World Costume Dolls: DOLLS FROM ZAMBIA AND KENYA (and my visit to the Edinburgh Tattoo, Scotland)

Sunday 18 August 2013

DOLLS FROM ZAMBIA AND KENYA (and my visit to the Edinburgh Tattoo, Scotland)

Today I am listing a couple of dolls from ZAMBIA and KENYA.

As always, you can see more information about the dolls, on the website.

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I have just returned from a visit to the EDINBURGH TATTOO (to give it it's full title - THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO). It is an outstanding performance which draws nearly nine thousand people to each performance. I have added some pictures from it, down below, but I wish I was a better photographer!

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ZAMBIA (Makishi tribal doll)

(Website Id: Africa - Zambia - 002)

(The Makishi people are also to be found in Zimbabwe)

KENYA (four men in a boat)
(Website Id: Africa - Kenya - 0016)

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THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO

(Postcard of the Castle and the Tattoo)

THE TATTOO.

I have added just a few photos here as it was impossible to photograph it all, or indeed to mention all the participants.

It was an outstanding and very memorable performance which left me completely over-whelmed. The colourful costumes, elegant dresses, the perfection of the performers, the fantastic sounds and lighting effects all contributed to a fantastic evening. Who could fail to be over-whelmed? The commentary was excellent, as were the Pipers and Bands, the co-ordination of the elegant dancers and the unbelievable performance of the six to fifteen year old motor cycle stuntmen, one of whom rode his 50 c.c. motor cycle right over the top of a car and landed safely the other side. (I couldn't photograph it as I was too scared to look!). They performed cross-overs with split second timing, fire jumping and also forming unbelievable pyramids. One of the boys in the team was just six years old. These performers have to retire at the age of sixteen. The whole show really had to be seen to be believed. The participants came from four different continents and came from Scotland, Ireland, Korea, Mongolia, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman and Malta.

It was extremely emotional when every single participant came together at the end for the Grand Finale. After the vote of thanks it was with great pride that the participants and all the spectators sang the National Anthem which was followed by the spectators all joining hands and singing "Auld Lang Syne", in an act of world friendship - all 8600 of them. To end the evening entertainment the Lone Piper played the bagpipes at the very top of the Castle to signify the end of the Tattoo performance that evening. What more can I say?

THE BEGINNING OF THE TATTOO)