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| January 29, 2009 |
From Koukou
Today, at Goz Amir camp, thanks to the amazing Gaele of Hias, all the Oumdas were waiting for us- sitting on a large mat. . Even the head Oumda, Al-Fatih (whom I wrote about in a piece for the WSJ called "No Hopes for Us" ) -- appeared when we arrived. They were SO enthusiastic and after they heard what we are doing they realized it is really THEIR project and so they began making suggestions as to what songs we MUST film, and which people we MUST talk with and which ceremonies we HAVE to hear about. It was just GREAT. Then we scouted out a spot in the shade where there weren't too many kids or animals or the sound of a generator. Oumda Al Fatih himself picked the three men we taped today and he did the translating himself (an honor) We heard in wonderful detail about life in a land of peace and beauty. We heard parables and jokes. We heard about traditions we had not even known to ask about. Tomorrow we will hear the traditional singers - elderly people with AMAZING hats and with drums and a beautiful, crude wooden, two-stringed instrument. I can't wait!!The past several days in Goz Beida were also productive-we averaged 3 good interviews a day. But we had to shhlep around the camp, trying to meet with camp leaders, explaining over and over in each block whom we were looking for. Koukou will be much easier.
At this moment I'm at the UNHCR compound because they have internet. We don't have electricity at Hias. And at least for the next few days, NO WATER. I just took a shower at the Intersos compound as UNHCR is also without water. A day in the camp, sitting in the dirt leaves one longing for a shower.
Its getting dark and I have to get back to Hias.