Tanzanian culture has strong collective thinking, rooted in interdependence and understanding the position of each person in a system of deep social hierarchy, according to Alexander Mwijage, an anthropologist. at Muhimbili University of Health and Science Research in Dar es Salaam.
Instead of the younger people shaking hands, hugging and bowing and the elderly rubbing the heads of the younger people, many Tanzanians now ‘catch their feet’ together.
Cultural greetings when meeting, such as those who respectfully bow their heads and bow their heads and older people rub their heads, are related to hierarchical stratification in society. Among colleagues, a long-standing handshake, hugs and kisses are also common, according to Mwijage.
Recently, the “ foot-catching ” of the way Wuhan or hand-in-hand bowing is applied to all ages and is becoming a new standard, Mwijage said.
Because both of these gestures intentionally create space between people, Mwijage worries that eventually culture may have to yield to community relations.
“Covid-19 has created a distant relationship and undermines the etiquette that people need to show respect and care for each other,” Mwijage said.
“The foot is for walking on the ground but who would ever use it to greet me. Can a ‘foot-catch’ show love? Or care? Respect?”
According to Mwijage, the use of masks in Tanzania also distorts verbal cues and nonverbal local gestures, such as lip augmentation, which is often used to express agreement and other emotions. .
He predicts that the footsteps and hands-to-bow will soon be manifested in more creative ways of greeting as the social gap continues to need to be sustained.
Seen more at: Social distancing greetings poster
