One of my favorite parts of learning a
new language is finding those words that are untranslatable between
your new language and your first one. Those wonderful words that
express a concept that would take sentences to explain in English.
There are quite a few of those in Malagasy but I have a favorite. It
is the word “tamana”.
“Tamana”, as the intro should have
hinted at, is difficult to express in English. There is no one word
just like it. The closest I can come is “content” but it isn't
just that. It means comfortable, happy, content with the place you
live and your living situation. Specifically a new place. Like the
new town a volunteer moves to that is far from family, friends, and
the comforts of home. People are constantly asking “Efa tamana mo
ana?” which basically means “Are you comfortable and happy living
here?” They always want to know if you like it here. That you enjoy
living in their town and country. If I am away from my town for too
long (like a weekend) I am asked if I am not happy here on my return.
They think that I may be staying away because I am not settled here.
More than anything, people here want you to be happy with your place
and living situation.
I love the concept of “tamana”. I
think we could all use it in America. Our society is very much
obsessed with moving on and up. Whether in our jobs, our houses, or
our possessions. Even in our friendships to a certain extent. People
are constantly trying to upgrade. Of course, it can certainly be
argued that this drive is what made America the world's superpower.
The continual need for “better” certainly can have positive side
effects. I know that I have been, although not necessarily in the
possessions department, consistently not content with my station in
life. Wherever I have gone, whatever I have done, I always thought
that something else could be better. I like to think this experience
is helping me learn to be content and happy with what the present
brings me. It has helped me slow things down and enjoy what is
happening now because there really is no other choice. It's either
that or be miserable all the time. My life right now is pretty great
despite one gaping hole that exists in it. But that will be filled in
about a year so that's all good. I am definitely “tamana” here.
One of the goals of Peace Corps is to introduce the culture of our
host country to people back in the US to increase global
understanding and fellowship. I want to introduce “tamana”. Try
to achieve it. If anything, it'll lower your blood pressure.
