Palm Sunday is such a festive day here in the Lawra churches! It was quite obvious even as I drove my motorcycle to Kalsagri. Plenty of people were walking to their place of worship. The all had palm branches or other types of leaves and flowers in their hands. They were dressed in their best. There was a sense of celebration in the air, almost as if everyone was going to a party!
Almost everyone wove their palm leaves into something. Each one was different, there were so many beautiful designs. And, when giving the sermon, audience participation was encouraged with the waving of the palms, shouting, " “Hozaana! A soba na naŋ Waana a Daana yuori eŋɛ nyɛ la maaloo; A Izerayɛl Naa!” After the sermon, we sang, "Hozanna!" and walked down the road and back as we sang and waved our palm branches. People love this day.
Later on in the day, I celebrated Kataali's 9th birthday with her parents, Dora and Razak. We went to a local spot (a place to buy drinks and sometimes even food), Matron's, to drink Malta (a Ghanaian non-alcoholic malt beverage) and eat chicken. Kataali loved being able to eat out, something that is only done a few times a year. I gave Kataali her gift, which she was very happy to receive. After the chicken was eaten, Razak asked for a sachet of water. (Drinking water is sold in plastic sachets.) He bit off the corner and then proceeded to squirt his daughter - to "pond" her. It is something that Ghanaians do on your birthday, you get ponded, in other words, people throw water on you!
Palm Sunday was a very festive day this year. People celebrated. People enjoyed the day. They loved those who were with them. Happiness could be felt. It is all because of what Jesus did for us! “Hozaana! A soba na naŋ Waana a Daana yuori eŋɛ nyɛ la maaloo; A Izerayɛl Naa!”
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