All the field workers are women. In the Zulu tradition, women work in the fields. All the ladies got dressed up to attend the annual Christmas Party. Many wear their traditional outfits.
Here you can see a scarf, sewn with sweets, being attached to Lilli.
The other, strange form of adornment, are blankets. They arrive carrying their best blankets in special blanket containers to ensure they don’t get dirty. At points during the day, they put the blankets around them and dance in them! But as soon as they have finished with them, they go straight back into the special carry bag!
Being given a blanket is a fabulous and expensive gift for the workers. And if you want to make the gift even more special, you pin gifts and clothes to the blanket! This lady had been given a blanket with a number of items of clothing pinned to it by a friend of hers. She was so moved by it, she cried!
The party takes the form of a braai (BBQ). A braai pack, which contains sausage and brisket, is provided to each worker, who cooks it themselves. Surprisingly, brisket is one of the most popular cuts of meat because the Zulus like the fat! (urrgggh!) This is served with rolls and coke, followed by ice cream topped with Milo (that is delicious)
Everyone took part in the party – my mum and dad (luckily) love brisket too!
My mum and Eunice (who works in the house for Rochelle). I love Eunice to bits – in spite of the fact that she makes such fun of my pigeon Zulu! Eunice was one of the organisers of the day.
The day ends with traditional singing and dancing. Here you can see Lilli teaching Kyla how it is done. They have more rhythm than we will ever dream of having – it is truly in their bones!
I love the Christmas party and wouldn’t miss it for anything!