Somehow all these things happened in 2013

by | Jan 8, 2014 | Stories, W. Africa

maimouna_mali_january

The year began with death. According to Arouna, Maimouna was killed by “cold air.” Whatever happened, it was an inauspicious start to the year.

january_ortm_mali_war

And then Ansar Dine arrived in Konna and France went to war in Mali. During this time, state television station ORTM began a support the troops campaign that ran every 15 minutes or so, with blaring marching band music and images like the one above.

boubacar_traore_the_sheep

Boubacar Traore the sheep was born. Maimouna is irreplaceable, but hey give it up for baby kar kar. He has arrived, and one day he will be an enormous ram, inshallah.

bamako_niger_river_january

I took a lot of boat trips on the Niger in 2013, always with Adama the Bozo piloting the pinasse and with many good people and beverages on board. Floating past the improvised beach of Jamaïque, cranking tunes on 2 speakers hooked up to a car battery, trading beer with people on the river banks (or in the river itself) for other party favors, and always ending up at Djigui Koro, perhaps the best low key bar in Bamako, certainly the best shaded patio with an outdoor pool table. Some of my favorite times.

amanar_concert_sleeping_camel_bamako

Amanar performing at the sleeping camel, part of a multi-artist concert we staged during the state of emergency that was likely one of the best music events you could have experienced in Bamako last year.

amanar_concert_sleeping_camel_bamako2

“Backstage”

mali_adama_khadi

Adama the boatman and his daughter Khadi.

adama_searching_for_mangos_niger_river

Adama hunting for mangos during the hot season.

tuareg_reunion

In February, I ended up in Burkina Faso for FESPACO, the every other year film festival that I previously attended back in 2005 as a sophomore in college. Didn’t take a lot of photos, but was mindful to capture this reunion with Mohamed and Mamayti who I spent time with in Timbuktu during the festival in the desert of 2012. During that time, I stayed with Mamayti’s sister’s family on the edge of town and I found myself in a quatre quatre with Mohamed behind the wheel from Mopti to Timbuktu. Refugees after the rebellion, neither of them have made it back home to this day.

fana

A short trip to Fana during peak hot season. Bintou’s brothers starting their day with Iba One.

yeredon_dance_troupe

I spent a lot of time with Yeredon in the first part of the year and I look forward to more collaboration in 2014. From what I remember, no one was hurt in this photo.

sos_democracy_mali

I also spent a lot of time with SOS Democracy, which later meant more time with Yeredon, who ended up performing several sketches before the presidential and legislative elections in Mali (see here).

bintou_dinner

Lots of pre-furniture dinners in the baco-djicoroni pad.

mohamed_niger_river_shisha

Back on the river. This time with some shisha and Mohamed, the nine fingered former manager of Jet7 (RIP. The club, not the man).

house_work_angre_abidjan

End of June through mid-August was mostly miserable. Too many hours with dishonest real estate brokers who perpetuated absurd speculation on the Abidjan housing market. Somehow we found a place and signed the papers. And then we went to work.

house_work_angre_abidjan2

mongoose

In between demolition and painting, we were able to visit a mongoose farm. Ok, it was more of a chicken farm, but mongooses were present.

house_work_angre_abidjan3

More restaurant work.

resto_birthday

And then we opened. This is a photo of the first birthday party we hosted. A woman had walked in a few days prior, liked the look of the place, and decided it was a good spot for her friend’s birthday. Many of the people in the photo have since become regular customers.

venya_team_picture

On the 31st, with (almost) the whole team. These photos give the impression that we are just one big happy family. Don’t be misled, we have our palabres and disagreements. But we are a family, that is certain. And we have come a long way this year.

venya_team_picture2

venya_team_picture3

All the best in 2014

3 Comments

  1. Malou suskin

    It looks like an amazing year. Bonne année !

    Reply
  2. Benjamin

    Hell of a year Philipe! The Dos Equis guy aint got nothin’ on you……

    Love ya brother!

    Reply
  3. Joe Jamieson

    Hi Phil,

    Thanks for sharing this post – it looks like you had a very eventful year!

    It’s nice to see that after so many years you’re still keen to experience the world.

    It’s often the case that people get the bug, travel for a while and then drop it when it suits.

    Thanks again for sharing, Phil.

    Reply

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