We’ve been to see the Hadza a few other times before, but the other times that we went as a family were always to the band on Hadza that live on the northern end of Lake Eyasi (Mangola). This time we went to Yaeda Valley where we got to camp with them (spend more time with them). This is the same area where the reporter from National Geographic went when he did his story (where the map below is also from…created by UCRT). We were lucky to camp with Lisa and Mike Peterson. The Peterson family has been coming here for years and they have a great relationship with the Hadza (the family owns Dorobo Safaris). This was also our farewell adventure with the Banks family as they move back to America in a couple of weeks.
We had a great (8 hour) drive there with great stops at a waterfall and lunch overlooking Lake Manyara.
We spent three nights camping at a gorgeous spot overlooking the Yaeda valley with the Hadza, but with the benefit of our own tent, food and water. The kids did not want to leave. We woke to a dik-dik hanging from a tree our first morning. The result of a successful hunt during the night.
We all then went out for a walk where we dug for roots (or watched the digging of roots), found some stingless bee honey, started fires with sticks, and then cooked the roots.
Climbing a giant baobab was a great way to spend some time (this is how the Hadza climb to find honey)
We spent the better part of an afternoon having the Hadza make the kids new bows and arrows. They straightened the wood with their teeth once the wood had been warmed in the fire and then the carved markings on it which were then made darker with some oil and rubbing of coals. Anderson loves his new bow which is decorated with dik-dik fur and make with the tendon of a kudu.
Successful honey hunt
What a great final adventure together!
More pics:
Oh my goodness what an experience.
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