REFLECTIONS ON WATER

A few years ago I was privileged to visit Ethiopia on an aid mission. Flying into Addis Ababba one is awed by the sheer scale of the mountains and valleys of the Rift Valley fault. In places a small plane flies below the tops of the peaks with the rivers 3000 metres below,

We spent several weeks in the highlands in Gojam province where farmers still till the land with wooden ploughs and oxen. At midday we were invited and welcomed ionto a darkened peasant house where I experienced a simple act of welcome.

Before the meal was served, we cupped our hands while our hostess, dressed in an immaculate white robe dress, poured water through our fingers and hands at the same time catching every drop in a brass basin. Traditionally, meals based on bread called 'injura' and spiced meat, are eaten with the fingers by rolling the savoury within the bread. Conversation is usually lively and centred on family and the rains but never politics while the communist government was in power.

I marvelled at their generosity in allowing us to use their precious water. The younger girls of the family would have had to walk several kilometres (longer in drought time) down a winding path to a river or spring so many metres below. Water was carried in earthen pots or plastic containers, usually on their heads or shoulders. The energy and time taken to do this task was immense. Without a doubt, sometimes a spill would have needed a tearful return trip. So every cupful would be saved for other uses such as the vegetable garden.

Water is valued in Ethiopia not only because the annual rains are nororiously fickle but also because of the human effort taken to collect it. In Australia we are freed from this chore, but if we had to carry the amount of water we use daily, I am sure we would place more value on this most precious gift.

Peter Mears of the Cathedral Environment Group
– reprinted from the Anglican Parish newsletter
5/2/2006