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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Feb 2011 : 13:06:22
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Kankurang tradition training wraps-up
Africa » Gambia
Friday, March 19, 2010
A three-day awareness-raising workshop for school children on Kankurang tradition ended yesterday at Armitage Senior Secondary School in Janjanbureh, Central River Region (CRR).
The workshop which brought together some 150 students from three different schools namely Armitage Senior Secondary School, Janjangbureh Upper Basic school and Methodist Lower Basic School, aimed at broadening the mindset of young children on the traditional Kankurang art so that the tradition and its related rituals could be revitalised and safeguarded for generations to come.
Speaking at the forum, the National Assembly member for Janjangbureh constituency, Honourable Foday Jimani Manka, who dilated on the history and importance of Kankurang tradition, explained to the participants that the Kankurang has over time evolved into different forms from those of its Malian predecessors to modified forms such as 'Jaffo', Ifangbondi and 'Jamba Kankurang', and each of these distinct forms perform specific social and cultural functions during special ceremonies, festivals and commercial labour. According to him, the Jaffa Kankurang alias Kaabu Kankurango helps to ensure discipline, activate and animate the participation of the community during communal tesitoo projects.
He further explained that the masks worn by the Kankurang are costumes which conceal the wearer's identity and depersonalises his action He added that these masks secure a similar function as the gowns worn by the judges of the Supreme Court. He said this 'hidden identity' establishes that no ordinary man has the right to judge the other; therefore, the mask's superhuman form is believed to have the authority to act in the name and place of spirit.
Deliberating on the relationship between tradition and modernity, the Kankurang and the forces of change, the director general of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Momodou Joof described tradition as the passing of beliefs or customs from one generation to the other. He expressed optimism that the workshop will help the participants to learn about the origin, meaning, and cultural significance of the Kankurang tradition and the importance of preserving such traditions in the face of rapid modernisation.
The regional Forestry officer for Western Region, Ousainou who presented a paper on the Kankurang and the environment, with specific reference to preserving the plant species that provide the material for the Kankurang costume; remarked that the project is linked to the conservation and protection of the natural environment where the rituals are often practiced; stressing that the need for the protection and control of the forest is essential for the sustainability of the Kankurang costume. The training ended with a practical Kankurang dance staged by the participants at the residence of the chief of the District.
Author: by Lamin SM Jawo in Janjanbureh CRR
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Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2011 : 20:20:42
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Interesting, thanks Santanfara for this article
Forest preservation and the continuity of Kankurang tradition is an interesting perspective on climate change.
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