By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

Drink and Be Happy

Kabi-kyerewase: (pronounced kabi-chi-ray-wa-see) is the name of an exceptionally strong local drink brewed from palm wine. Asked what the meaning of the name is, my guide said, “Kabi-kyerewase” means mother-in-law. Literally, if you drink that kind of gin, it makes you so drunk that your are not afraid to talk to your mother-in-law. The feared role of a mother-in-law seems universal.

Queen of Sheba

A group of RENEW team were sent by the Bishop to Kintampo (RENEW is a movement trying to search for new ways of doing mission). They were Fr. Paul Yeboah, Mr. David Effah and Mrs. Rose Tetteh, a lay woman, who for some reason I do not know, was dressed like a queen. Fr. Paul did the introduction. “I am Fr. Paul and this is our catechist Mr. David Effah popularly known as ‘King David’ and this - “The Queen Sheba,” I interrupted before he could mention the name of Rose Tetteh. Whether flattered or simply shocked, Rose just did not know what to say.

Learning the Sign

I was sprinkling with holy water the congregation in Portor village one Sunday Mass. As a practice they make a sign of the cross while being sprinkled. Trying to imitate his older brother making the sign of the cross, one child raised his right hand fully stretched and like a smart soldier, touched his left shoulder, then to his right ear then his forehead then back to his left shoulder. He almost fought fist to fist against his brother who made fun of him.

Snake on the Loose

After my mass in Apesika, a group of children were running after a pig, shouting, “Preko owuo!” The snake is devouring a pig is what I understood. Running to my car, I got my bolo and rushed to the scene asking, “Where is the snake!? Where is the snake!?” to my dismay the children were laughing. “What snake?” “I thought you said the snake is killing a pig?” “No Father, they are going to kill the pig,” clarified one of the bystanders. “Owuo” can either mean “snake” or to kill” depending on how it is pronounced, which made me realize later, how on earth could a snake devour a pig ... unless it’s an Anaconda?