We were privileged to see the green, grassy shores of Lake
Basotu. Being the first time we had ever been in this area, we enjoyed sitting
for awhile, watching the villagers flock to the lake's banks.
Much
of daily life here revolves around the lake. Ladies with large bundles of
laundry on their heads make their way to the water’s edge to scrub their
clothes clean, rinsing it thoroughly before stretching it out on the grass to
dry in the sun. Several small boys came
with their mothers, and while mama laundered the family's clothes, the children
splashed and played in the water, creating games and laughing
contagiously. A bit farther down the
shore a small gathering of fishermen waded out into the water, throwing their
nets and then walking a large circle through the shallow waters to gather the
small fish together before pulling them into shore. A few men stood in the
shallows with a bar of soap in hand, preparing to bathe openly in the
sunlight,...which is when we turned our attention the OTHER direction down the
shoreline! That's when we spotted a number of dug-out boats. Upon closer
inspection we could see the boats were the mainstay of several local families. In
the early morning hours (and again in the late afternoon), a father and
possibly his son would set out to fish. Their catch for the day is either eaten
by the family or sold in the market to bring a stable income.
Each of these boats has someone's name painted or carved
into the side, and when Bob was eyeing them intently, one man offered to take
him for a short ride...while the rest of us watched from DRY land. Without seats, centerboard, or keel, one must
sit very steadily, which makes you wonder how they accomplish fishing without
overturning!
We also watched in amazement a boy (perhaps 10-12 years old)
drove his family's small, rough-built wagon right into the lake. The cart carried
large water drums and was pulled by a few oxen. Stopping right in the lake, the
oxen would stand there calmly drinking as the boy jumped into the back wagon
and began scooping bucket after bucket from the lake to quickly fill the
drums. In a short time, the drums were
full. The animals, now content and well-watered, begin the task of pulling the
heavy cart home. This supply should be sufficient for a few days of drinking
water (once purified), washing, cooking, watering animals and gardens.
It was life in Basotu,…moving steadily forward,…the presence
of this lake, with the life in and around it makes it a place of plenty. The animals are healthier here, well-fed and
watered; trees and shrubs are strong and full. Fish and waterfowl are visible
in abundance. What a huge difference this lake makes in the lives of the people
of this region.
