Slogans, shopkeepers and comedy
on Freetown Blog (Sierra Leone), 01/Nov/2009 10:06, 34 days ago
The minibus taxis that ply the streets of Freetown invariably have slogans painted on their body work. They can vary from the positive :“ We Are All Blessed”, to the unsettling:“My business is washed in the blood of Jesus”. Some slogans assume people know their Bibles pretty well - I saw one yesterday that said“1 John 3v10”. But not all of them are religious; there is one that I have read about, and am looking out for, which declares :“Still with my paddle, nevertheless”!Although Christian culture is very visible, there are also many Moslems here. Last night, as I was walking back to the house along the back lane, I stopped at a shop to buy some oranges (think small tin shack with open front). As I approached , I saw the shop-keeper standing inside with his back tome, looking at the shelves of provisions. “Hello”, I said, to attract his attention. But he ignored me and I realised he was talking quietly to himself. Then he knelt down on what I suddenly realised was a prayer mat, so I moved away. But I did really want some oranges, so I waited until he hadfinished and went back. When I apologised for disturbing his prayers, he flashed a smile at me and said “No problem, brother”.It seems to me that religious beliefs here are generally held with a fair degree of tolerance and humour. Yesterday, I went to some auditions for the national cultural festival, which takes place at the end of November. There were a very wide range of acts – from traditional dance and plays, to sketches and stand-up comedy. One of the comedians told a joke that was linked to the words of the Lords Prayer. Unfortunately, I can only pick out the odd word in Krio, so didn’t understand it. However, judging from the gusts of laughter that shook the hall, it was side-splittingly hilarious for the large and varied audience.