Social gatherings, local work, and Mali's Independence Day

My host grandfather, Yaya DIarra, passed away in mid-July. On the 40th day after a death, everyone gathers in the deceased's concession during the afternoon for prayer. During this time, the deceased's family also distributes a hand-full of candy and dates, as well as 'takola,' a small sweet-bread treat made of millet, sugar, and water. These women are rolling the dough to make the latter. Each 'takola' consists of four dough-balls pressed together to make a square.

The women cook the 'takola' at the bottom of a cauldron in a small amount of oil.

Bavieux showing off clothing he had just sewed for his mother for 'selideni.' The 'kalalikɛlaw' (tailors) here in Mali are quite skilled at detailed embroidery.

My friend Tayluru bought a young horse last month which he has been training ever since to pull a 'wɔtɔrɔ' (cart). 

The children in village often go off through the 'kɔngɔ' (fields) to hunt small game with their slingshots. This boy caught a 'kɔrɔ' (large lizard).

'Gingy ma sara!' ('Gingy' didn't die!) Soon after my friend Dara left for Abidjan to work, his younger brother Basalifou (seated, in white), amongst others, returned from his studies in a professional agricultural school nearby. So we have taken up our 'gɛrɛ' (group of friends who get together to socialize at night) with a new crowd at his place.

Sitafinɛ, Basoumanɛ, Basalifou, Basounalɛ, Bahumu, Aminata, and Haoua from our late-night 'gɛrɛ.'

Ladji, Brahman, and Yacouba 'fini kan' (cutting fonio). It is a rediculously small grain that I find difficult distinguishing from a standard weed, but when cooked right, it is very tasty.

September 22nd was Mali's Independence Day, the 51st year since their independence from France. During the morning, I went to the commune seat for their ceremony, as I had done last year. This was the scene just after raising the flag while singing the national anthem.

The 'dozo,' a group of traditional hunters, then performed a dance as two of them sang a traditional song to a repetitive beat played on the two kora instruments.

Following the 'dozo,' a group of young men and women marched into the crowd and performed military-type marching commands at the orders of another man. This was the end of the ceremony in the commune seat this year. It was much more extravegant in year's past (see my post from last year), but was unfortunately cut back due to budgetary restraints. I returned back to my village for their local celebration, which involved a 'shɛni' (dance party) and a communal meal of 'basi ni misi sɔgɔ.' Unfortunately, a significant rainstorm put a damper on these events.