105. Bombax Tree Memento

105.

From the martyr's grave, we go to a formal ceremony in one of the larger huts where we are treated to the special welcoming foods for guests to taste: salt, cola-nut and palm wine.

Then, while the men begin their more serious talks, I am free to wander about— trailing most of the children of the village—some naked, some with only parts of a tee shirt and some in ragged shorts. It seems to me that only these children and I are free people. We have little to lose or gain and there are few rules to our game.

There are several gigantic bombax trees growing in the otherwise bare-earth cleared village. I am told these trees were planted long ago to commemorate some treaty or special event for these pre-literate jungle folk. As long as the tree lives, the event will be remembered. I suppose they will plant a bombax tree on the upstart's grave some day soon.