July 15 Day 15 Bobo Continued

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  Bobo-Dioulasso, Houet, Burkina Faso
Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Breakfast today was at Sanga Patisserie/Boulangerie. We did not know the Sanga family also owned this and a Bakery but also are working on a hotel. Sanga's cousin, Adama, is going to be our guide today.

Sanga took us to his three mothers’ home. It is much bigger than our homes as there are three mothers living there with their children and grandchildren.  Sanga’s dad had his own quarters different from the three wive’s quarters.  Since Sanga’s dad died, the oldest brother, Moussa, is in charge.  He now lives in the dad’s quarters with his family, one wife and five children.  In the compound, there is a mausoleum where Sanga’s dad is interred.  They want his spirit and body to be close to the family and to the little ones.  His spirit still helps the family make good decisions.  We took ;pictures with Sanga’s biological mom

Sanga's Mom

.  She was too shy to speak to us, even though she knew how  to speak French.  She seemed sweet, just like Sanga!

We then went to visit his aunt’s house/compound.  She wasn’t there but we were welcomed by a cousin.  There were a whole bunch of little kids there.  They all came and shook our hands.  It was quite cute.  The lingering hand shake where their eyes kind of bugged out as they were comparing their skin to ours.  One little girl cried as soon as she saw us coming and another little girl shied away from us in her mother’s arms.

We started going to the Mosque. Dave was surprised that they would let us both in to the whole mosque but we both went in the women’s door. While touring we had great discussion on the religion of Islam with Adama and the guide. Both Dave and Ann learned a great deal about the religion and the mosque which was built in1880.  From Adama’s point of vue and according to the Koran, we are the same people and we come from the same beginnings.  We discussed religious wars and how the media, politics and fanatics can mess everything up!!

We visited a traditional village.  Each quarter had its own traditions

Inside Bobo's Mosque

.  One was animist, the others were blacksmith, Muslim and griot.  The griots are the communicators and the music makers.  We saw the everyday workings of the village, washing clothes in basins and in the river, cooking, making beer, making bronze objects, etc.  We took tons of pictures.

We also visited "La Musée de la musique.  We watched a video and were given a tour where we learned that there are three kinds of communication through music.  The first is “musique ici" for communicating with those who are close to you as in the same village,  then there is “musique la-bas” which is musique with which you communicate to the next village and finally “musique au-dela” which is used when communicating with the God’s and spirits.  We weren’t allowed to take pictures as the instruments are very sacred.

We returned to Sanga’s for a little rest before supper.  We ate some very delicious mango and some oranges from a road-side vendor.  Sanga’s family and friends come every day after work to smoke, drink tea and play checkers.  As soon as he is finished, we will go out for supper.   We are going to Le Pacha.  The restaurant claims to serve the best pizza in the world.  We will see. 

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Chilling on the Portulaca?

The traditional village

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