Wang oo

One of my best experiences in Uganda to date and likely won’t be topped. A few nights ago I got to join a family for wang oo in the evening – my friend Thomas who is interpreting during my interviews was able to come – we had an amazing time.

Throughout my interviews with fathers, many have mentioned wang oo (pronounced wong O): “Part of the problem is we can’t do wang oo in town,” “The old Acholi before the war always did wang oo,” “One of the ways I teach my children is during wang oo.”

So of course I thought I needed to join a family for wang oo. It happened that during one of our informal interviews at a marua shack a father invited us to his home and said he has wang oo every night as a way to keep his wives and children all unified.

Research and Running

I never know what to name these posts - I hope I didn't go and waste "research and running" too early - because that's pretty much what I do.

Research: Ethnography is fun. I basically just get to be curious all the time - which I am - but this has purpose and some direction. I'm learning a lot about fathers here - how they see themselves, how they connect with their children, how they prioritize their roles as a father, the impact of substance use, their interest in parent-related education, etc... There is actually more interest in parenting education than I was expecting, but of course there is a range. It has also been interesting to hear how fathers are trying to balance traditional roles and responsibilities with "modern" approaches (to use their word). I've been able to talk to fathers from town, fathers from villages, fathers at local drinking shacks, a group of mothers, a priest, and 3 or 4 other community members. I think I have about half of what I would need for my dissertation but there is more we are hoping to learn beyond what I need.

Running: Yesterday I ran 12 miles... out to a village on single track that followed abandoned train tracks and then back on a somewhat remote road. It was my longest run here so far and it was a nice route - not as much traffic as the main roads where I feel like I'm playing frogger - it's actually frightening sometimes (but don't worry, mom). Also, pretty much everything I eat I have to make, and I eat a lot of fruit and veggies, and I guess running burns a lot of calories - so I think I've lost 7-10 lbs (but don't worry, mom). I've started drinking whole milk, using more butter, and eating more Nutella - so I think it's all good.

It's rainy season here so most nights get cool enough to have a light sheet or blanket and - ya know - it rains. It usually rains at least once every few days - today it rained fairly hard and then kept sprinkling all afternoon. The clouds keep the temperature in check most of the time.

So it's all going well - I do miss my wife and my puppy though (in that order - but it's close) ;)