Pounding grain

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Constance can be seen here pounding maize into flour. The flour, called nshima (pronounced in-sheema), is the staple food for millions of people in Africa.

Its takes a lot of back-breaking work to grow the food but preparing it also takes lots of time. This is one of the jobs done by the girls and women. You would never see boys do this kind of work.

Often the women pound the grain together. The women sing while they pound to help them keep the rhythm - one wrong move and there'll be a few sore fingers and arms.