Kigali Hash House Harriers

Our first Saturday in Kigali marked a new beginning for us.  Meredith invited us to join her at a “hash” event around 3:30pm.  All we knew was that it is a group of people called “hashers” who get together every Saturday afternoon.  Now, I know what you’re thinking and it’s not what you think… You meet up with the other hashers at a bar where you begin to get to know each other and drink some liquid courage.  As the sun sets you walk down secluded paths to a large tent in the forest.  The tent is large enough to hold about 30 people and looks a little like a circus tent (very funny).   As you approach the tent you can see steam pouring from tent flaps and you soon realize the tent is very warm.  Picture a Rwandan sauna!   After taking off our clothes we settle inside the tent sitting on pillows and blankets.  Once everyone is seated in a circle around the large bonfire in the center of the space, the chanting begins.  “The hashing has begun! The hashing has begun.”  The chant stops once everyone has participated in the chant.  Next a topic is thrown out for discussion.  “If love is really selfless, than it ought to be free.”  After spending an hour in the tent, you begin to understand yourself and life a little better.  Things become a little clearer…like it should be clear to you reading this that a “hash” is nothing like what we’ve described.  Come’on people!! You know us!  We’re not like that!  Naked with 30 other people!  I’m even a little hurt you fell for this as long as you did.  ;-) … … All is forgiven. 

Back to the real story…

Hashing is actually a worldwide phenomenon.  Our best comparison to the Hash House Harrier group is that of a fraternity.  There are “rules” that the group respects.  For instance, using technology on a hash is strictly prohibited.  There are ceremonial traditions like introducing first timers or reprimanding “backsliders” (people who have missed more than 2 hashes in a row) but it is all in good fun.   Most of the time the group goes out to party after a Hash for more bonding time.  There is a $4 fee every time you show up but that covers unlimited drinks and food is always provided.  There is a treasurer and group leaders that run the “meetings.”  To be fully adopted into the Hash House Harriers, you must attend at least 10 hashes (which are hikes) and then you go through an adoption ceremony where you are given a hash name.  Once you are adopted in, you can show up to any Hash House around the world and have a common bond.  Basically, Hashers bond over socializing and hiking.  We really enjoyed meeting new people and sharing in a love for the outdoors.  If you would like to read more about the background of hashing, please check out the link: What is a Hasher? on the left side of our blog.

Our first hash was on the outskirts of Kigali.  We can’t remember the actual name of the area but we do remember that the word meant “the tree of the birds.”  It was an intense hike to the top one of the hills with a steep descent.  The view was indescribable and impossible to capture through a camera lens.  Most hashes last around 1 hour but the entire event, including the hash meeting, can last up to 4 hours or more depending on how long you want to socialize. 

The second hash took place in our neighborhood: Kacyiru.  Michelle went by herself since Nate’s ankle felt a little sore that morning.  This was an eventful hash because Michelle got to witness a “naming ceremony.”  Sandra (a woman from Germany) was the “hare” (which means she is the one who set the trail) and had completed her 10th hash.  It was a very different hash, being that the terrain was in the valley between two hills so was mostly flat and was in the middle of residential neighborhoods.  Michelle got to see a lot of Rwandan homes that were more lower class and an authentic street market.  It was also the first time Michelle witnessed goat intestine served as a dish.  So far we have been really sensitive to taking pictures of people because most adults in Rwanda aren’t comfortable with their picture being taken.  Once we have established ourselves as neighbors and not tourists, we will take more pictures.  We are trying to upload a Picasa album to our blog tonight so hopefully you can view some pictures we have taken so far.

 

Imana ibarinde kandi ibahe umugisha.