I understand that anthropologists have come across some tribes that consider the moon more important than the sun. Their logic is that the moon comes out at night, when it's dark.... whereas the sun is out during the day, when it's light anyway!

For those of us who lived without electricity in Togo, the moon certainly took on a special significance. Here in the States, I'm pretty much oblivious to the phases of the moon. But in Togo, there was a dramatic difference between a full moon night and a new moon night. The moon transformed the landscape: it was so bright, one could almost read by it. (I remember trying one night: I actually was able to read a few words in a Newsweek.)

Everyone was more active on the night of a full moon. You could hear children shouting in play well past their normal bedtimes. These nights were a great time to go for a stroll, when the air was cool, and the townspeople were out and about. I can't say that I miss living without electricity, but I do fondly remember the African moon.

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