I could've danced all night

Today we arrived in Mangamba which is the village we will be staying for the majority of our time here in Cameroon. We are staying in the house that Ruth (the founder of WEH) and her husband built here because it is his home village. It is customary to build a home in your village after you have moved and become successful because that is where you will be buried and it’s important to keep those community ties.  Their home is beautiful and now we’re all moved in! Mosquito nets are up (an adventure in itself), bags are semi-unpacked and we have been welcomed by the neighborhood! All of a sudden my roommates and I heard what sounded like drums… so we go out to the backyard to find a young boy dressed in palm leaves and grasses dancing to the drums being played by other children from the village.  It was so much fun to watch him—and all of his energy!! He would run this way, then run that way, followed by a barrel roll which was made more dramatic by his costume of foliage.

After their performance the men took over drumming and the real party began! People trickled in and the dancing became contagious. Of course, it didn’t take me to get dance fever so after a while, after an older women from the village encouraged me I joined and had an absolute blast!! (My African dance teacher would be so proud!!) I don’t think anyone in our group, including the instructors, got away without shaking their hips—at least a little bit. One of the local women just howled with laughter at the sight of twelve American girls trying to mimic their movements, which was strangely encouraging; “yes, I probably look ridiculous, but I’m trying and you’re having a great time laughing at me, so we’re on the same page!”. I spoke with her later and after a quick lessen she gave me (and my dance moves) her stamp of approval—for not looking like a complete fool I suppose. But in the end, everyone had a wonderful time and I’ve never felt more welcome. (And don’t you worry, there are pictures…on other people’s cameras. I’ll share when I get them!)

Dancing African dance, in Africa? Check that off the Life’s To Do list!!