Sugarcane grows across Swaziland in large company fields and in home gardens. Some of it stays in Swaziland as processed sugar (only local brands available at the store!) and much is exported. But what most homegrowers use sugarcane for is a sweet treat. 

This photo shows so many parts of my regular life with my family here. Baby Simphiwe is usually hanging out with me outside (usually his choice) until sunset. He usually spreads lots of dirt to my outfit. Our outside chairs are buckets and jerry cans. Mage is sitting behind me where she can also keep an eye on the fire that is inside the hut.  

But back to the sugarcane. It has a tough outer layer that Swazis rip off with their teeth. I was able to peel off small pieces at a time. Then you chew the inner fibers to release the sugary liquid inside, swallowing the sugar liquid and spitting out the fibers. This is a messy activity. 

I ate the top half of the piece shown here before being worn out. I passed it to Mage, who peeled and sliced the inner fibers for me to finish my piece.