The elephant is the symbol of the losing party so the people were saying the elephants have been sent to the bush. You can see in this photo a mock coffin with the letters NPP on it, the initials of the losing party. White is the color of celebration so you will see white scarves and even white chalk on the faces. The parade went back and forth for quite a while crowding the road so no traffice could get by. When the people saw us, they chanted Obama....There is a sense that oppression has been lifted.
The inauguration will be on January 7! So we'll be here for that as well. The transition is so quick because there were two run-off elections after the main one. This has been an exciting and quite different experience for the people here. So far this election celebration is the highlight of the trip...Of course we have a lot more to go.
I am really enjoying these posts and reading email from group members as well. The trip sounds like it is off to a terrific start -- with the election celebration and a wonderful Sunday of worship. I can hear the talking drum strike up the processional from here (a cold, quiet desk in St. Louis). Please give Eden's love and best to all the hosts -- with special greetings to Seth and his family and Bridget and her family. Enjoy Ho and Peki!
ReplyDeletePeace and cold Fanta!
Deb