Communicating without words

While I was in south Africa, I was volunteering with the UNESCO waterberg survey. We stayed in these amazing huts that were designed using cow manure. The women who ran the places we were staying did not speak English but spoke sepedi.I felt a sense of connection to these women already and had many conversations with them without having to use words but gestures. I helped them make skirts and fabrics and dry off dishes. It was powerful. They embraced me with hugs and waves every time I saw them. We communicated without words but there was much being said. These women made me feel like I was surrounded by family and considered them as family. Regardless of us not being able to verbally speak the other persons language, I still felt like we were connected and we understood one another. At one point, they gave me a name. They called me what sounded like montewoo which means mother elephant. I think it is spelled mmetlou but I am not sure. Every time I would see them they would shout the name out loud and embrace me with a hug. When I had to say goodbye to them, that was the hardest part of the trip. They knew I was leaving and the hug they provided was even longer.