Africa Stories

The dugout canoes were overloaded as they were paddled up the Niger River by the two guides. The freeboard of the canoes was minimal. They weren’t meant to hold three Americans. I was the heaviest and rode with one guide while two of my daughters rode with the other. I was preoccupied with the thought that I was nuts and we were in over our heads. We were being taken to a place where we could watch hippopotami in the wild...

My papa diedMy mama diedWere carried offBy men in whiteScary men with masksI don't feel wellBut I must dwellIn dust and dirtA lonely hellThey see, but no-one asks They will not aidThey are afraidThat I'm the oneTo seal their fateWith sickness they all fearI think they careBut they don't dareTo pick me upAnd bring me thereWhere medicine is near I hear them sayJust let him stayHe'll bring diseaseKeep him awayAway from those...

"Woman want baby. Woman want JuJu.” “What?” “JuJu. It’s magic. African magic, white or black.” “I don’t want black magic, Tutu.” Tutu smiled. “Here,” she said. “Have this.” Tutu gave me a tiny carved figurine; she explained how the women of Ghana use ones just like it to help with fertility. They carry their wooden doll at all times, usually hidden under clothing so only a spirit's eyes can see it. Then hopefully, an anci...

A father toiling beneath a sky of gruesome darkness  Merciless sun on his back, a storm in his heart. A mother burying her child with dignified acquiescence, Body too beat-down to spare more than a single tear.  A child marching with a village song in his heart Cold comfort found in a loaded carbine on his back. A country raped, blood seeping from her every pore, A land at war, a land of dearth, a people dying to survive....

The fat evangelist stuttered when he talked, but he sang when he preached-ah. He sang-ah the sin-ah out of the sinners heart-ah. He sang wallets out of purses and back pockets. He sang deep emotions out of my soul and tears out of my eyes. I loved to hear Alvin Smith preach.Like the Old Testament priest Eli, Alvin Smith got heavy off the offerings of God's people. His wife and his children were also very large people.The...