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Momodou
Denmark
11829 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Jan 2006 : 16:23:39
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Here is a Cultural Guide THE GAMBIA CULTURE NOTES by Ebrima Colly which I hope the non Gambian Bantaba readers find useful in their future interactions with us Gambians. I found it yesterday whilst searching on the Internet.
Gambiabev, There are many resources out there if you want to learn about the country instead of flooding Bantaba with your questions.
One quote from the Guide is:
"Though a heterogeneous society, Gambians of different ethnic groups live, work, and worship together in harmony.
People also marry across ethnic lines. Discrimination and prejudice are rare and occur only in isolated cases. Gambia is not like other societies where there has been long-standing universal prejudice and violence among ethnic groups.
Special bonds/relations exists between ethnic groups, regions, towns, families, and castes. These bonds have greatly improved and strengthened peaceful co-existence among members of different groups. People from groups that have such a bond between them would informally joke, tease, and make fun of one another wherever they meet. Great care is taken not to offend, upset or annoy the other party. Where one offends the other, an apology must follow quickly or (it is strongly believed) something unfortunate will happen to you. These bonds also play a great role in third party conflict resolution at all levels."
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2006 : 18:39:07
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I have read several books about the gambia...one of the best tourist guides is 'the rough' guide. It is very detailed and has alot of information specifically about the Gambia, whereas most guides are to senegambia region.......The more I read the more questions I have........
Stanfords in Covent Garden is a brilliant shop. I even managed to get a detailed map of Gambia in there.
I will try not to ask questions on bantaba anymore.
I thought bantaba was partly for this purpose, but obviously I am mistaken. |
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Momodou
Denmark
11829 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2006 : 23:32:03
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quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
I have read several books about the gambia...one of the best tourist guides is 'the rough' guide. It is very detailed and has alot of information specifically about the Gambia, whereas most guides are to senegambia region.......The more I read the more questions I have........
Stanfords in Covent Garden is a brilliant shop. I even managed to get a detailed map of Gambia in there.
I will try not to ask questions on bantaba anymore.
I thought bantaba was partly for this purpose, but obviously I am mistaken.
Gambiabev, I am just trying to help you.
Perhaps you should still download the document and read more about the Gambian culture and atitudes if reading all those books on Gambia didn't help you. It is written by a Gambian and for development workers like VSO and Peace Corps who stay in Gambian communities for years, where as the rough guide is for tourists. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 01:58:10
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Momodou that was an enjoyable read the only thing I object to is stereotyping Rastas as theives. For if a Rasta is a thief then they are not a Rasta's but people with locks on their heads who steal.
I found it interesting to find out that a husband's female relatives have more influence over key decisions than his wife. This in itself can bring about conflicts of interest if his relatives don't like the wife, which invites the undermining of the marriage.
The superstition part is interesting pointing to the original culture of African Spirituality, and how marabouts use both a combination of African Spirtuality and Islam to assist their clients. I wasn't aware that Gambia had other crocodile pools having stroked Charlie a couple of times at Kagikalli Pool. I was told by two women who both said one after another that I would have a son in 1992. I ended up having two sons. So in my case I wouldn't describe this fertility ground as superstition at all!
Peace
Sister Omega
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Sister Omega |
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Momodou
Denmark
11829 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 02:22:05
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Sister Omega, I found it an enjoyable reading too when I came across it during a search on the Internet. I don't agree in the stereotyping of Rastas but thats how they are seen if they don't have dalasis in their pocket..
Yes, there can be many conflicts of interests and marriages broke because of those influences from the family members. Thats a whole topic by itself. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 08:36:15
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I have printed it off to read over and over.....
I find reading small print in large quantity on the screen gives me a headache..old age is a terrible thing!
The superstitions are interesting.....my grandma (93) has to be THE most superstitious person I have ever met. She was bought up in a Leicestershire village. Interestingly..the thing about it being lucky if you put your clothes on inside out is one that she always said!
I find the prejudice view of rastas difficult too...... i just thought they were really cool, hot guys that smoked dope and listened to Bob Marley how does that make them thieves?
ALso it said to be wary of the kankurang. When I have been to the village with the school party the Kankurang has been part of the festivities....... SORRY I AM ABOUT TO ASK A QUESTION! What is their role in society........the children seemed to 'enjoy being frightened by him' and it seemed to be something to do with warding off evil?????? Or have I got it badly wrong? Either way he is a fantastic part of the mandinka culture and the welcome in the village is amazing with the drummers and the kankurang. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 08:43:01
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I have come across the power of sisters!
When I go to a village, the guy that runs the nursery has 5 sisters. They follow me round and give me presents. I asked the guy what is this all about and he said they want you to be my wife.
He has ONE wife already....she is hardly ever there and doesnt seem to have much say......the sisters have decided I would be a good choice for the family! I am VERY flattered.....
BUT I explained I have a family of my own in England and in my culture I would find it very difficult to be the SECOND wife. I said i would visit the family often and we could be good friends, like sisters........but I am not getting married again and cant live in Gambia full time.
Do you think that was OK??????? I am worried that I would offend them.
So the moral of the story is if you marry a Gambian man make sure you get on with the sisters |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 11:40:00
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| I found this guide very good it gave me an insight into many things I did not know, it explained things in a straightforward way so often complicated language is used by writers who enjoy using words just to show how big they are and maybe overeducated so normal people are unable to understand what they mean. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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