This and that

Keita has left for Segou. He stayed longer than the 2 weeks that  I am normally allocated according to  the rules that govern polygamous marriages. This period could  also be two days, if his other wife lived in the same town for instance. The important issue is that he spends as long with his first wife as with me. But this time he spent  almost three weeks here, to my delight- Djenne is much more fun when he is here.

His delayed departure  came about  because this month  he had to present himself to the authorities in order to receive  his salary as a civil servant.  Normally all civil servants are paid monthly into their bank accounts, but this month then government decided to undertake a nationwide ‘control physique’ and every government employee had not only to present themselves in person, they also had to bring their professional certificates and diplomas with them.  The reason for this is that under the ATT administration many civil servants were given their positions simply because of connections without  passing the exams and receiving the required diplomas. Many other civil servants have died, but their bank accounts continue to receive their monthly salaries sometimes years after their death. So some draconian measures are now underway and the whole country is mobilized- a logistical nightmare of course, with hundreds of civil servants queing up for days to have their papers scrutinized, and finally receive  their salaries if all is in order.

So, Keita is now gone and  I am on my own, but not for long:  tonight Birgit arrives! Betty the donkey foal will be pleased, because I know Birgit will as usual lavish lots of care and love on her and brush her daily- Betty  is seen above in the middle in the distance when Kassim went to collect  my little donkey family  on his bicycle last night to put them in their stable.

 

Otherwise life continues in its well worn patterns: the loom in the MaliMali studio needs to be put in order with new warp, a time consuming job here carried out by Niamoy (left) , Maman and Djenneba.

 

 I go and check ‘my' workers on the Djenno Djeno site, clearing the tree surrounds debris now for the forth week. It is a good excuse to go riding in the ravishing country side which has now opened up again as the water has receded after the rainy season.