Kangoya? Awara awe.


 I have learned a new unit of measure - the "Evian."  It is a plastic bottle previously containing Evian water, now used apparently for the measure and sale of palm wine (kangoya in Sango).  

     An ex-pat housemate and I order up a jeep transport to the center of town.  We swing by the "Evian" seller to buy the requisite empties - I must leave an IOU because small change is in terribly short supply.  The open-air bar/kangoya stand 100 yards further fills our empties at 85 cent (US) each.  While we wait in the car for our driver, children bearing kola nut (goro) offer wares - but no small change!  Maybe next time - I decline the free sample offer.  A gentleman who has perhaps consumed one Evian too many of kangoya effusively offers thanks for our service to his community.  Driver returned with our two Evians of kangoya, we go back to the ex-pat house.  Will the fizzy sweet/sour and lightly alcoholic taste be as I remember?  Can anyone step in the same river twice?

   Peace Corps, long gone from the country, enabled and obliged us to live (mostly) as, and among, our Central African colleagues.  I remember watching those other development (or "cooperation") foreign workers zooming by in chauffered Toyota 4x4 en route to walled compounds, and confess complacent superiority.  Now, I am become them.  

    Kangoya into the fridge (lid loosened to avoid explosive pressure build-up).  First taste - lovely.  Even the Congolese ex-pat housemate considers it acceptable.  Kangoya anzere na yanga ti mo ma!

Comments

  1. Cledus Jeremiah JonesAugust 21, 2022 at 12:27 PM

    once in the compound, it is tough to return to the dirt floor. every now and then my 22yo self looks upon the 50 something with a questioning expression. "i get where he (22) is coming from, he just don't get me" - says i.

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