Gods and Spirits (The Dinka Again)

Reviewing community development assignment tasks for Ayuak at the café, 200 worders with the smallest defects of grammar and punctuation. Twenty minutes saw it done, Ayuak grateful for the favour. A tall, stout Dinka man named after his grandfather. Ayuak’s twin had died early and earlier in the year his wife had delivered him twins. Going by the sound, the name might have been rendered Awak, though that was possibly wrong. At mid-point of the correction Ayuak’s friend in the cloth hat and duffle coat arrived, chap by the name of Akoon. A previous nodding acquaintance over the last few months was now properly formalised. Pleased to meet you… A pleasure… Proper care required either side over the names. Two “o”s, – Akoon; single was “female,” or “girl” in Dinka. Akoon with two Os was elephant. Marvellous to hear. There seemed to be some pride in the man divulging, bright eyes flashing. Did they still have elephant men among the Hindus perchance? In the forest areas perhaps where there was the resistance to the loggers and miners. Some further pressing of Akoon. One needed to take one’s chances as they came; there was a certain ease and familiarity in the cafe now, and with the Dinka too. Christian or animist, Mr. Akoon?... Christian the response, looking away. Christian?... Yes, Christian… Well. Ah…OK. But, maybe a little bit—small measure between the thumb and forefinger signalled—animist?... This drew a small, sheepish smile. Nodding. To date it had only been young Bol, named after the twins that had preceded him, who immediately owned the animism. No hesitation in his case; no reservation. Somehow from the outset, from the first meeting, Bol had been confident and unabashed. Akoon was more of a regular at the café; Bol was pounding the books at the university library. When we played out a little more Dinka the introductory steps taken by the man, Mr. Akoon, were interesting. Firstly Akoon began with mach—fire. Akoon accepted the spelling. That was followed by pio for water. Difficult to catch and Akoon spelling. Interesting and suggestive. Indicative one would think. Thank you Akoon. On our side we could do with some more of the elemental surely.