When we returned from our short (1 year) time in Niger, West Africa we brought a lot of bits and pieces with us. They say that once you have been to Africa it gets into your blood and I’d have to agree. Close to ten years later I still have my African pieces hanging up around my house and they are treasured. Each one has a memory attached (I’m a person of layers, hate having things for the sake of it). The hat you see Miss L wearing below is one of those treasures.
Its an original Fulani hat, worn by the Wodaabe of West Africa. The one she is playing with is a smaller version acquired after one of the dorm students at the school we taught at (Sahel Academy) didn’t want it. I have a much bigger one hanging on my wall which we bartered for and paid only around 4000CFA (at the time this equaled about $16AU). We got to meet many Fulani people as well as many of the missionaries who work tirelessly with them. Maybe I’ll share more about the Fulani people in the future. For now, this hat is a playhat for Miss L but I love that it has meaning attached to it.
Why have I never discovered you before??????
I grew up in West Africa, and we lived on the Sahel Academy compound in 83-85 (when it was a Bible School) before moving to Ivory Coast. My sister lived in Perth for a number of years, and it would have been so cool to meet up with you! (But she’s in Hong Kong now.)
I’m sure we know lots of the same people. Great to meet you, Amanda!