The Football Champions League Is Alive And Well Here In Africa!

 

Gonzalo Pastor is a sectional rider on the 2024 Tour d’Afrique Cycling Expedition. In this post, he reports on his experiences, religious and otherwise, in Tanzania.

We are in beautiful Tanzania. A few days ago, we camped under the impressive Mt Kilimanjaro and last night we saw Mount Meru from our campsite. Two jewels of Tanzania! I will be taking with me many wonderful memories from this beautiful land, spiced by the magic of the Tanzanian people. People from different tribes (Maasai, Chagga and other 118 tribes, living in peace with one another) and 3 of the world’s main religions, mainly Christian, Muslims and some Hindu.

I would like to note a material thing that makes many young men and women happy in these lands: the colourful T-shirts from leading international football teams (Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and others) that are seen all around on the youngsters (and not-so-young!). Dress codes that can be distinguished a mile away while biking, because of their bright colours. The amusing thing is that if you, for example, ask some young Maasai ladies about the team T/shirt that they are wearing, they may look at their shirts and reply that they don’t really know what are those t-shirts all about! But that is, however, immaterial to the smile that you receive from these ladies as a curious tourist! We just like football, and that is why we use those shirts, Jazz told me at the hotel counter! A little gift from the Champions League’s organizers that makes so many people happy down here. Muchas gracias Champions League!

The story of the Maasai people does not finish there. The Maasai, in Arusha and maybe in other places, may be facing some tough times once you look deeper. Modernization has arrived and many large fertile areas are now fenced, thus somewhat limiting the space available for grazing their cows, goats and sheep. Lands that were open fields not so long ago, are now private property and beyond reach for them. My observation is that the Maasai are adjusting to the times. Some are more engaged in agriculture than in the past. Others work in the services sector, in tourism or retail. Those working in the tourist sector may not even carry their traditional bright-coloured shoulder blankets and walking sticks used by their parents and grandparents.

Tanzanian society, overall, is very religious and that may be a source of cohesion in these changing times. The names of our local assistants along the road have been, among others, Emmanuel, Ezequiel, Ruth, Naomi, and Sarah. Even the wifi passwords give you a hint – for example, “Blessing 2023.” The Maasai are also a very traditional social group. Tradition! Tradition! It impacts the way they live and eat. For example, according to their religious practices, not all portions of the cow are eaten and some portions are reserved for men and others for women. I have received many blessings along the road these last two months, including some requests to keep some people in my prayers. My last name is Pastor, which is Swahili reads Mfundisi, or leader of a congregation. Thus, some people think that I am, in fact, a religious leader. That makes me very proud and I now carry that name with great pride and responsibility!

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