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Washing their hands of doom-and-gloom approaches to rural African life, the people of Lichinga and its surrounding areas drank a toast to their health last Saturday at the Feira de Saude, or Festival of Health.
The events proved the Niassan pulse is throbbing at a lively pace.
It looks like the African renaissance is real and it is sweeping. In fact, in the words of Lucia, one of the local filmmakers, “something like this has never happened before.” Nomba has never been so hopping like it was the day it showed off its good reflexes.
In spite of a sky that looked ready to spit fire and clouds that carried water on their heads, the daily forecast included only the near-2000 people who kicked up their heels and the music in the dust of Nomba’s soccer field.
The A-list included the mayor of Lichinga, multiple NGOs, dance and drama groups, and the main act, Massukos. Even diffusion of innovation showed up when some Americans started a mosh pit in the midst of the crowd. And bobbing in that crowd were four red cameras, each in the hand of one of the Yao filmmakers, who quickly took to filming the constant parade with little hesitation.
While costumes were flashing and hips were gyrating, development organizations draped in UNICEF tents tested 800 people for malaria, who could then sample artemisia lemonade (to prevent malaria) and try out an ecosan toilet. It was a day that took no lip from what prevents good health here and countered by turning out educational skits and good music.
The Festival of Health was one day where the African audience could stand at the feet of its own, those who celebrate where they came from, and give itself a hand. It may be just one day, but no one can discount the value of a healthy sense of pride.
