'Seliba' (The Islamic Festival of Sacrifice)

The Muslim holiday of Tabaski (Festival of Sacrifice), or 'Seliba' in Bambara, took place on Sunday, November 6th. The celebration on Sunday involved a communal morning prayer in the fields, followed by a communal breakfast of 'kini ni tiga dɛgɛ na ni misi sɔgɔ' (rice with peanut sauce and cow meat).

Married men spend the following two mornings in groups 'yala yala ka daraka dun' (walking about from concession to concession to eat several breakfasts in succession), then the rest of the day relaxing and chatting in these same groups. Unmarried men get together in one place and pool their money together for a simple communal meal. After cooking, the wives of each group of married men get together to eat a communal meal, then also spend the rest of the day together. The 'yala yala ka daraka dun' tradition, I have since learned, is specific not only to our region, but to our particular village.

Also in my village, the 'denmisenw' (young men and women) hold their 'shɛniw' (dance parties) each day and night.

The following are some pictures I took during the festivities:

Each of the four 'kinw' (neighborhoods) in the village slaughter their own cow. This was my 'kin', Katilɛla.

Since we had filled the 'jɛgɛ dumuni yɔrɔ' (fish eating area) primarily with agricultural scraps, the villagers had the idea to empty the undigested stomach contents of the cow, primarily crop stalks and grass, into the area. No part of the cow went to waste!

Young boys were tasked with cleaning out the intestines and miscellaneous guts with water. Since they were already at the pond, they did so there.

From left to right, Senata, Lamissa's wife Afu and her child Buba, Lamissa, Koni and her child, and myself. Lamissa is the headmaster at the village's school. Lamissa and Senata have become two of my closest friends. I spend 'tilɛfɛ' (early afternoon) most days chatting with these folks in their concession.

A 'shɛni' (dance party) during Sunday afternoon.

Three young girls dressed up as men danced during the 'shɛni' Sunday night. They danced with two other girls, and had fun joking and grinding on each other.

Myself and Tayluru, one of my best friends in village. 

Monday afternoon with our 'daraka gɛrɛ' (breakfast group). After finishing our walk-a-bout to eat breakfast at each other's concession, we spend the rest of the day chatting, drinking tea, listening to the radio, and playing cards. After the wives of the men were finished with cooking and their morning chores, they spent the afternoon chatting together by our side.

During Monday night's 'shɛni,' Ladji, Isa, and Yacouba dressed up as a rap group, while Seydou dressed up as a 'cɛkɔrɔba' (village elder man), staring straight ahead and sliding Islamic prayer beads in his right hand. The rap group lip-synched a Malian song to the 'cɛkɔrɔbaw.' People from the audience then began giving the 'cɛkɔrɔbaw' money, food, etc. One young man, Yɛ, took it a bit far, standing in front of Seydou, stripping off his shirt and shoes to offer up. It was hilarious.

Myself and Aliwata, another good friend of mine and the 'sɛbɛnɛkɛla' (secretary) of our water and sanitation committee. I have been teaching him bookkeeping, accounting, and budgeting techniques regarding dues collection and our impending well construction project.

Our 'daraka gɛrɛ' eating our final breakfast on Tuesday.

Ladji and Yacouba dressed up as 'fulacɛw' (Fulani men) during the final 'sheni,' Tuesday night. Fulani are an ethnic group found across West Africa. To this day, they are primarily cattle herders.