At the end of today’s field trip, I was hanging out on the side of a remote bush road with some of the campers, waiting for our truck to arrive. Some bush hunters were walking around. I had strolled down the path a bit to stretch my legs. When I heard shouting, I looked back and saw that two hunters were in an argument. They were yelling at each other in Mano and using their rifles to shove at one another’s chests. They were right next to my campers, between me and my kids. I was shocked that someone would be so reckless with a gun amidst a group of children. And then one of them men begain twirling and flailing his rusty old rifle around in some sort of demonstration of machismo.
I hollered at my kids to move away, further down the road, but they wouldn’t mind me. There were several adults with them and I realized that I really couldn’t serve any purpose by walking towards the gunfight, so instead I walked away from the fight (you’re welcome, dad), heading down the road behind me where the principal and a few other teachers were. When I saw our truck, I waved them down and explained, with anger in my voice, that there were men with guns fighting each other near the children.
They started laughing at me, saying that it was probably just bush hunters in an argument.
Exactly!! Isn’t it wrong for men to fight recklessly with their guns amidst children??
The men had cooled off and walked away by the time I got back to the kids.
The teasing since has been relentless:
“Haha. Sis Emily, you scared of gun?”
“Sis Emily, why you scared of single barrell rifle? Haha.”
This incident has been quite a startling setback for me. It’s elucidated some of my least favorite aspects of the culture. And mostly, it’s made me feel isolated that my friends here do not have an understanding of how I have viewed this incident through my own cultural context.
I have anger weighing on my chest. I’m angry that this is acceptable to them. I’m angry at a number of things, but can’t quite pinpoint who or what exactly has angered me.
That’s so hard! Especially when you feel like you are adjusting to a different culture…there’s almost an unspoken notion (even just in your head) that others would adapt to you as well.
Can’t wait til you’re back to discuss!
Emily,
Human beings can be frightening can’t they. Let’s see, what is it that casts out fear???? Ah, yes. Love. By the way, you show incredibly good judgement – walking away from the guys pointing guns at each other.
Uncle Tim