AFRICA CAN BE A DANGEROUS PLACE
ASK THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE
Art Kerns
While doing research for my latest novel, The African Contract, I ran across an
entry in one of my travel journals. It recorded a visit to a friend’s village
miles away from the nearest African city. Strolling among the homes, Dingane
introduced me to his relatives and friends, while giving me a history of the
region.
I
asked about health services and he told me they were limited. “Malaria, is the
main illness,” he said. “Then there is dengue and Yellow fever, but there are
other concerns.”
“What
other problems do the people have here” I expected to hear about bandits, rogue
soldiers, or corrupt officials.
Dingane
smiled and gave his hand gesture that meant the answer would not be coming quick
and simple. “Your people travel here to see Africa’s wildlife. You take photos,
enjoy seeing them, and then leave. We are happy you come and enjoy them, but we
must stay and live with them.”
A
group of children ran up and interrupted him. They laughed and wanted to touch
me, the foreign visitor.
When
we were alone again, Dingane continued. “The snakes are always a danger. They
come into our homes, lie in wait on the trails, hang from trees.”
“Cobras
scare me,” I said.
“The
Black Mamba scares us.”
I
remembered speaking with a herpetologist who told me the mamba was the one
snake that scared the shit out of him every time he had to remove it from her
cage and measure it.
