Labour Day Parade

“We have to be there by 8 am” Dave says.  I chuckle.  “As if anyone is going to show up by 8 am.  This is Africa remember.”   But we always talk of leading by example, yada yada…  So, we agree to be there by 8:30.  We need to drop off by Hope’s office on the way so that I can pick up my phone and Dave, our resident techie, can start a download.  We get to North West Farmers Organization (NOWEFOR) where Dave works, about 8:45. 

It is May 1^st, Labour Day, and NOWEFOR is marching in the big parade. 

There are a few people around when we arrive – maybe ½ or so.  So we settle down around the big table.  Dave strikes up a conversation with two Peace Corps guys and I start reading the “Farmers’ Voice”.   People drift in.  Shortly after 9, one of the workers suggests it is time to go.  We all move outside for the ‘group picture’.  There are probably a dozen of us by this time.  There are whispers that we should get going – it is almost 9:30 and the parade starts at 10.  But we wait around.  The coordinator has finally arrived but we are still waiting for … something.

About 10, the big NOWEFOR 7 ton truck pulls up.  They are going to transport us to the main road where the parade is to take place.  I have a bit of a challenge and some help from a couple of farmers to climb up the back of this truck and it is only after we set off that I realize that all the other women has disappeared and I am the only female there.  We rock and roll to the top of Commercial Avenue.  Now, I have to get off the truck.   Thank God Dave was there to catch me. 

As a group, we walk about down to where chalk markings on the road indicate this is our organizations meeting point.  We gather and start waiting… a few more people arrive including the women.  The sun is getting hot.  The sunscreen comes out (this strange thing that white folk do).  Dave tells me I am getting a burn where my hair is parted (I was wearing a visor).  After a while, we join a gang from our group which is sitting on the steps of a building across the street where there is shade. 

It is wonderful to watch all the people.  Labour Day is a big occasion in Bemenda.  Businesses and organizations by the hundreds come, each in special dress – ours was a black bottoms and a green t-shirt with NOWEFOR’s name and logo on it.  But other organizations go all out, having fabric made in bright colours with their company names on them.  Then men and women alike go and have special outfits made – fancy dresses for the women, suits for the men.  Among the throng of people, vendors come and go – selling ice cream, ground nuts, drinks, tissues,  sun glasses, even toilet paper.

This was supposed to start at 10, but it is now near 11 and one of the workers call us back for a ‘group picture’.  Our number has grown quite a bit.  I guess people who were there last year knew better and just joined at the meeting point.  We go to the shade. 

Nearing 12, Dave notices some movement - the parade has started and groups have already been marching past the grandstand.  As each group prepares to march, the people hiding in the shade swell the crowd.  It is a mass of colours and cheer. 

 Finally, we are off.  The coordinator struggles to get us lined up in three columns, with two banners announcing who we are.   Some farmers are carrying small plantain trees and palms.   We start moving down the street and I realize that the group has actually started marching in step.  We approach the grandstand, the loud speaker announces us and explains who we are.  A row of officials applauds and… and its over.  Except of course for the (you guessed it) group picture.

Dave and I are grateful to hear that NOWEFOR is putting on food and drink for the marchers.   We all troop off to a nearby pub where after a few speeches (including a short one from Dave who was asked how he found the march), we eat and drink.  Every one is hot and tired but the mood is jovial.  In the end there were more than 35 of us proudly promoting a good organization.   A14:00, we can already say:  “This was a good day!”