Exercise participants take well-deserved 'Cultural Day' off

By Maj. Jason S. Brown, U.S. Army Africa Public AffairsJuly 22, 2014

Exercise participants take well-deserved 'Cultural Day' off
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Salima, Malawi— Malawian performers demonstrate traditional dance at cultural day during Southern Accord 14, July 20. SA 14 promotes regional relationships, increases capacity, trains U.S. and Southern African forces, and furthers cross traini... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise participants take well-deserved 'Cultural Day' off
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Salima, Malawi—A baboon flashes it's pearly whites while sitting in a tree during the cultural day at Southern Accord 14, July 20. SA 14 is a key element in a broader series of military-to-military activities to demonstrate the strong partnersh... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise participants take well-deserved 'Cultural Day' off
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Salima, Malawi— Eugene L. Martin, G5 exercises, U.S. Army Africa, has a conversation with Brig. Gen. Peter L. Corey, Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Africa, during cultural day at Southern Accord 14, July 20. SA 14 is a key element in a br... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise participants take well-deserved 'Cultural Day' off
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Salima, Malawi—Col. Peter G. Minalga, commander, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division (right), shows Lt. Col. Rick Komba, U9 directorate lead officer, Tanzania Peoples Defence Force (left), a picture during cultural day at So... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise participants take well-deserved 'Cultural Day' off
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Salima, Malawi— Malawian performers demonstrate traditional dance at cultural day during Southern Accord 14, July 20. SA 14 promotes regional relationships, increases capacity, trains U.S. and Southern African forces, and furthers cross traini... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise participants take well-deserved 'Cultural Day' off
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Salima, Malawi— Malawian performers demonstrate traditional dance at cultural day during Southern Accord 14, July 20. SA 14 promotes regional relationships, increases capacity, trains U.S. and Southern African forces, and furthers cross traini... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Exercise participants take well-deserved 'Cultural Day' off
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Officers from the nation of Botswana arrive in traditional dress to demonstrate their pride and heritage at cultural day during Southern Accord 14, July 20. SA 14 is a key element in a broader series of military-to-military activities to demonstrate ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Salima, Malawi - Participants in exercise Southern Accord 14 in Salima, Malawi took a well-earned day off June 21 travelling to the Sunbird Livingstonia Beach for a cultural day.

After five days of non-stop training, planning and writing orders for a fictitious United Nations peacekeeping operation, participants were more than ready to kick-off their shoes and have a good time. The day's festivities included volleyball, soccer, a bar-b-que, shopping at a local market, and displays of traditional dances from Malawi and neighboring Zambia.

"In Africa, we communicate through music," said Lt. Col. M. Ponyane, an Armored Regiment Commander in the Botswana Defense Force. "Even if you don't understand the words, you can see and feel the stories. I enjoyed comparing Malawian and Botswanan culture."

For many American Soldiers, this was not only their first time in Africa, but their first time leaving the United States. Such was the case for Pvt. 1st Class Joel J. Gonzalez, communications specialist from 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. "I got to see a lot of things you don't normally see in the Bronx," said the New York City native. "I really enjoyed playing soccer with the (Malawian Defense Force) Soldiers. The whole day was amazing."

After the cultural day, the exercise participants returned to the Malawian Armed Forces College to resume the exercise. The final week will feature a capstone training exercise designed to test the military interoperability and staff cohesion built during the challenging first week.

Southern Accord is an annual combined, joint exercise designed to increase the ability of U.S. and African partner forces to respond to humanitarian disasters, peace keeping operations, and combating terrorism in the region.

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U.S. Army Africa