Living in Cocoons

In Acoliland homes were (and still are) joined by pedestrian paths. So, going to the next village, school, hospital, or wherever, you would walk through the open compounds. That was the physical openness of Acoli life which might also explain the pervasive psychological construct. Contrast that to the Ugandan Indians who built walls around their shop-cum-homes. They would emerge to the store fronts to peddle their wears and retreat inside the walls at closing time. There they remained mysterious unto themselves. No wonder few black Ugandans had any empathy when Amin expelled them.

Now in Acoliland my brothas and sistas are building mansions enclosed in obscene tall walls. I am told one prominent Acoli politician is planning (or has already done so) to erect walls around his 500-acre farm. What is going on? Is it fear? Fear of what? My sista, my brotha, we just want to pass by and say: I rio maber? And also check on whether you still go to the toilet like the rest of us! There is no envy or covetousness. In fact, we celebrate with you on your success. No one wants the junks you have collected in the mansion. Might we ask whether this physical cocooning is also a manifestation of mental and heart cocooning which shows up in rigidity and fear of other points of views?