L' Djembefola Hat

[Waraba]

Africans become elated when they see outsiders wearing their traditional clothing.

[rachelnguyen]

That is true, waraba. I have completely lost my inhibitions about wearing African clothes, no matter how silly I look in them. Now I will even wear them here in the united states. At church, for example, it isn't completely unheard of for me to show up on Easter or pentecost wearing a boubou.
(sadly, I have to admit that yes, I am THAT woman!)

In Mali, when I wear traditional clothes, the most common reaction is to tell me how beautiful I look. I certainly don't mind that in the least, even though the Malian women look so much MORE beautiful that me, lol!

[michi]

I certainly don't mind that in the least, even though the Malian women look so much MORE beautiful that me, lol!

I walk around in African clothes too. Not all the time, just when I see one of those shirts and think "Oh yes, I like that shirt, might as well wear it." Occasionally, I get strange looks. On other occasions, people who don't know me from a bar of soap approach me and ask "Hey, where is that shirt from, that's really different."

Those Malian women do indeed look cool with those spectacular fabrics one them!

That reminds me of an evening in Bamako when Matche took me out to a pub crawl. We went to several places, ending up at one place with a Bamako band who had the best tama player I've ever heard in my life. Mind-blowing…

There were a lot of absolutely spectacularly looking women around. One walked past our table, and I sort of looked at her in appreciation as she walked past. (No, I didn't drool, but I think my jaw dropped just a little bit…)

Matche saw my expression and asked me whether I would like to have a closer look and explained that he would be happy to arrange that. I politely declined, saying that I like to look, but I don't have to touch…

Michi.

[Waraba]

Michi, that reminds me of another funny story, but before I tell you that story, I have to tell you this one:

An African-style band came to my elementary school where I teach to give a performance; I went home at lunch to change into Malian clothes and grab my djembe, which was in a large duffel bag. On my way back to school, I stopped for coffee, and carried that in with me along with the drum over my back. Later, a fellow teacher told me one of her students approached her in a state of high excitement, saying, "Mr. Young is in trouble! Mr. Young is in trouble!" When she asked why, the girl said: "He came in late to work, he was so late, he was still in his pajamas, and had to carry his coffee with him; he was carrying all his things in a bag!"

[michi]

Michi, that reminds me of another funny story, but before I tell you that story, I have to tell you this one:

Love it!

What's the second story?

Michi.

[rachelnguyen]

Still in his pajamas!!! That is so funny!