A few weeks ago, my village was the place to be. The vice mayor of Kolda (don’t ask I had no idea that this was a position either until the guy materialized) made an appearance in my village. Representatives from about twenty villages converged on Fodé Bayo to greet and chat with the Vice Mayor of Kolda, who came to hear and discuss the concerns of the people of the bush. Majority opinion agreed that the most important objectives were for 1) a nearby health post to get a full-time doctor, 2) to get better roads in and about the bush, and 3) to have robine (faucets and pipes for water) to be put in our villages. Fascinating conversation, I can assure you, but what’s more important was the day-long celebration and the cross-dressing dance party of my women to celebrate the momentous discussion. Below is the day via photos, enjoy.
Sidenote, the title of this blog refers to a line the patron dropped while opening up the talks as me and my PCV neighbor Kelly were standing amidst the crowds: “Everyone came out today – the men, the women, the children, and even the Americans.” [Cue awkward wave.]
As usual on fete days, the morning begins with the slaughtering of a cow
The mass of women in our giant cooking area that was erected for the occasion
Me and crazy pants grammy, love her!
The dummers and griots getting everyone riled up for the vice-mayor's arrival
Men in white = representing chiefs and imams
Aaaaand, my amazing cross-dressing women. AMAZING!
Don't ask where she found the high school science lab goggles, just appreciate the amazingness
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Home-made party hat!
The cheif's wife. Yes, she's sporting a tie-on beard.
Vice-mayor's welcoming committee. Wouldn't you be pumped to talk to my village?
My mom using her calculator shell as a cell-phone camera. Smile!
And the vice mayor arrives! This is clearly where the day got boring, and thus where my photos end.
