Visit to the Alkalo

After a short visit as not much to see at the Fort we headed off on route to Sittanunka Camp where we would be staying tonight. The tarmac road ended and we were jostled about on a mud track with water filled pot holes for the next hour and half. We were suddenly within a landscape of lush vegetation, palm and baobab trees, fresh water creeks and the occasional African village, plenty of wildlife egrets and an odd monkey walking along the roadside. As we passed homes small children ran out to greet us shouting ‘Hello’ ‘Hello’ or ‘Toubab’ ‘Toubab’ and ran alongside the vehicles all with smiling happy faces.

We first had to visit the district village chief or ‘alkalo’ to pay our respects, we were asked into his compound and were surrounded by children, we did manage to get some names from them before entering the chiefs house where he gave us a long talk about what his role is within the region. This resulted in Nadia, Emily and Georgia all falling a sleep. When he had finished he asked if we had any questions so Tony asked him how many Hospitals and Schools he had within his district expecting a quick answer not so he went into a long discussion yet again. Finally when this was over on behalf of the group Paul had to give him a vote of thanks as is the custom, and we then set off to leave. It was nearly 3.30pm and we still hadn’t eaten very hungry we gave the children a quick snack of biscuits and an apple.

Village Life