I'm going on a trip to mali. I'll be staying in a village without electricity. I'm confused about what I should bring as a gift for my host family. Please give suggestions for either the male head of the family or the female or the family as a whole.
2006-12-09 09:09:45 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Maybe a small battery powered applience? A year's supply of batteries would be nice too.
Aproximately 90% of the population is Sunni Muslims. The country is very poor, although it is known as city of gold. Unless you already know that culture, I would study it to be sure what would be appropriate, and not offend. Start here for a definition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni_Islam
I would be prepared for spartan conditions there and be sure your shots are updated before you go.
...jj
2006-12-09 09:26:52 · answer #1 · answered by johnny j 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gee, hard question.
Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world, but it doesn't mean that your host family is poor. Giving something that you think they "need" might hurt their pride.
I would recommend getting something that is representative of your home country.
When I went to Japan (I am Australian) people loved anything to do with Australian animals and so I had taken tee shirts with Australian motifs, kangaroo pins, some small stuffed animals, also some cheap boomerangs for children (I spent a lot of time teaching people how to throw them too). I also took some examples of Aboriginal Art as gifts my host family.
2006-12-10 09:59:12 · answer #2 · answered by poptop 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would consider bringing food items from the United States as a host gift. Such items might include foods made in your area (jams/jellies, chocolate, cookies, anything non-perishable) made along with a very good map of the US so you can show them where you live.
Alternatively, a calendar of scenes from the US might be nice (along with that map to figure out where the monthly scenes are located)--or a 'coffee table' type book of American sights and scenes.
Kitchenware is nice, too, items such as a very pretty spoon rest or spices holder or salad bowl.
Clothing is good. Socks, shawls, head scarves--if they're made in your area so much the better.
2006-12-09 12:12:19 · answer #3 · answered by Sebille 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know! A Mali passport, an English dictionary, a lot of bags, plane tickets to the US and green cards! MAke them wetbacks to the US! I'm sure they'll like it!
2006-12-09 12:38:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Get them a ton of candles.
2006-12-10 02:51:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋