Friday, July 30, 2010

Fire!

Last Saturday night, the flat in our compound caught fire. We were out so the watchmen ran to the nearest neighbour to set off the alarm. From there the women in each boma set off a chain of loud ‘uuueee’ sounds from boma to boma. About 100 neighbours came running in with their buckets and formed a human chain from the pond to put out the fire.



But for them, the whole flat would have burnt out. In fact, no personal items were destroyed, no-one was hurt and we were overwhelmed by the care of our neighbours.

On Tuesday we went to market and bought a bull, 50 kilos of rice, tomatoes and onions, crates and crates of sodas and today we had a feast to say thank you.

A Muslim was invited in to slaughter the animal in order that neighbours of every faith could eat it, and then the Maasai took over.



The men arrived early to keep an eye on the meat!



Several women came in to help with the cooking.



And when the rice and ‘soupu’ (stew) was finished and the thank yous had been said, the roasted meat was brought out for the elders.



It seemed that this was the bit they had all been waiting for!



Everyone left happy, neighbourly relationships were cemented and our dogs are still licking their lips!

5 comments:

Ron Bailey said...

That's a pretty up-market dog if it wears trainers!! Seriously... this is interesting to see how your need becomes the bridge to the society in which you are living. Valuable lesson for all of us... and glad to hear not too much damage was done.. comparatively... looking at the roof!

John Corcoran said...

Hello Graham and L'isa,
Glad to hear the fire was not a total disaster. As Ron says, it will prove a great link with your neighbours, but not one you would have chosen!
Much love from us,
J&J.

Sandalman and the Milkmaid said...

Yes it has been an overwhelming experience all round. Even the sat phone that disappeared into someone's pocket while the personal items were being rescued has been returned.

cynthia said...

What is the financial cost going to be to repair the roof?

Sandalman and the Milkmaid said...

See what you mean, took his shoes off, although he is a very up market dog, even without them!