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22Photos by Steve C. (top to bottom): photo1: stilt-walker soliciting donations from vehicles passing through the town of Maleine Niani; photos 2/3: Campement Wassadou, along the Gambia River; photos 4/5: baboons and crocodiles along the road in Niokola Koba National Park; photos 6/7: crossing the Gambia River through the village of Mako; photo8: the Catholic Chapel in the Bedick village of Angel from our camping perch above the village; photos 9/10: groups of children from the village come to visit; photos 11-15: scenes in the village; photo16: inside the village school; photos 17/18: hike into chimpanzee range, including a nest in the trees; photos 19-21: visit with potter/blacksmith Samuel; photo22: an elder hunter from Angel, dressed as if he'd stepped out of the 18th century.
While our excursion into southeast Senegal progressed by fits and starts, the trip was laced with charmed moments: baboon encounters in Niokolo Koba; children swimming in the Gambia River outside Mako; our warm welcome into the village of Bedick village of Angel; attending Christmas Mass in Iwol; visits by the children of Angel, who sang, and danced, and demonstrated their prowess with a slingshot; the many chats with Emil and his friends about Bedick history and culture; our hike into a neighboring chimpanzee range; a visit with potter and blacksmith Samuel, who demonstrated his skills for us; etc.
Most of these moments were captured on video, linked below.
Steve and I would like to express our appreciation to the following individuals and groups: Foremost, to Emil Kante, the young 24-year old village health aide, for his endless generosity during our stay, and patience with these two foreigners (who insisted on pitching their strange igloo-like tents outside the compound of the village). To Abdul, our language/cultural interpreter, for his patience, stamina, and willingness to put in some extraordinarily long days. To the children of Angel, who joined us at sunrise, and stayed until their parents called them home in the evening; their warmth, curiosity, and love of play lent a very sweet tone to our stay in Angel. To the village generally, who accepted our presence with warmth and good humor.
Video
Audio
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