On Sunday, we were fortunate to visit a homestead near Hwange National Park.

In rural Zimbabwe, a homestead is the central living area shared by an extended family. Several homesteads together form a village, creating a close-knit community structure.

The homesteads share a 10-acre plot of land, where families cultivate fruit trees, vegetables, and grain crops to sustain their daily needs.

As we neared the homestead, several family members greeted us warmly as they made their way to church.

Once inside the homestead, we were introduced to the “head man,” Mr. Impala. Apparently, all the villagers have animal surnames—Kudu, Zebra, Lion, and so on. I kept my eyes peeled for Mrs. Elephant, but sadly, she never made an appearance.

We were given free rein to explore the homestead and chat with the welcoming family members, who greeted us with open arms and wide smiles. I made a beeline for the millet smasher—because who could resist a chance to pulverize grain the old-fashioned way? Within minutes, I was elbow-deep in millet dust, channeling my inner grain warrior.

There was a rhythm to the grain smashing—me, her, me, her—like a percussion duet with a purpose. A tribal chant rose in the background, giving our pounding a soundtrack. I was sweating in no time… but I must’ve been doing something right, because I was definitely a hit with the ladies.

Once our millet-smashing masterpiece was complete, it was whisked away to the outdoor kitchen—proof, at last, that my hard labor might actually be edible.

Our freshly smashed millet was destined to become polenta—a porridge-like dish that would be served with kale and fried worms. Yep, you read that right… worms! Crispy, seasoned, and apparently a local delicacy.

Our safari group was invited into a simple structure, where we sat shoulder to shoulder with about 15 adult family members. We took turns introducing ourselves, then listened as they shared stories about their customs, traditions, and daily life. The conversation was open, honest, and deeply moving—especially as they spoke about the challenges they face. With unemployment hovering around 95% in Zimbabwe, resilience isn’t just admirable—it’s a way of life.

Then it was time for lunch. When the fried worms came around, I put on my big boy pants and bravely took one from the plate, popped it into my mouth, bit into it and…

You may be able to tell from my expression that it didn’t suit my palate. In fact, I had to surreptitiously go outside and spit it out. It was gross!

After lunch we presented the homestead a load of supplies. We had purchased flour, sugar, bread, rice, peanut butter, and other necessities. It was the perfect ending to a rewarding day.

On a side note, I’d like you to meet 2 of my friends, Amy and Vicki. They’ve given me a few photography pointers and, interestingly, Vicki has a South Dakota connection. Her mother was a Peterson and grew up in Frederick, 60 miles from my hometown of Bristol. It truly is a small world.

Next update will be from Kafue National Park in Zambia. And I will guarantee pictures of kitties!

Hakuna matata.

Just Pete