This is What I Stayed Up All Night For?

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I'd been anticipating the Moro Naba ceremony ever since I first read about it. I envisioned a procession of kings and dignitaries in extravagant, colorful finery. Based on what I knew, it only happened on Friday mornings around dawn, when kings from neighboring areas came to pay homage to the Moro King, reenacting a page from Burkina Faso's history. As I danced to Prince til the wee hours of the morning, I opted to stay awake all night, rather than risk missing the Moro Naba. When the rooster crowed (literally), I sprang into action, hailing taxis and rallying laggards so as not to miss the magnificence of the ceremony on our last day in town.

Marquis had volunteered to be our guide and met us at the prearranged place and time. We taxied over to the palace? and waited around for a couple of hours while other people arriving on mopeds, and the occasional Benz wearing, typically western business attire arrived and milled around as well. Eventually, the need to pee arose and the adventure really began! Fortunately Marquis knew someone in a nearby village who offered use of the loo, given the lack of public facilities anywhere nearby. When we returned, the Moro Naba ceremony was finally getting underway. I have to give it to the Brandt guide writers; their breathless account thoroughly whetted my appetite but it certainly did not reflect what we saw. There was more waitig around than anything, and when it did get underway, well, we were underwhelmed. We were not disrespectful, and listened as Marquis nearly inaudible with reverence, described what was going on. We demurred, and at the end, gratefully left for our last breakfast in Ouaga, regretting that the Moulin Rouge wasn't open and serving kabobs. (I also regret that I didn't slept in!)

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Photos

Olivier
Olivier

Comments

[Linda Moore Davis]

great pictures cuz, bet you had a great time. When do you travel again, look forward to seeing those pictures too. lots of love, linda