Festival Day

(The good news is: I've worked out a short-cut to upload photos on the connection we have - sorry for the delay in this. So, if you're interested, scroll down the page and I've loaded some up where they should have been before.)

This week has been an interesting one in Meskine, as it has marked the end of the period of Ramadan. To celebrate the end of the fast, a colourful and lively festival takes place in the centre of the village, starting with prayers, and ending with a procession of the chief of the village into his palace on horseback. 

I went over to watch: thousands and thousands of people come out - it was an amazing spectacle!

Here's a taste of the sort of costumes that make an appearance: wonderful colours!

In particular, the children receive new clothes and, it seems, a new pair of plastic sunglasses to wear on the day! In the morning it looked like there we had a whole load of miniature Elton Johns walking around the village!

 
The Fulfulde people originally conquered this area of land in the far north of Cameroon on horseback, and so horses were a big part of the day, including mounted charges with spears (you had to watch your back as these came past!):

The day then finishes with a meal and visits to all the family members in the neighbourhood.