2005-09-28 - 10:03 p.m.

Journal Entry dated September 27, 2005

Lella’s baby boy survived his first week, Alhamdulillah, through sand storms, high temperatures, and rains. He drank cow milk, camel milk, goat milk, his own mother’s milk, as well as the milk of a host of other women in the neighborhood…

He got his head shaved just a few hours after being born and was entirely covered with henna, donning a “healthy” orange tint to his little body and face. As soon as he was born a goat was slaughtered and shared with the neighboring families.

The father arrived from Nouakchott but kept to his own separate quarters every time Lella’s mother was in the compound: his voice not to be heard and his presence not to be felt. As soon as she would leave, he would surface and spend time by Lella’s side, entertaining the guests and being quite enjoyable. Women came streaming in to visit Lella the entire week, each time commanding a generous round of tea and zrig.

He finally got his name today: Ahmed, also known as Dha, after Lella’s belated father. I arrived at their compound early in the morning equipped with my knife ready to sit in a circle with Limnaye’s other girlfriends, peeling and slicing potatoes and onions, while Sidi, the neighbor, slaughtered two other goats, its meat to be shared with the neighboring families and to be eaten by the day’s guests in three different meals…

The older women sat under the tent the entire day, making tea, gossiping and fighting over the new and old government, stuffing themselves with the food we were bringing them throughout the day.

Lella’s husband, once again relegated to a separate part of the compound… his voice not to be heard and his presence not to be felt when Deidda (Limnaye and Lella’s mother) was around. Five different fires going at the same time, Limnaye running the entire show directing us to our various tasks…

At the day’s end, after dropping off Mueka (one of Lella’s other children) to her aunt’s house, I visited my original host family… and my host sister Ashetu’s newborn baby girl!!! She gave birth to the cutest little bundle yesterday after twenty-four hours of labor!!! So next Monday I will be slicing more potatoes for yet another naming celebration Inshallah! :-) Ashetu’s husband might not even make it to Magta Lahjar until after Ramadan…

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The animal population at my house has changed this season.
The mice are long gone (Alhamdullillah)… but in their place have come frogs and strange-looking grass-hoppers… in addition to the nasty blister-beetles which I had so luckily escaped while in Kaedi last summer: they got me now… and in my own home! I guess that is what I get in exchange for a generous rainy season! Speaking of which, I had the most pleasant night, last night, as I laid under a cool refreshing drizzle and woke up to a “cold” windy overcast morning!

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I hope this update finds you all well and in good spirits.
I enjoy reading all your letters, emails, and guestbook notes.
Keep sending your “love” my way!!

Ma’a Salaam (with peace),

Jordy

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