One of my favorite things about living in Zambia is ichitenge (ee-chee-tang-gay). Basically, chitenge is fabric. It usually comes in 2-meter lengths, but you can find it in 4- or 6-meter lengths as well. The combinations of colors, patterns, and pictures are endlessly fabulous. I've even seen one with Obama's face on it.
Chitenges (the plural in Bemba is ifitenge) are probably the most useful things that I have here in Zambia. And I don't even use them in all the possible ways. I wear mine as a skirt, that doubles as an apron. They make great potholders. I've used them as towels, for bathing and for the beach. I put them on the ground or on dirty seats or in truckbeds to sit on so I don't get my clothes dirty. I've gotten clothes made out of them. Chitenges make fantastic togas. Zambian women also use them to carry their babies on their backs. They wrap up bulky packages that they carry on their heads.
Tailors in Zambia are pretty great. They can make pretty much anything, and whether it's a dress or a suit jacket, they call it a "chitenge suit." I currently only have one, which I wore for swear-in, but I plan on getting more throughout my service. It's also possible to get chitenge scraps from the tailors. I use them for crafting, but Zambians make purses and all sorts of other goodies to sell to the musungus (white people). And they're all awesome.
So basically, I love chitenge. I definitely plan on bringing them all back to the US and wearing/using them. And I will love being able to just throw them in a washing machine when they're dirty!
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