A I approached my friend’s house, I heard a young child repeatedly shout, “White man, moro!”

The adults and older children nearby were snickering quietly.

“What did he say?” I asked my friends.

“White Man, moro,” they replied.

“But, what does it mean?” I pressed. I am accustomed to being called “white man” instead of “meri” or woman—gender is not important to clarify in our language—but moro?

It means “not sharp,” like a broken-off tree stump. I pointed to the neatly cut-off end of my walking stick and called out to the children, “Like this?” but they were too busy having fun to reply.

I am not exactly sure what it means to be a “white man, not sharp.” But, I am happy to be walking and paddling around our villages with only the help of my walking stick or paddle.

Look for more adventures of “white man, moro” (aka Keren) in upcoming issues.

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