Sounds, phrases and conversations that will forever remind me of Sierra Leone
on Shona in Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone), 23/Jul/2011 09:02, 34 days ago
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(Apologies to any Saloneans for the spelling of Krio words and phrases)1)“Ow di bodi?” “Di bodi fine, ow yusef?” “I tell God tenki”2)“Aaaaaayyyyyy!” (an exclamation)3)“Ebo!” (another exclamation)4)“Plaintain chips chips”5)“Col wata day wata day” (cold water there, said by the little kids who carry bags of water to sell in a bucket on their heads)6)“Aba-daba-daba-daba-deen” (said by the ‘prentice in poda podas heading in the direction of Aberdeen)7)“Can I have one more Star please?” (said by Fred)8)“TFC?” “Yes” “OPD?” “Yes” “BBC?” “No” (a conversation I had with Sarah from Cap Anamur)9)“Sheena Sheena” (what the little kids down our alley call me)10)“Sowa sowa sowa lay” (the words to the ever present and popular song Waka Waka Baby).11) The extremely distinctive sound of our gate opening and closing.12) Beep beep (car horns tooting constantly).13) The dogs howling at night.14)“I no chook you” (I’m not going to inject you with anything, said by me to try to stop children crying so I can examine them)15)“I go beat you” (I’m going to beat you up, said by the nurses to try to stop the children crying so I can examine them)16) The“Gregorian chant” (as Becky calls it) music in Mamba Point.17) The lilting sounds of the mocks (the mosque) near our house.18) The wailing of the mothers outside ER and ICU when their child has died.19) The beautiful sound of the Atlantic Ocean waves on the beach.20) Hissssssssssssssssss/Tssss Tsss (used to attract people’s attention)21) The so loud it’s sometimes scary thunder and massive downpours of rain that accompany it22)“Oputo oputo” (white person – often shouted as I walk past)23)“White girl” (ditto)
