A Celebration of Literacy

We invite you to share the following story with your congregation. It should take no more than 2 minutes to read aloud. You might also wish to include the story in your church newsletter.

The day was overcast, mercifully hiding the ferocity of the sun. I (Lillian Nicolson) sat at the book table and observed the growing crowd. The organizers had hastily set up an overhang of bamboo poles covered with an assortment of tarps and straw mats the day before when they realized they didn’t have enough money to rent a tent. The one hundred and twenty chairs set up under it were reserved for Siamou elders and special visitors. Six old men sat in the front row, dressed identically in long robes of dark blue cloth sporting either bright orange fish or hearts. The youngest to the oldest wore outfits made of this official Siamou celebration cloth. Only the literacy teachers stood out from the crowd in shirts of brilliant pale green.

Vendors lined the edges of the sandy field selling bread, ‘donuts’, bananas, peanuts, cold bissap and ginger drinks in plastic bags. A microphone stood alone in the middle of the large sandy area and off to the side, a group of musicians were beating various drums and three balafons (wooden xylophones), calling the people, “Come! The celebration is starting!”

The master of ceremonies stepped up to the microphone to greet everyone. Several officials spoke and then it was my turn. I stepped up to the microphone and started reading slowly in Siamou, praying that I wouldn’t mangle the language beyond comprehension. My hands were shaking but I ploughed on and said, “This year, Lord willing, we will open literacy centres so the Siamou would be able to learn to read and write in their language.” Applause broke out from the audience. They had understood!

After the speeches the elders were invited to file past the display of Siamou books: a calendar, a learning book, a health book, an agricultural book, four animal/plant books, a riddle book and four fables. Suddenly money and books were thrust in my face. “N calandri bese” (I want a calendar).” “Keeln sebe mi feen?” (Where is the learning book?). The calendars sold out right away and I had to send for more. I could hardly keep up with making change and finding books for people. Finally lunch was served and slowly the crowd calmed down to a trickle of interested people and then we packed up.

We sold 65 000 cfa ($175) worth of books; the equivalent of two months of the highest salary. The book prices ranged from 200 to 800 cfa ($.50 - $2) each; a day’s salary for many. Success encompassed more than just book sales. Several days before the celebration an elder had come to speak out against the sale. When he learned that the project was not financed by white foreigners but rather by the Siamou people themselves, he lost the force of his argument; and the people celebrated their ethnicity.

Lillian Nicolson, works with the Siamou people of Burkina Faso to develop literacy and to translate the Bible into Siamou. This story is part of Equipping #66, May 2006.