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September 13, 2005

Chicken Psychology

My Brazilian friends Christiano and Irenaldo have arrived in Djibo now, and are settling in fine. It's nice to have some chortling Brazilian housemates after a few months on my own here.

I took them to visit the chief of Djibo who was holding court in his house in the depths of Hong Kong, surrounded by old men chewing cola nuts. As we sat with him a griot appeared at the door and started listing the chief's tarik (genealogy), starting about 500 years ago and rattling through at lightening pace down to the present day. The griot's clean-shaven sidekick was also there to shout 'Moyyi' (Good!) after each name. The whole experience was fascinating and strangely moving.

That afternoon the same griot gave Christiano and Irenaldo a chicken to welcome them to Djibo. His son showed us how to make sure a chicken does not escape from your yard: you take her to the spot where she will eventually be cooked, and swing her head-down in three circles over that spot. Even if it roams far and wide she will always come back to that spot and when you come along with your sharp knife she will be there waiting for you.

Posted by sahelsteve at September 13, 2005 02:03 PM