No life in Africa without...

In the BBC competition for Africa, listeners and readers describe what they could not live without.

Here entrants cannot imagine life without 24-hour street vendors, dancing, big behinds and earplugs.

Ledet Mulet, Ethiopia

I could not live without "suke be derete".

African, the land where big bottoms are not blamed on cellulite Perry Akinyi Brusotti

These are people who work on the streets carrying a mini-store in their arms.

Items such as cigars, condoms, candies or razors.

These individuals sell their items at a slightly higher price than regular shops, but absolutely at the customers' convenience.

They are available all the time and sell their products individually instead of in multi-packs.

They are very necessary here in Ethiopia where we do not have many 24 hour stores.

Perry Akinyi Brusotti, Italy

When I got married in Italy, what I missed most about Africa was our way to have fun; our way to support each other, even in circumstances where we have no money at all.

Africans know how to have fun, says Perry Akinyi Brusotti

And I missed our way to cry at funerals with all our strength and might, and then have a feast and eat like it is a party at the same funeral.

Africa, a place where I can leave my child with the neighbour when the babysitter runs away, and I will find the baby intact.

It is a place where I learnt to appreciate music: how I miss how each Friday we would all dress up in our best to go out and dance to Luo and Lingala music like there was no tomorrow.

The rhythm of Luo music, the words of the Luo musician that appreciated nothing but the beauty of a woman's behind.

Oh Africa, the land where big bottoms are not blamed on cellulite, but the beauty of an African heritage.

The land where each time I bought new shoes or clothes, I went from office to office to say hello to my friends so they could admire my new acquisition.

And where we smile on the streets and we all go to mourn with our neighbours when there is death, and go to see their new-born babies.

Africa, where Friday is like the end of the world and we all dance and forget about the political corruption that is surrounding us.

There is no African life without music, without dance, without love for life: we love life, we live life in Africa.

Emmanuel Igwe Jacob, Nigeria

As a classroom teacher working in a community school and living near a noisy neighbour with ever-barking dogs, a car burglar alarm system that always seems to go off at night and an ever-busy generator, what you cannot live without is wearing earplugs or earmuffs.

Loud noises - I hate them like hell.

Eighty to 90 decibels can lead to a gradual loss of hearing.

It also causes stress, so to be on the safe side I wear ear protection, and surely could not live without it.

Your Life Without

Enter the BBC's competition for Africa - No Life Without. Let us know what brings most meaning to your life in Africa that you could not imagine living without - perhaps your morning coffee, a car or your husband?

If you have photos to accompany your contribution send them to [e-mail], otherwise use the form at the bottom of the page.

Entries should be no more than 300 words.

The best will be published on the BBC News website and broadcast on the BBC World Service's Network Africa programme. Some will receive small prizes.

Use the form below to send your entry.

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