It is customary to visit the chief upon arrival.
Bring him one white chicken if you can. It should be white to represent that you have come in peace. It should definitely not be black.
The chief is a generous man, and if you think you have done good in bringing a chicken, you will be surprised to see that he will not let you leave without first giving you a goat. It will also be white.
You will have to, of course, wait for the chief like we did. But his house has many comfortable wooden chairs and when the chief comes out in enormous blue robes and a petite red hat, you will know it has been worth the wait. Stand.
Later, when you ask what is most important in life, during your Q and A with the chief, he will say respect. The two men that lay at his feet will click their tongues when they hear this answer.
If you get to speak with the chief, do not look him in the eye. But note his ring-tone as he pauses to take a call mid response.
The chief lives in a white concrete house with a large courtyard. He will walk you to his gate after your meeting. When you look back at him a few meters down the road, he will still be smiling a great smile. Wave.
The chief is an elected official that has won the respect of his people. If you come to Ouahigouya do not _not_ visit the chief. If you forget, he will be offended. The chief's people will reflect the emotions of their leader.
The chief will give you his business card. Do not misplace it.
4 comments:
Epic!!! THE CHIEF. Was his surname JMR?
:)_! I love the part about the cell phone ring tone. What irony.
That was Katie, by the way. This must be signed into mom's gmail. :)
love it. i might use it in my class to teach juxaposition, narrative point of view, and color symbolism. I'm thinking about you and hope all is well. Merry Christmas season.
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