Karibu

Tanzanians use the word Karibu to tell their guests that they are welcome in their homes. It is by far one of the most common words I have heard here in Tanzania. Having guests over is an honor for Tanzanians, as they pull out all the stops to ensure they are comfortable. Certain things are common, such as hosts offering us chairs while they themselves stand. However, when we visited the Maryknoll affiliate woman's group, we experienced a whole new sense of being welcomed. The group works together to help overcome the difficulties of living in poverty. We were greeted with singing, dancing, and they even gave us fruits and vegetables from their communal garden. We truly felt the meaning of the word Karibu.