Wednesday, June 11, 2014

AFRICA CAN BE A DANGEROUS PLACE

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.