APPLY
  • Program
  • Admissions
  • Speakers
  • Alumni
  • About Us
APPLY
  • Why Join
  • Experience
  • Apprenticeships
  • South Africa
  • FAQs
  • Admissions
  • Tuition & Aid
  • Eligibility Quiz
  • Request Info
  • Alumni Stories
  • Community Hub
  • Fellowship
  • Academy
  • Our Story
  • Our Impact
  • Our Team
  • News & Press
  • For Educators
  • Donate

Catching the Monkey

Of all the Wolof words and phrases I learned during my one week stay in Leona, the village where I will work and live this year, I can easily identify that which I’ve seen most represented in the Senegalese psyche. “Ndank a ndank,” or little by little, was a constant refrain during my stay. Actually, the complete proverb is “Step by step you catch a monkey in the forest.” Forgive me, but my current Wolof vocabulary renders me unable to translate it to its original Wolof. I’m learning.

My host family applied “ndank a ndank” to my Wolof learning. I expected that. Of course I’ll learn little by little. However, I didn’t expect my host mother to admonish me to walk to the market “ndank a ndank.” Apparently my hurried toubab gait was entirely unacceptable. My host mother emphatically informed me of this, complete with imitation. Now I sigh and walk beside her as we make our way to the market ever so slowly – ndank a ndank.

This theme also arose again as I watched an aunt prepare attaya – the strong, sweet Senegalese tea we drink multiple times per day. She poured the tea between two small glasses for minutes – creating a healthy layer of foam on top. Pouring and pouring. At one point I doubted how much more foam was being created, but the methodical pouring of the attaya continued.

A final expression of the culture of “ndank a ndank” occurred when I asked for a tour of Leona, my village. I asked my host father about this early in the week, and gently reminded him a few times. One day my host mom was too busy to go, then I was sick, and another day it rained. My host dad wasn’t concerned. “You’ll get to know Leona little by little,” he explained. I was honestly a bit miffed, being used to things happening quickly and efficiently – on a Western schedule. Society at home says that waiting is torture – a cause for righteous indignation; “I shouldn’t have to wait!” is the prevailing attitude in the United States. Welcome to Senegal, where it’s perfectly acceptable for life to progress “ndank a ndank.” I’ve concluded that will catch that monkey in the forest, ndank a ndank.

 

Charlotte Benishek

About Charlotte Benishek


Charlotte’s intense curiosity about other countries and cultures has led her all over the world, and her time at the United World College in New Mexico has only intensified her interest in international issues. Charlotte has a passion for spending time in the wilderness and learning about nature, and she is excited to observe the native plant and animal life in her Global Citizen Year placement.

gcy logo
Take Action Lab
  • Why Join
  • Experience
  • Apprenticeships
  • South Africa
  • Take Action Lab FAQs
Academy
  • Why Join
  • Experience
  • Speakers
  • Academy Stories
  • Academy FAQs
Fellowship
  • Why Join
  • Experience
  • Destinations
  • Fellowship Stories
  • Fellowship FAQs
Admissions
  • Admissions
  • Tuition & Aid
  • Gap Year Resources
About Us
  • Our Story
  • Our Impact
  • Our Team
  • News & Press
  • For Educators
  • Community Hub
  • Instructor Hub
  • Careers

1625 Clay Street, Suite 400, Oakland, CA 94612
info@globalcitizenyear.org
415-963-9293

Have Admissions Questions?
Check out our FAQs or email our team at admissions@globalcitizenyear.org

Press Inquiries: Please contact Molly Weissman:
media@globalcitizenyear.org

Privacy Policy

© 2023 - Global Citizen Year