Smelling feet on Holy Thursday:
By Shey Tatah Sevidzem
Foot odour can be greatly embarrassing as mouth odour. You can loose a lot of friends and loose respect too. Foot odour is a common problem, caused by excessive perspiration and the growth of bacteria on the feet and generally considered to be an unpleasant smell.
Anytime on Holy Thursday when the Gospel of John 13:1-15 is read in church, i always laugh out Loud that neighbors will feel disturbed.
It is a 20 years old memory when i was youth leader and selected as one of the 12th “Apostles” who feet would be washed by the Bishop. I was informed while i was already sitting with the St cecilia’s choir in Kumbo Cathedral. I knew if my socks were not clean or if i did not have new or clean shoes, my feet would smell. I have this issue and i am not proud of it.
But this was a chance i never wanted to miss, so i gave it a try.
I was about the 7th, and when Bishop Cornelius Fontem Esua (now Archbishop of Bamenda) approached, first i farted out of nervousness of my smelling feet.
When he raised my leg, i saw him moved his face to another direction while cleaning my feet…I do not know if this was the feet odour or the fart but i could sense the smell of my feet myself…
I had a picture with the Bishop after mass a way to get feedback of the area i polluted. He said nothing but accepted to pose for a shot. I remain with this guilt yet feel good that i got my feet washed by the Bishop.