As you can see I have been doing a lot of baby holding recently. Am not complaining though. The first post was Adama's baby's naming ceremony. Adama and his wife Aminata named their baby Fatoumata. The naming ceremonies go on all day but we went after work in a little convoy. Isatou, the secretary from work was on the back of my bike, Marcus took Eustace, the koranic education officer and Mr Choi took Lamin, the IT officer. The ceremony was in Massembeh, which is just 20 minutes ride from Soma. People have different kinds of naming ceremony. Some have lots of music and dancing. What they call a programme here. Some are low key and have food, drinks and lots of people visiting to greet the baby and the parents. The prayers are said for the baby in the morning and then the visitors come all day.

The baby was passed around and we all got a turn at holding her. Everyone laughed at Marcus when someone passed him the baby and he looked ever so slightly terrified! So their proceeded a baby holding tutorial for Marcus with everyone putting in their two pennith.

The second post is a visit we made to our colleague Seedy's house. We managed to miss his naming ceremony due to a gele breakdown (for a change!) So we visited the next week to see his wife Ndey and the baby boy Fanding. We had lunch and had a constant stream of visitors coming to greet us. I managed to do a bit more Mandinka practice. The kids from the compound were the funniest. Especially the little one at the front,Sarjo. I would smile at her and she would just crack up into hysterical laughter every time. She was so funny! Usually the little ones find us scary and go and hide behind their parents but not this one.

We looked at Seedy's family photos and the kids took great delight in pointing everyone out.

we met Seedy's other children, Nyima, Buba, Fatoumata and Muhammed.

I think my Mandinka is improving and these interaction are definitely helping. Now I can understand what people are saying to me even if I can't always respond. We have started having lessons with Mrs Jawneh in the compound across the road so pretty soon we will be fluent!

The Naming Ceremony

Operation Cream Cake

It was the last thing I was expecting here in Soma on my birthday, a big, fresh cream sponge with pineapple and coconut topping. Its my idea of a good surprise though! The whole operation was orchestrated by Marcus and Mr Choi. They had been in cahoots all week I knew that, huddled in corners whispering to each other. Going quiet when I walked into the room. I arrived home after my workshop to find the partygoers already gathered all eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the cake. Everyone in the compound had a slice and then I got to hear the story of the cake’s journey. All the way from the Kombos on a gele entrusted to the driver for a safe delivery. There had been an real cake organising committee, A lady called Maimuna and her mother and Mr Choi and of course Marcus. So it turned out to be a good birthday. Beer, birthday cake and everyone in the compound sang happy birthday. I had four (household) candles - no, not one for each decade - at least not quite yet!