![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yPjP8YRA1Ni6wH-SBm6a3JhbRiimjs8hv1rxPBUrIcpXbYjFxbhNEvx-LogGKeNtwoSX7Qqlh-UVzxqCkvRWkbd3aXPSnggm8GJ7QLMxNfmxe1qhXJhD3fpEJAqiz8daQrkAh8SOITo/s320/2012+Road+to+Souza+204.jpg) |
The road to Souza |
While we were in Cameroon in February, I finally traveled to "Abo," the region where my mother-in-law was born. Unfortunately we were not in her village in the northern part, but in Souza (Abo-Sud) to visit the cassava crop farm I wrote about in an
earlier post.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ze0rpMEiDZNm75yh-I0SV5AJOPYE-VzRcEfhm2cfk4bvCcqfKy0BSMsy9negIcP1gDOTJSTLG-fkEFYqcTK2rbbC4q55E9zv7fu9Q8_tMzsD63bkyE1EPshj6mBUtxs3iy-U_yh0gD4/s200/2012+Souza+Behle+208.jpg) |
Sita Behle |
In Souza, we met Sita* Behle, who welcomed us with a big smile. Not knowing visitors were coming, she had not dressed up or anything, but that was the least of her worries! When I asked if I could take her picture, she readily agreed.
By the time we finished visiting the cassava crop farm, it was incredibly hot, and it was lunchtime.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiR6XZskVHjH5j3Vc3MvflSf9K9IGTTpbfyJyb2FzGKTwPuplPI8vJqg_birmj50hdEE0UifPQr47RFcq9DJ9gGCzkXBm06QUBC742qss7xOC8DlOLC3o4DVo0GeA3x6pjzDRStgeY0M/s200/2012+SouzaGreenHome+211.jpg) |
Souza's "green house" |
Sita Behle's house is the original "green" house--the exterior wall is covered with greenery, an unexpected sight. I was standing outside and realized that everyone else in my travel group (5 people in all) had entered the house, so I followed them inside.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rqXIf3lHDkxvRcuM0IaN2Pglpxcywi3mACrCtMjGjS0Hud1rnS93-7_yu0rDcX09nSJu-P1iFpepMM_fBlIs6JicwzPNDkpLeEnw7A9tysotK5KRNogjtTwK6thAIDFMEwVoFZxclgA/s200/2012+SouzaPalmNuts+263.jpg) |
Palm nuts |
Sita was in her kitchen, a traditional Cameroonian kitchen. The village doesn't have running water, not to mention electricity, stoves or refrigerators. I asked her, in Duala, which most Abo (Bankon) people speak, what was she cooking? She told me "Fufu--do you want some?" To which I answered, yes, most certainly, and we all ended up at her dining room table, eating freshly ground fufu (made from cassava), with a palm nut sauce with bits of dried fish in it. Palm wine was also brought, which helped the good mood even further.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkhDKJvZsCNB9PTZn2dowWsslYoOIkuH0aebniKFXyDRIuOFO5NJy78hgM-inLyS3BTqbYMefzzJk6GMYpeNqKll6lEtMtW0rJkrytjFr1XxFTSA0MQLcNgp3ttf0rSk40TQvoJ90aug/s200/2012+Souza+Lunch+426.jpg) |
At the lunch table |
Sita sat with her husband of many years; they were joking and teasing each other. When we asked them since how many years they had been married, they laughed and said they couldn't recall!
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Traditional kitchen |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6KBUuLqnUoGicx-Mr2y1vRyviHyfsniQx1kPBQ2B4G6SZinCkDviZBFLbu7P78rsgHi3fCE0zTfOmnMAD8w2-V2UI8Pd60Zz7aegd7bmVaRgr7bPOBCC3onMVArsL1q3Fbk5c7u9UGE/s320/2012+Souza+Fufu+267.jpg) |
Fufu with yellow palm nut sauce |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFRxVunhJbxuH-27CvX1X5GjXop8xYLJg50kjuifaE1w15EfK6jN-GEhVyD9sQ9RQo16J8Avsv0B0eskQGoYTC3gkkZJ84QMraf5MRO6CiqEVum8yfWFbGn8vzrvuXrzgKmtq4A4N84c/s320/2012+SouzaCassava224.jpg) |
Young cassava plant |
We left their home, not only satiated but happy from the good cheer and the pride we encountered.
*"Sita" is derived from the English word "Sister" and is a respectful and familiar way to address a woman.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp9fCbMn2xWqr88B9g6YuJfmyM0TZuCosGPXjI4JdC_9uDriPu1ReBXaAd7ApOgXrdsCL8aS7uOxC95oidoU-aWy1VmJB1yPn0tZWdDuK4JKZFyj4ngp3BcZR8MR4fofSCqHyz-GSWFQ/s320/2012+Souza+PalmWine+268.jpg) |
Palm wine being poured |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGdoXH5Jr7kH3SbK7-Iwq6jaeeNtTwMHkm5WBpiazDJyCsiDWxAPjHI1eEhJBCLQOqdo1PSADkLDE3ckYWMYOQ-qVinPsmxhWuyEd3S5rhXVJPUbVjwaVusAsivgeC87WydwC9q0V0ws/s320/SitaBehle+New.jpg) |
Sita Behle after visit, in new outfit |
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