A couple hours ago, I was assigned a random cab at O'Hare and started heading home from another work trip. I listened to a podcast for a while, but then I suddenly noticed a Burkina Faso flag hanging up by the cabbie's windshield (it was labeled, I didn't just recognize the flag! haha). Suddenly, I was thinking about my old cabbie bud, Francis. (Please refer to my blog post - #VoodooAndFufu.)
In light of my delightful chat with Francis, I pulled out my ear buds and asked, "Are you from Burkina Faso?"
Mamadue said, "Yes I am! And you said it perfectly!" Though, gotta say, it's pronounced just like it's spelled.
I commented, "Sorry to say that I had not heard of Burkina Faso until earlier this week when I read about them in the news, some terrorist attack I believe. Then I Googled where it was, so I actually do know where it is now."
Mamadue went on to tell me that Burkina Faso was a wonderful, peaceful country of farmers until oil was found three years. We talked for a while about how one should really keep the finding of oil to oneself, because your country will go to hell in a hand basket. He said Burkina Faso people would actually consider Mamadue an outsider, because his father moved his family to the Ivory Coast, and his accent is now all wrong (I couldn't tell), and Burkina Faso people have a strong sense of national pride. But he said they are very good people, and if I went there, and they liked me, they would all die to protect me (well, ok then!). That is also part of their self-respect and strong sense of pride.
So, as he was saying, his father moved the family to the Ivory Coast, where he was a very successful business man. He was so successful, that Mamadue had four mothers. This is a sign of success in West Africa, and is very different than here (no kidding!). He said he had twenty brothers and eight sisters, and they don't talk about 'half brothers' or 'brothers-in-law', or anything like that - they are all his siblings equally. What is not equal is the first wife and the subsequent wives. The first wife gets the most respect because she's the one that was there to live through the husband going from being poor to being successful. Second wives only come along once a man is successful enough to support more wives. The first wife is the sole beneficiary when a husband dies; nothing goes to other wives or the children.
These 28 siblings of his now live all over the world; he can travel anywhere and stay with family - no hotels for Mamadue! Because they all spoke French, and not English, the top places they live are West Africa, France, and Quebec. Cool!
Oh, and get this, 6'2" Mamadue is the little guy in the family. Yes. his twenty brothers are ALL taller than him! Several are over 7 feet tall. Mamadue's four mammas were all over 6 feet tall! See, the thing is, as many Burkina Faso people believe - tall people are, frankly, better. Short people are always trying to prove themselves, and that makes them show-offs and aggressive. Tall people, contrarily, are humble and peaceful. Mamadue's father taught his children to only involve themselves with tall people to have a successful life. Mamadue's father never did business with short people - and look how successful he was!
Mamadue and his tall wife moved to America several years ago, leaving his older son (short, 6'2") in West Africa to finish high school, and taking is younger son (tall, 6'6") to America. The young son immediately skipped two grades and caught up to the older son. He got straight As and guess what - didn't like basketball. He said he was way too smart to have to play basketball; he could get into any college he wanted by just being smart. The young son is currently working on his PhD in Finance at Stanford. The older son moved here after high school, and is now going to Med School somewhere (I forget where!).
The young son has a nice, tall girlfriend. The older son has no time in med school for dating. In two years, his sons will be finishing up their college educations, and Mamadue and his wife will retire back to the Ivory Coast. The young son, who speaks like President Obama, will stay here (accents really matter). The older son, who speaks like a West African, will come back and be a doctor there on the Ivory Coast.
Mamadue has told his sons all along that they don't have a choice - they must do well in school and get good jobs so they can support their parents in their retirement. They came to America with nothing, and Mamadue is just a cab driver (he laughs) - so they don't have a choice! "In two years we will buy a house in Africa and our sons will send us money every month." Well yeah, he raised some really impressive sons while driving cabs in Chicago for years - he needs a break! Fair deal.
As we departed he said that he was so very glad he got to pick me up at the airport today, that he greatly enjoyed our talk. I definitely was glad too! I cannot stop trying to imagine his giant house in Africa with four super tall mammas and 29 giant children running around! Mamadue said it was the best childhood, and I totally believe him. Stay cool, Mamadue - wishing you a happy retirement and tall grandbabies!
I hope you get to do Cash Cab or Cab Karaoke someday!
How cool that you met another amazing driver. Your conversations are always interesting!
It's great to learn or experience even small pieces of other cultures. I too have had some great conversations with cab drivers. Although I have to admit that I usually want a quiet ride.