Enjoying The Journey

Bubba holding our new chicken
Joe enjoying the firepit and "patio" Bubba and Joe built
Joe and Bubba beginning construction on the patio and firepit
The Dishwasher broke so Ashley had to wash these dishes by hand
Bubba watering an onion field
Umar and Joe at Umar's onion field
Guava season...my new candy

A Night on the River

So, we spent last night hanging out with our fellow volunteers in Mopti.  We started the night with a drink at Restaurant Bozo.  While enjoying the evening, a boat man approached us and asked if we wanted to take a Pinace (boat) trip across the Niger to a fishing village on the other side.  After our friend Stacy negotiated, in Bambara, the price we decided that we could hardly say no, as the price was $5 usd total for the 6 of us to take the sunset cruise. 
Having a drink at Restaurant Bozo
Bubba getting a lesson on how to wear his scarf properly
Getting on the pinace
What a beautiful sunset

Bubba just enjoying the journey

Enjoying the sunset from our pinace

Boat trip

Sunset over the Niger...gotta love that

Also, I just got this video to upload, this is the woman in our village pounding millet, on the day of Tabaski.  Dogon woman work hard!

Bubba is in town

OK, so we had two big events happen recently, first, Bubba arrived in Mali safely, and secondly our kitten has become a mouse killer.  Bubba arrived in Mali eight days ago and already we have done so much.  We met him in Bamako, which meant that we got to eat pizza and ice cream, and then we all headed back to our village (12 hour bus ride and a 30 minute bike ride).  We arrived in our village just in time to celebrate Tabaski, one of the biggest Muslim celebrations each year.  

Tabaski "Festival of Sacrifice" is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God. However, God provided a ram in place once Ibrahim demonstrated his willingness to follow God's commands.  Tabaski annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic calendar. The festivities last for three days or more depending on the country. Tabaski occurs the day after the pilgrims conducting Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. It happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.

During Tabaski everyone in our village wore there best outfits and every man slaughters one sheep for every one of his wife.   The celebration started with all the men (including Bubba and Joe) walking out to the ridge on the East side of our village.  All the prayer mats from the Mosque were laid out on the ground and we all knelt and prayed toward Mecca.  It was amazing to take part in such a traditional ceremony.

When the prayer ended all the young men in the village shot off old black powdered riffles (they look like old civil war muskets).  The men then went to the house of each village elder and shot off the riffles...I am not sure of the meaning but it is loud and dangerous (I am sure no one has had gun safety!).  

After the prayer and guns,  Bubba and Joe went around and watched as all the sheep in the village were slaughtered.  It was a crazy couple of days.   

Ashley and Bubba playing a new card game (Thanks Ingrid and Jon!)

Ashley all ready to party at the Tabaski festival

Bubba on his way to the "bathroom" to take his first bucket bath
Yes, a basket full of meat for the Tabaski celebration
Joe and Bubba looking like African studs
Bubba getting in goat killing mode

I (Joe) gave our kitten a little training one night on how to kill mice and the next morning we woke up to two dead mice on the floor.  We officially have a mouse killer!

A Great Friend...We Will Miss You

We are saddened because Christina Nardone, our good friend, someone who brightened our day from the moment we met her, was tragically killed on Tuesday, December 2.  Christina made our time in Mali more delightful, always welcomed us with open arms, and had a perpetual smile that made each day a little brighter.  She was an instant friend to everyone and Bandiagara will not be the same with her gone.  We want to celebrate her life by continuing our service in Mali in the same spirit Christina embodied, of wanting to have a lasting positive impact on the lives of the people in Dogon Country.  

Bandiagara : Tragic Collapse of a Water Tower
 
An American was killed last Tuesday in the collapse of a water tower. The accident occurred in the village of Kokodiougou, 15 kilometers north of Bandiagara in the rural commune of Doucoumbo.

The victim, Cristina Nardone, was the coordinator of the Global System Tourism Alliance (GSTA). Her compatriot, Brenda Adelson was injured in the accident. Christina Nardone was a member of the Federation of Traditional Medicine in partnership with the Regional Center for Traditional Medicine in Bandiagara.

The construction work on the water tower was finished last Monday. The structure measured 4 meters in height; with 2 meters being for the pillars and 2 meters for the portion holding the water. The water tower was entirely constructed of cement.

The day after the construction work was completed, the two women visited the site, along with the builder, to visit the water tower, which was to water medicinal plants in the botanical garden managed by the "Federation of Traditional Therapy" of Bandiagara (FATTB) in the village.

Upon arriving at the site, Christina Nardone asked the builder to fill the basin with water.

Several minutes after the water tower was filled, it collapsed on the two women who were unfortunately under it.

The collapse led to the sudden death of Cristina Nardone. With respect to Brenda Adelson, she suffered an open fracture on her left leg.

As soon as they were alerted, police agents from Bandiagara arrived on the scene and the victims were immediately transported to Mopti.

The builder of the water tower is currently being held at the gendarmerie.

The entire population of Bandiagara prays the victim will rest in peace and for the rapid restablishment of Brenda Adelson. The two women were true friends of the Circle of Bandiagara.

O. GUINDO
AMAP-Bandiagara