Almou’s father, a great man of many talents and great wisdom, has passed away about a year and a half ago. Professor, researcher and writer working in Africa and Europe was the center of the family loved and respected by everyone. And as much as his passing away did not come as a great surprise as he was suffering from his illness for quite some time it was a very painful moment for every member of the family, especially all of his sons and daughters.
It was on our return from Teberemt – the village he chose the site for, built and presided over – to Gossi where Mama, his youngest son, chose to take me to the shores of “Mare de Gossi” or Gossi’s lake to share some of his most intimate feelings and thoughts related to his father with me. Something he shared only with selected members of the family. As you see I’m also a part of the family. It was Almou’s father that, upon my first visit to the village of Teberemt, declared us – Almou and me – brothers. And it was from that moment on that I was regarded as a member of Al Ansar family. With the right to be called Marko Ag Mohamed.
So there we were sitting on the shores of Mare de Gossi with Mama enjoying the beautiful sunset over the lake when he started reading his beautiful poems full of most intimate thoughts and utter respect for the great man with me. Very private moments of remembrance and reflections over his life, influence and achievements. Afterwards we simply continued to sit in silence, enjoy the view and contemplate our thoughts. And were brought back to reality and present time by arrival of bunch of playful kids.