A Brazilian visitor pointed out that she didn't feel like buying any Tanzanian handicrafts because they always show women working, and men being lazy. I started paying attention and wow, she is absolutely right. You'll see paintings, carvings, embroidery of women pounding maize, carrying water and children, cooking, farming... where men are depicted, they are usually Maasai guys leaning on their spears. Or old wazee smoking pipes. If women are depicted in some sort of leisure activity it's usually topless dancing in a grass skirt.
I guess this reflects real life, but this observation made me wish there was a bit more imagination and observation going into the Tanzanian arts and crafts. No need to keep reinforcing these oppressive gender stereotypes and letting guys think it's still OK not to help in the kitchen.
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