Last Monday, a week ago, seven days gone, I made Nsoso ya Muamba, chicken with peanut sauce, from Zaire, and it was pretty good. I burned the sauce a little, but managed to salvage the dish. Even though it came from my Extending the Table book, I didn't really have anything else to say about the dish beyond that. I didn't feel very extended or excited.That's not to say that I am burned out by this blog project. I'm committed. But not all of my cultural connections can be made with a tomato-peanut sauce over chicken and couscous.
Something that has been inspiring me recently though are my new favorite cds from Playing for Change, a nonprofit organization that promotes music education and peace around the globe. All of the songs are collaborations by musicians across continents. Check out some of their videos on youtube. They are so great. As the video shifts from one musician to the next, the boys love to know what country the musician is from. The music unites the players and singers, but also the listener in a new form of global community. Plus, it pretty sweet to hear my boys singing along to One Love.
Another series that our family embraces are the cds from Putumayo. They are a world collection of songs grouped by genre or region pulled from popular local artists. One cd may contain a playlist from India, France, South Africa, Brazil and more. They have adult collections as well as some for children. One of our favorites in African Playground, especially the song Hoye Hoye from Ethiopia. Ian dances his little heart out whenever it comes on, dances to the beat of his people with enthusiasm and joy.
Music plays in the background of our meals, games, art projects and recipes. It fuels our dance parties. It soothes and comforts at the end of a long day. It connects us to the heart of the places in the world that we hold so dear.
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