Harmattan

“Through woods and mountain passes, The winds, like anthems, roll.” -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Ghana is in the midst of, what is now my favorite season, Harmattan. This time of year brings dry, hot days and relatively cool nights. The Harmattan is a dry and dusty West African wind along the Atlantic coast of Africa blowing through December, January, and February. On its passage over the Sahara desert it picks up fine dust particles so the air appears dusty. The dust in the air can limit visibility and block the sun for several days. Fine by me! For the past few nights, I have been chilled to the bone in my sleep and have found myself reaching for, not only my sheet, but my fleece blanket as well. The morning air is crisp, just like a cool October day in Chicago. Unlike the previous few months I have been here, a kind breeze blows through my hair, which, because of the drastically reduced humidity, is actually down! I blew dry and straightened my hair this morning without even a drop of sweat forming on my forehead. Amazing how letting my hair down can bring such joy! Through the afternoon it still gets rather warm, but without the humidity and blazing sun, a walk across campus is much more bearable.

I found this interesting tidbit on Wikipedia: Nigerien folk wisdom claims that men and animals become increasingly irritable when this wind has been blowing persistently. However, the cool wind brings relief from the oppressive heat, which is why the Harmattan has earned the nickname "The Doctor".

In the past few days I have experienced this irritability and heard several students and staff complain that it is too “cold”. These people don’t know real cold. As far as I’m concerned, “The Doctor” can go ahead and stick around for a while. I’m enjoying the remedies being offered.