The following paragraph in Hochschild's book reminded me of some embarrassing moments learning random facts about Zanzibari spices and their respective reproductive (or not) properties:

Like many indigenous peoples, inhabitants of the Congo basin had learned to live in balance with their environment. Some groups practiced what was, in effect, birth control, where couples had to abstain from sex before men left on a hunting expedition, for example, or as long as the woman was breast-feeding a baby. Substances found in certain leaves and bark could induce miscarriages or had contraceptive properties. All these means of population control, incidentally, were strikingly similar to those which had evolved in another great rain forest an ocean away, the Amazon basin.

In Zanzibar the air is full of spices and my spice tour guide took great pleasure pontificating upon the many properties of their spices. These ancient medicinal plants are still revered and used today.

Woman apply a certain herb to their skin before they go dancing. Why do they apply it? For the obvious reason - to attract men. Unfortunately, I forgot the name of this plant.

Then the Zanzibari male declares he doesn't need viagra because he has ginger root. Boil ginger root in water. Drink the broth. Voila. All good. Don't you want to buy some for your husband or your boyfriend? No thank you. Persistant guide. Picture Grace - very awkward social situation.

Next. We come to the plant used by woman to cause abortions. I really should remember what it was, but I'm afraid I don't. Henna? No. Aloe? Maybe.

Then, later, when touring Stonetown, my notorious guide introduced me to a man sitting in a doorway, selling little red berries. Envision little, tiny candied raspberries and you'll be just about there. My guide declared I should try them. Did he eat them? No. Did the salesman eat them? No. Who ate them? Only woman. They are supposed to help during pregnancy. Again, awkward social moment...which is pleasant to laugh about now, months later.