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January 17, 2005
Cows, Prophets, and Story-telling
We arrived this morning at Cotonou's main abbatoir, where Jacob's friends are working. Immediately several Fulani men surrounded us in anticipation that we were there to buy a bull for the forthcoming "tabaski" festival.
The initial surprise at the white man dressed in Fulani robes and turban soon gave way to amused banter in Fulfulde, as they realised I spoke their language. A crowd gathered, some peppering me with questions about where I came from, while others were eager to show me their animals, in the hope of an early sale. Each time I spoke to answer a question, admire a bull, or compare the animals with my own cattle back in Burkina Faso, the babble would quieten for a few moments, and then start again with renewed vigour.
After looking at the cattle for a while, we were invited by Jacob's friend Sido to come aside and sit and drink tea and chat for a while. A smart Land Cruiser pulled up, and some of the men dashed off to try their luck with the new arrivals, while a handful of others came and crouched in the dust to chat, still with one eye on the haggling going on across the road.
Conversation soon turned to the forthcoming "tabaski" festival, that honours Abraham, one of Islam's greatest prophets. Tabaski remembers Abraham offering up his son to God in sacrifice, and God's provision of a ram in his place. It is one of many places where Christianity and Islam find common ground. Although there are differences in the details of the Biblical and Quranic versions, the basic story is the same. Many of the men were hazy on the origin of the festival, so I told them the story, drawing out how it reveals God's initiative in saving humanity through a sacrifice that he himself provides. The story of course illustrates our own need of salvation, which God has provided in the sacrifice of Christ.
The conversation continued animatedly for a while as we talked about the frustration of religious practise that couldn't free us from sin. But I soon realised that this was not the best place to talk, as the men would soon be distracted by their need to get back to work. So they invited me to come back another day, when they have more time to sit and talk.
Before heading home, we went to visit a nearby Fulani family, where we were welcomed with milk fresh from the cow. One of the young men there was from near Djibo in Burkina Faso. He had come to Benin two years ago to look for work, and had heard nothing of his family since. Nor had he found work. He was glad to hear the little news of Djibo I was able to give him.
The other man there was called Nuuhu (Noah), and this led to more story-telling, this time about God's grace and salvation revealed to the prophet Nuuhu. Before heading home, I prayed for God's blessing on the family, and everyone offered a hearty "Amen" at the end.
It has been such a joy to be back among the Fulani, sharing the good news of Jesus again, and a relief to find I haven't forgotten all my fulfulde. Please remember to pray for the Fulani, that God would open their hearts to the story of his love and salvation for them in Jesus Christ. And please pray that God helps me as I share this good news with them in the coming days. Thank you.
Posted by Keith at January 17, 2005 12:00 PM
