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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Apr 2007 : 17:51:07
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I went to see the film 'Amazing Grace' on Sunday night. It was very interesting. I am also going to see the play African Snow at York Theatre Royal on Friday.
Slavery in any form is indefencible. Sadly it still continues today in different forms. But it is still a business for profit, a trade in people.
First was slavery and then came colonialism. I am interested to know from Gambians in Gambia and in europe what the impact of these two times in history have been on their own lives, their families and their villages. How would things have been different if colonialism hadnt of happened? DO they have stories past down through the oral history of their families about slaves been taken?
It is a very big and very sensitive subject. But it is also very important that it is never forgotten and never excused. Man's inhumaity to man is shocking through history. We should learn from the past and move forward.
I am an idealist. I would like to think in the future there will be no slaves, no caste systems or class systems. I would like all people to be treated equally according to their actions, not according to colour, wealth or religion.
Education and health care should be free in all countries and people should be free to travel for work and holidays whatever their country of origin. The world should be one big country, a melting pot of peoples and cultures and we should live in harmony.
Well I did say I was an idealist!!!! 
I have gone off topic a bit, but I am interested to know what peoples personal families history of slavery is.
I am also interested to know more about slavery and castes within Gambian society. I have tried to raise this before an people have been reluctant to talk about it. What is the origins and does it still go on?
I have been told that in Kolior, the 'slaves' (originally not any more) live in a different segregated part of the village. Is that correct? This is a MAndinka village. I have been told Gambians can tell peoples origins from their surnames. Is this true?
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