1. "A Gardening Guide" by M. L. Sarr. Its subtitle is "Production of Vegetables and Fruit Trees in The Gambia," and it looks to be a nuts and bolts explanation of growing food here, including Mandinka and Wolof names for local produce. Purchased from Timbooktoo for 70 dalasi, or about $3.50.
2. Six yards of fabric. It's an orange-yellow and light green print, and I plan to head to a tailor soon to have a skirt made from it. Purchased from the market in Banjul for 200 dalasi, or about $10.
3. "Treatise on Founding a Federation of African Republics" by Halifa Sallah. He came to speak to us this evening, and he was amazing. I had to buy it. Purchased from Halifa Sallah for 200 dalasi, or about $10.
He is one of the co-founders of Foroyaa, a newspaper here. He spoke about democracy, free press, the importance of information, how colonialism creates a cycle of poverty, how African nations can and should work together, and all sort of things. We must have listened to him for over an hour, but I wouldn't have guess it at the time. He was talking about things that seemed desperately important. I felt like he was speaking truths that needed to get out, and listening was neither a burden nor a chore. These things absolutely needed to be heard, and I was glad to do it.
One of his points that really stuck with me was how frustrating the current educational system here is. The people here are not taught to read and write in their own languages. There are instead taught how to read and write in English, which most people speak poorly. Therefore, the people are untrained in their own languages and can only poorly express themselves in the only one they can write. In addition, many people don't ever go to school and learn English at all, and therefore all the writing is useless to them even if they could get someone to read it to them. The education system has created a double barrier against communication between the people and their leaders. How can democracy exist when people can't inform themselves? How can free press exist in such a place?
2 comments:
Nanner, make sure they give you back whatever fabric is left over. With 10 yards, there should be some. We can always piece together what you bring back for pillows or send to grandma to make a quilt.
Oh, gosh. Hi Mom.
Awa says a skirt takes two yards or less, so I was planning to get at least four back. No worries.
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