Beads in DC 07 Nov 2015
Peace Baba (real name Oumar Touré) is the most famous bead person in Mali
His nickname comes from the fact that he used, for more than 20 years, to take care of PC volunteers in Mopti Region, whose 'vacation house' was right next to his shop.
Things have changed for the better.
First, the incredibly unhygienic 'vacation house' full of unwashed clothing and sweaty sleeping bags that were used by any and all PC visitors, has gone. Now PC volunteers wash more often, share sleeping bags less often, and hygiene rules OK ! Certainly the hygienic levels of Mopti have risen with the closing of that house, fun though it was.
Second: Peace Corps Baba has moved from his small store on the island that is Mopti town, to a larger store in Sevaré, the next two beside the main paved Great North Road : where he has a museum of beads and crafts upstairs, and a fantastic bead shop downstairs.
Peace Corps Baba (Baba - Father) is a great man with a magnetic personnality and communicatable English. His beads are SO WORTH WHILE (and such good value)
Some Malian beads are 5000 years old. Some were made when Jesus Christ was alive. Some are made from the bones of fish or the nuts of trees. Some are médiéval multi-colored glass trade beads made in Venice 500 or 600 years ago. Some are modern. All are beautiful.
I thoroughly recommend Friends of Mali to take up this invitation and to arrange a few cars to travel to D,C filled with "bead hunters" - you will meet plenty of other Malian friends when you get there!
What would any mother or best friend love more as a Christmas gift, than a Malian bead necklace?
Happy hunting !
very best wishes to you all
Macky TALL
aka Robn Poulton
VFoM Vice-President (sitting in the lounge at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, having just flow into chilly France from lovely, warm Africa.
From: Hilary Whittaker <hilar...@aol.com>Subject: Fwd: Peace Corps Baba's beads and bagDate: 29 octobre 2015 00:56:17 UTC-04:00To: chip....@gmail.com, bpri...@gmail.com, jlob...@juno.com, wbens...@aol.com, ged...@verizon.net, Andiam...@aol.com, Danmarg...@earthlink.net, elaine...@verizon.net, AnnL...@aol.com, barbar...@verizon.net, she...@sheilajmiller.com, Franci...@montgomerycollege.edu, paula....@verizon.net, pays...@si.edu, rpou...@comcast.net, Charles...@usdoj.gov
Here's news of interest if you missed Baba in DC last summer. Karen is a marvelous hostess. You'll enjoy this - HilaryFrom: Karen Mulhauser <kmulh...@consultingwomen.com>
To: Karen Mulhauser <kmulh...@consultingwomen.com>
Sent: Wed, Oct 28, 2015 3:58 pm
Subject: Peace Corps Baba's beads and bags
Some of you were not able to come to my home in August when Peace Corps Baba was in DC. Now you have another chance to come by and buy. Baba has sent me a box of beads and just today he sent a box of leather and mud-cloth bags that are ridiculously affordable.Saturday, November 711:30 am to 6:30 pmMy home – 319 7th Street, NE, WDC
Baba with his daughter in my homeI know this is a busy time of year, so am offering a wide window. If you come on the early side, there will be homemade scones. If you come on the later side, there will be wine a cheese and other snacks. And throughout there will be good company and amazing products from Mali.Remember, Peace Corps Baba hires several families to help him make the beaded jewelry, so when we buy for ourselves and for the holidays, we are helping dozens of families in Mali.Please let me know if you plan to come and if you’ll be on the scones or cheese-and- crackers end of the day. Wine throughout. If you come, please bring cash or a check or a serious IOKaren commitment. Also if you simply cannot come on the 7th but you are interested, please let me know.KarenMulhauserMULHAUSER AND ASSOCIATESManagement and Public Affairs319 7th Street, NEWashington, DC 20002