Kelli and Emma in their brand new Nigerian dresses, along with Granso who did a beautiful job!


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More Sallah photos

The Eid el-Kabir experience was a fun one. I am really enjoying the opportunity to gain even a small appreciation for this rich and beautiful culture.



By the way, I think I need more of these outfits. Kelli identified it as a gare, but I liked the name I found on Wikipedia which is "Grand Boubou" (pronounced Boo Boo).

Anyway, here are some pictures I took at the Palace. As part of the Durbar, the tribal leaders ride up to His Majesty the Lamido, shake traditional weapons in the air and pledge their allegiance.















The guys in red are the Palace Guards. I REALLY want to get me one of those!

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Al Hajji Bature

HERE HE IS!!!


Al Hajji means a man who has made the Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca. Bature means white man. We figured since Alan was a regular temple worker for several years before we came to Nigeria, that he could use the title. Actually, one of our AUN logistics officers in Abuja named Ibrahim Buba gave him the title first. He is standing with two of our guards, Bala (on the left) and Phillip (on the right).

And here he is with Dauda our driver. They are dressed for the Sallah celebration called Eid-El-Kabir which marks the end of the Hajj.


The robe is called a gare and the hat is hula. These guards are Stephen (left) and Friday (right).


Here is Alan with the sleeves unfolded so you can see how big the gare really is. It is a sign of importance and wealth to have these huge sleeves that you constantly have to fold over your shoulders. He is standing with Craig Pearce who is Dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship. Please notice that Craig opted out of wearing the traditional sandals and went for his cowboy boots instead.


We went to the Lamido's Palace for a big celebration called Durbar, where tribal leaders present themselves to the Lamido and they are dressed in their finest. Here are just a few pics, the first is a young prince . . .








Here are some mucky-mucks . . .


We think that this is the Lamido in the blue robe, but it's hard to tell.


Barka de Sallah everyone! (happy Sallah!!)

The Water Balloon Fight and more . . .

We recently said goodbye to one of our guards named Dauda. (Yes - he has the same name as our driver. Dauda is Hausa for David.) Anyway, he got accepted into the police force which is a good step up from University security. So, of course, guard Dauda needed a proper farewell and since Nigerians have never heard of water balloons, I promptly put 2 and 2 together and . . . Wallah! It seemed perfect since Dauda was going to need to be able to defend himself as a policeman - right?

This is the guards trying to figure out what I want them to do.


Now they are starting to get the idea.


They surround Dauda and . . .


Yes!!












We served homemade chocolate chips cookies (hard to make since there is not much chocolate here) and pepsi (a favorite drink.) We did send Dauda off with a gift, but first he had to open it . . .


We miss him already.


And now, for a few more random pics that I just had to share.

It's easy to nap in Yola as long as you have a motorcycle.


Do you need a stroller? No problem!


Want to play Jenga, Nigerian style?


Going to a wedding? It's all about the hat!


This man is wearing a cub scout shirt. With badges!!!


This man appears to be well protected from any rain, but he has an umbrella just in case.


Thanks for reading. I will write again soon. Goodbye from Adamawa State, Nigeria.