Don Don Donkey Face Don Don Donkey Face

"Sitan, we arrived to the field."

"Sitan, An sera forola." Yes indeed, Captain Obvious, I can see that we have arrived to the fields. The many rows of millet and sorghum kind of gave it away. The first time I came to these same fields was during planting, which coincided with shea collection. So while they ploughed the fields and planted I walked around in circles collecting shea fruit through out the day or searching the trees for ripe zaba fruit. Last year I went out with a group to cut sorghum, but they didn't have me do anything, but take pictures. This year I took a little initiative and went with my friend to her husband's field and worked. Word spread fast that the Toubab-muso (white woman) was cutting sorghum and so I got a lot of praise for my work and everyone was surprised at how fast I learned and my work pace. We took breaks for lunch and tea was brought to us as we went down the rows cutting away. They would lay the stalks to the ground and we would bend, cut, and hold bundles of sorghum in our left hand before one of the children came by to collect and place them in piles. Or we would walk through the rows cutting the sorghum from the top looking up to the sky considering many stalks were over 8 feet tall. So I either had a sore back/thighs or sore neck. The sorghum also makes you really itchy, there is some irritant on the plant that caused bumps to form on my arm like a small rash. Of course, the treatment for that is to just rub shea butter on your arms.
I plan to use shea butter for the rest of my life, I use it as a nightly moisturizer and its great to rub a little in and around your nose when you have a cold/stuffy nose.


I would prefer not to work with this huge baby on my back, but sometimes its the only way to continue working and get the baby to stop crying.




Zoumana a.k.a. Bubba he was smiling, but his mom told him to shut his mouth




He worked hard




Fatoumata and I

  

A Malian Grandmother

Occasionally something happens that I get a good laugh out when thinking about Malian and American culture. Sitting outside holding the baby or watching my host mom toss her around singing songs, made me think of my grandmother that used to rock us singing "Ling-Lang" and a variety of other ryhmes or Spanish songs. Or how fun it is to put make-up or clothes on the baby.


Baby made to look like an old Fulani woman



woman's head wrap

My second and perhaps last Tabaski in Mali

Sunday, November 6, 2011, get up and get ready for prayer. On Sundays I attend mass at the Catholic church, but since this would be my last Tabaski in Mali I decided to skip mass and go to the Mosque with my host-mom. The 'under construction for a long time Mosque' so we gathered outside in rows, the lot directly next to the grand Mosque.

The men were seated in the front and women towards the back. There was a large gap between each row that was frequented by 'garibous' Malian boys begging, and twins wearing matching outfits accompanied by their mother. It is very common practice to give money or gifts to twins. One Malian's reasoning was that it is bad luck if you don't, another one was because they just look so adorable you feel like giving them something. As time passed it was getting hotter and hotter. It seemed shorter than my previous times attending Mosque, but I believe it was on account of the sun being hot.
I sat on the left-side of my host-mom and the right side of her friend. As we were dismissed many people came around to give greetings and blessings for a great year and a long life. A next door neighbor came and grabbed our prayer rugs to carry back for us as we walked back to the house to prepare for our feast.
The slaughter of the sheep. Sorry for the following picture.

about to place the head and feet onto the fire



All dressed in their best



new hair-do



Tying baby onto back to visit her "god-mother"
Stephanie and Jessica don't be surprised if you catch me baby-sitting with your baby tied on my back



Amineta and Amineta a.k.a Ta
When babies are born, they are given their name on the seventh day announced at a naming ceremony
It is a source of pride to have a child named after you, for all time it is your namesake (i togo ma)

Well the day was good and the feast was great. A lot of sheep meat served with sauce and couscous and for dinner more sheep meat. For the last fete I made a huge batch of banana treats, but this time I just gave 5000FCFA (about $10) to show my appreciation for everything my host mother has done for me. Welcoming me into her family as one of her own and being such an incredible support for work and living in Mali. I am so thankful to her and everyone that has made these last 16 months in Mali the most unforgettable and exciting times of my life. As she said to me the day we met "You have left your home, to come home" Amen!

Funny, You Know video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4swOWhsaQg