Transitions, kids, Tabaski

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END OF LIFE CEREMONY
Feeling that it was an opportunity to be thoughtful and for me to experience another cultural event, I went to services for the husband of a teacher who passed away. He grew up in Kaolack where his family and friends remain. First we went to a mosque, but looked it like an ordinary house. Men were outside (street, sidewalk) at a prayer service. Women were in the yard sitting around. I wore the most appropriate dress I had and saw that color does not matter. But a head covering may have been good.

In one area food was cooking in large pans over charcoal fires. Kids (not human), lambs, and goats roamed around. After a while a man came to pray, chant, and preach for maybe 30 minutes; sounded like it might be Arabic and not Wolof. The next morning a group from the education office went to Fatick, about an hour away. By 10AM there were many in Sunday best at the house; it looked like this would go thru the day. The widow was inside in the living room-dining room. She was on a mat on the floor, surrounded by women. People drifted in to sit there a while. Some said a quick word to her. A few longer talk of soothing sympathy. Some dropped money (bills and coins).

10,000 GIRLS
An American woman who thought she retired here instead has begun an organization called 10,000 Girls. (website is http://10000girls.org/, interesting info including a CNN news clip). I went as they tried to distribute some school supplies in book bags older girls had made to give to elementary and middle schoolers. There was such a large excited group, boys, girls, parents, teachers, that crowding around and noise level called for Plan B. Instead of calling girls, over 100 at that location, to receive bags that were labeled for them, the distribution was put off to individual classes. Since then I have seen girls on the streets with their bags.

Then we visited classes. 90 - 100 students per class in 2 shifts. 10,000 girls helped get floors cemented and some electricity. Desks are benches for 3 - 4 kids with a wooden slab tops, often broken. The kids are a pretty low economic level, as their clothing (torn, poorly fitted, mismatched) attested. Even their body language is different. But they are kids, curious about strangers and foreigners. They asked my name, had short conversations, ending in their giggles.

TABASKI / THANKSGIVING
Last Saturday as I tried to go out for my customary walk early I was VERY surprised. The courtyard (about 10 x 10), thru which I must go, had at least a dozen sheep sleeping. I waited. Later they were up and standing but walking across the area where they left remains—not pleasant. By midday it was clean, pristine. The reason: Tabaski. This year U.S. Thanksgiving coincides with a holiday to celebrate the Muslim version of the sacrifice of Abraham. The Koran considers the oldest son, Ishmael (not the Jewish patriarch Isaac) the one who was to be killed but spared and a ram offered instead. So sheep are killed for great feasts.

For Thanksgiving: I wish you a happy holiday and for many, many reasons to continue being thankful. Count you blessings, there are always more and more and more to notice.

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Comments

[Brik]

Giving Thanks
My mother has driven the point 'don't sweat the small stuff home'. To take these lessons further, I would like to add that this is the season to appreciate the small stuff. I am appreciative of the unending support, words of advice and constructive feedback, an appreciation of the world's diversity, and a wonderful upbringing. The beauty of the gift of giving is that the giver isn't always aware of the impact of a seemingly small event on the other side of the globe (butterfly effect), but I get constant thanks for giving them access to your wonderful thoughts and experiences. You are loved, by all.

[Tsehaye Hebert]

Sounds like back home...
..where my mom, a legendary 1st grade teacher taught a class of 100! The other 1st grade teacher went on maternity leave and no teacher was hired. Instead, desks were brought in and children were stacked to the rafters! But mother handled it. I remember because I had been kicked out of preschool and was now attending 1st grade for 2nd or 3rd time....you see 1st grade was my "babysitter". I disliked preschool - too much coloring and not enough real work. I engineered my exit with some pretty dramatic behaviour. That class of 100 comes up at reunions. We forget that this is standard in so many places. We are thankful for small things!