Funeral/life celebration

This is just the warmup. We danced to the beat of the Balafons orchestra till four in the morning.  “If she dies old, we dance”.

The night of my arrival in Bolomakoté, my neighbor passed away. Since then my courtyard has become the women’s central command, full of cauldrons of rice and sauce. 

Cooking continues into the night while the Christian ceremony continues nextdoor, with sermons and singing.

Riz Gras ready for service

We lay the sleeping children in my room before the dancing begins

View from my cafe kiosk this morning of the coffin on its way to the cemetery, followed by a parade of people by foot and every other mode of transport.

Needless to say, getting work done these last few days has not been easy!