy_phrases.php>.
"P.DOT – Hassaniya Lessons."Introduction to Hassaniya-Peace Corps/Mauritania. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2012.
<files.peacecorps.gov/multimedia/audio/languagelessons/mauritania/MR_Hassaniya_Language_Lessons.pdf>.
"Useful Shona phrases." Omniglot - the guide to languages, alphabets and other writing systems. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2013.
<http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/shona.php>.
"isiNdebele for beginners. Northern Ndebele language in Africa." isiNdebele for beginners. Northern Ndebele language in Africa. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2013. <http://northernndebele.blogspot.com/>.
  Cairo Weather, Egypt." Weather in Cairo, Egypt. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2013.
WebsiteLi
"Â Â Chinguetti Weather, Mauritania." Weather in Chinguetti, Mauritania. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2013.
"Currency Conversion Table." CoinMill.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.
"CURRENCY CONVERTER WIDGET." XE: (---/---) --- to --- Rate. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2013.
Http://www.weather-and-climate.com. World Weather and Climate Information, 2010-2011. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.
<http://www.weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,Antalaha,Madagascar>.
"Victoria Falls Weather." In Detail. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2013.
"Weather for Montana." Weather Forecast. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2013.
"Weather." Lonely Planet. BBC Worldwide, 2012. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. <http://www.lonelyplanet.com/egypt/weather>.
"041057 | Frans Lanting Stock." Frans Lanting Stock Home | Frans Lanting Stock. Frans Lanting, n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2013.
<http://franslanting.photoshelter.com/imag
"ARTIFACT Paleo Neolithic Flint arrowhead Africa African | Stone Tools & Artifacts." Stone Tools & Artifacts. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan.
2013. <http://www.stone-toolco.com/ads/artifact-paleo-neolithic-flint-arrowhead-africa-african>.
"Display of Ancient Egyptian Artifacts at the Bible Lands Museum - 24 March, 2010 - 02 April, 2010 - Exhibits - Jerusalem Events GoJerusalem.com." Jerusalem hotels, tours, attractions, restaurants, events - GoJerusalem. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2013.
<http://www.gojerusalem.com/discover/item_9517/Display-of-Ancient-Egyptian-Artifacts-at-the-Bible-Lands-Museum>.
"Handmade antique african mask, Ndebele tribe, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Stock Photos." Masterfile Stock Photos: . N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan.
2013. <http://www.masterfile.com/stock-photography/image/400-04942783/Handmade-antique-african-mask-Ndebele-tribeBulawayo-Zimbabwe>.
"Zimbabwe - Culture, Customs & Etiquette." Country Guides to Culture, Etiquette, Customs & more!. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2013.
<http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=232>.
"Mauritania - Culture, Customs & Etiquette." Country Guides to Culture, Etiquette, Customs & more!. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2013.
<http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=131>.
"Madagascar - Culture, Customs & Etiquette." Country Guides to Culture, Etiquette, Customs & more!. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2013.
<http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=123>.
"Egypt - Culture, Customs & Etiquette."Country Guides to Culture, Etiquette, Customs & more!. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2013.
<http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=61>.