Africa Vision 44

Africa Vision 44

January 28, 2008

Boubous in Dougia.

Dusty lanes with happy kids playing football. A quiet forest and then the Chari River flowing majestically towards Lake Chad. It is the same river that passes through N’Djamena upstream. He area is known for hunting, fishing and artisan work. I think I am here on the right day to see the market, as it is a Monday. Dougia is a resort Chadian style with Fawlty Tower like service. But why worry when there are peacocks and boubous around?

The boubous are blue buttocks langur like monkeys. Observing them reminds me much of humans. After all in every group of humans there are some loud mouths crying for attention. With posturing and screeches the attention of the leader is asked. Seeking his acknowledgement is what it is about. Submissive behavior a plenty and so is the flea-ing or grooming. After a conflict or to avoid one huge amounts of time are spent grooming one and other.

I can see within the colony carbon copies of our world leaders and regional leaders. Too bad it is an insult to the friendly monkeys. They at least live in a more or less peaceful harmony without mass destruction. They even deal with the naked ape very well. When humans come with their flashlights and cameras they pose as professional photo models for the cameras. Be it one or twenty. The nuts are happily munched and a swim in the pool is demonstrated when the people are really nice.

This Dougia is a really calm place. The peacocks have taken driving lessons and are now qualified to ride a motorbike. Although the male peacock still has some problems keeping his feathered tail out of the wheel.

So as the scenery shows its tranquility the mind gets to ponder. Even the 20 hunters cannot disturb the soothing scene. Why do I like Africa so much? What part of my skills and knowledge will I be able to sell so I remain free to write, travel, work, do lecture tours, teach, film, network and treat patients?

I shall have to convince the people that I am made for teaching public health and infectious disease in Africa. And that by developing curricula for those topics at the Universities in Chad and South Sudan a sustainable change is made. As I walked around the medical faculty in N’Djamena one day later I realized once again how tough it is to teach and learn in such a deprived area. The next entry may touch that reality and describe the things I am planning to do over the next couple of months in Chad, the USA and hopefully South Sudan. Until then remember that the monkeys and peacocks showed the way. Live your life in bliss. Play and be. Fool your fellow humans in an affectionate way. Indulge them with photo-ops


Namaskar,

Ashis