Colours of Tanzania

April 22, 2015

One of the things I loved discovering in Tanzania was how, when you’re not on safari (when you should stick to light-coloured clothes and avoid black or blue because it attracts the Tsetse flies, which can give you malaria), the people use really vibrant colours for their clothes and textiles.

Maasai

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This young Maasai, for example (who was showing us how to make a toothbrush out of a twig – apparently his dad refuses to use anything else and has perfect teeth) was wearing one of the traditional red Shúkà.

Tanzanian textiles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really loved the colours and patterns of this throw, cushion and rug – such a great combination, and it totally works with the pale mink colour of the chaise longue; it made me think that I really need to be a bit more experimental with colour at home…

Espresso cup and saucer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…and this stunning hand-decorated espresso cup and saucer, which would definitely wake you up in the morning, right?

Mugumu omelette

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even this delicious Mugumu omelette, based on a traditional recipe, filled with peppers and plantain and topped with avocado, was brightly-coloured.

Tanzanian flowers

 

 

 

 

 

 

But of course the best colours are found in nature; as you can see from the fabulous pink of these wild flowers, which are almost Warhol-esque. I promise you, no filter.

African Wild Dogs

 

 

 

 

 

And if you look very closely at this photo you’ll be able to see a pack of African Wild Dogs – an endangered species, so seeing them at all was a real privilege; their coats camouflage them beautifully, so they can carry on lazing in the shade, while keeping a watchful eye for predators. I hope they manage to stay safe.

*This is my entry for The Gallery – the theme this week is ‘colour’.

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  • kelloggsville April 24, 2015 at 9:09 pm

    I love that cup.

  • Molly April 22, 2015 at 10:35 pm

    Looks like a wonderful place full of vibrant life and colours to match

    mollyxxx

  • Libby Price April 22, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    Stunning colours. Africa is definitely on the ‘to do’ list once the kids are a bit older.

  • Susan Mann April 22, 2015 at 2:50 pm

    Amazing colours x

  • Iona@redpeffer April 22, 2015 at 9:19 am

    Yes, I remember the amazing range of bright colours when I visited Kenya-it was incredible. One of my favourite animals, the wild dog, I really like their pack mentality where they look after each other, even the weak or injured one’s. It saddens me that they’re to endangered.

  • Rosie Scribble April 22, 2015 at 8:09 am

    ADORE African colours. Many of those photos remind me of the colour of African soil.