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January 16, 2005
Travelling Friends
On my way to Ouidah today, I met my first Fulani since I have been in Benin.
He was from Niger and was herding some cows at the side of the road. I spotted him from half a mile away - the typical Fulani slender figure with his stick over his shoulders, surrounded by cows. So we pulled over and I hopped out to have a chat. He was obviously surprised and delighted to have a "tuubaaku" (white man) stop to greet and talk to him in his own language. We asked after each other's families as if we were old friends, and then chatted a bit about cows and how the rainy season had been, and where all the Fulani are in the area. After a while, we blessed each other with the peace of God, and moved on.
It was great to meet "my people" again, and made me feel more at home here. Tomorrow morning, a Beninois friend is taking me to meet some of his Fulani friends in Cotonou. I am looking forward to this, and will wear my robe and turban, which I put in my rucksack for just such an occasion. I'll tell you all about it...
Posted by Keith at January 16, 2005 05:07 PM
