Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Sa

05/27/09

A horn blows about fifteen minutes before sunset. Children conclude their games, and farmers wrap up their late afternoon chores. The horn blasts repeat, accompanied by the clanging of a church bell. The streets become deserted. All is quiet. It is time for Sa, prayer time at the end of the day.

During Sa, the streets are lined with white shirted matai. These men police the village to make sure no one is one the road. If you are noisy or caught walking, you are fined. You can often hear hymns and prayers by those who take Sa religiously.

Not all villages observe Sa. My village has Sa every day, including Sunday. Afternoon prayer time is written somewhere in the Bible when you are thank God at the end of the day and praise Him for the new day beginning at sunset.

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