Dogon Humor

When I was eight years old, I made my entire family laugh at a joke I made one Sunday around the dinner table. The joke I have long forgotten but I remember my oldest sister Annie remarking affectionately “oh…Chris’s first Sunday funny”. I felt a certain pride and acceptance at that moment.
Well, the other day at the small village market I successfully delivered my first joke in Dogon. Sure, I’ve made people in my village laugh before, but not exactly on purpose. Like the time I told someone that they were a certain part of the male anatomy rather than asking them what they were selling, or the first time my neighbor saw me without my shirt on (that was kind of a blow to my confidence). However, this time I thought out the joke, executed and got a laugh. Laughter is many things. On this occasion, it helped me feel accepted here.

So if you’re wondering, here’s the joke:

Old man (OM) : Nemben, yala!
Me : Uh huh, njo?
OM : N taga sala. Taga biyeloun.
Me : Kegebe, nko moju. a taga biyeloun?
OM : Aiyo. A ndo taga oso!
Me : Ah… Amba taga sien o!
(Laugher ensues)

Pretty funny, right?