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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Mar 2006 : 23:40:20
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Gambiabev,You are talking about my relatives.Anyway as you rightly said what a small world it is?I come from the same Mass family but not actually from Kolior.I know all the People you talk about.The oldman is my uncle.(Brother to my Dad but in an extended family relationship) as you know in Africa,we respect extended Family relationships.x
Peace and love
Mankajang Janyanfara
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 03 Mar 2006 : 08:12:12
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WOW!!! What a small world. I could talk to you all day about what a wonderful family I think they are!!!! |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 03 Mar 2006 : 08:14:42
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| Sidou is like a brother to me, so you are my cousin........ They are my African family in Kolior. Sidou has named his last baby after my mother. |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 03 Mar 2006 : 17:13:09
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Hi Gambiabev,
Well I never thought you are racist and still don,t think you are.If not,why would you bother to share your thoughts with us?In perticular I sometimes thought you sound unhelpful when we discuss certain things about Africans and their problems.But I am really honest that I think you have Africa's interest and I have always said I respect you and all those Europeans like you who share their thoughts with us in trying times.
Talking about my family,well ask SIDOU and he will tell you what Mankajang means then you will know what I am (Original and now,Mass is not what it used to be).Am happy we have now have another british born member of the Mass Family.Know that you are not alone Mass family has mixed races now and as we expand and developed,we have Mass Germans,Mass French,Mass Americans, Mass Asian,Mass British ect...(I mean in Families of Mass born in Asia, Europe and America) Ofcause Mass are African origin.But the world keeps moving around the sun and thus keeps throwing the Mass people everywehere.Now you find us any part of the world.
In the Gambia,many people exp....don't know the Mass Family.Iam so proud to know my roots down to 1,090years from the Great Mankajang from Janyanfara to My Dad from The Gambia.
In the Gambia,you will find the Mass in:-Kiangs,Wuli, Jokadu, Badibus, Jarras,foni Berefet,and the Kombos
In Senegal /Cassamance,we are mostly found in:- Kedougu,Pakaau, Darsilamee misera,madina wuday,Karafur
In Guinea Bissau:-Kaabu, masirin.
In G.Konakry:- kankan, Mamou, and Chagel-buri.
In Mali Mass are found in:-JANYANFARA(Origin),Giekoronding(Bamako),segu,Bainankoro,Kati,Jenni,Timbuktu, We were warrior lethersmiths as I was able to esterblish through my research 4 my roots.So when my book finally comes out which any reader will see detailed acurate accounts of my biography that shows the origin of our real identity ,then you will be so proud to have known this family (if you are able to come accross the book and read it)whose early elderly man hid his identity to save his sick father from being killed by the then king of Massina.
Peace
Mankajang Janyanfara |
Edited by - Janyanfara on 03 Mar 2006 17:23:49 |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 03 Mar 2006 : 18:38:43
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So the Mass family originate in Mali....how fantastic to know your history. Sidous father was a brave fisherman..... I was told stories of him wrestling crocodiles.......
Sidou is an amazing character..so full of optimism and drive for the village. I have so much respect for him.
I am spending two days in the village this visit, so I have more time at the nursery with the children. |
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kassma
334 Posts |
Posted - 03 Mar 2006 : 22:22:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Janyanfara
Hi Gambiabev,
Well I never thought you are racist and still don,t think you are.If not,why would you bother to share your thoughts with us?In perticular I sometimes thought you sound unhelpful when we discuss certain things about Africans and their problems.But I am really honest that I think you have Africa's interest and I have always said I respect you and all those Europeans like you who share their thoughts with us in trying times.
Talking about my family,well ask SIDOU and he will tell you what Mankajang means then you will know what I am (Original and now,Mass is not what it used to be).Am happy we have now have another british born member of the Mass Family.Know that you are not alone Mass family has mixed races now and as we expand and developed,we have Mass Germans,Mass French,Mass Americans, Mass Asian,Mass British ect...(I mean in Families of Mass born in Asia, Europe and America) Ofcause Mass are African origin.But the world keeps moving around the sun and thus keeps throwing the Mass people everywehere.Now you find us any part of the world.
In the Gambia,many people exp....don't know the Mass Family.Iam so proud to know my roots down to 1,090years from the Great Mankajang from Janyanfara to My Dad from The Gambia.
In the Gambia,you will find the Mass in:-Kiangs,Wuli, Jokadu, Badibus, Jarras,foni Berefet,and the Kombos
In Senegal /Cassamance,we are mostly found in:- Kedougu,Pakaau, Darsilamee misera,madina wuday,Karafur
In Guinea Bissau:-Kaabu, masirin.
In G.Konakry:- kankan, Mamou, and Chagel-buri.
In Mali Mass are found in:-JANYANFARA(Origin),Giekoronding(Bamako),segu,Bainankoro,Kati,Jenni,Timbuktu, We were warrior lethersmiths as I was able to esterblish through my research 4 my roots.So when my book finally comes out which any reader will see detailed acurate accounts of my biography that shows the origin of our real identity ,then you will be so proud to have known this family (if you are able to come accross the book and read it)whose early elderly man hid his identity to save his sick father from being killed by the then king of Massina.
Peace
Mankajang Janyanfara
what are you talking about when you say Mass? |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 03 Mar 2006 : 22:57:50
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Mass is the family name......
Janyanfara..what subject is your book going to be about? If you get it published I will buy a copy! |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2006 : 23:19:36
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Hi Kassma,
Mass(sometimes called Manka is a surname of worriors).It oreginated from Mankajang and Mankasutung two brothers (from different mothers)and sons of the great Manka,founder of Janyanfara in mali.If you are Mandinka,you will know what "fara" means...4 "Janyan",it means fearless.His son Mankajang founded Janyanfara in kiang west).To cut a long chain of migrational history short,from Kiang west,my great grany left to settle in kiang east where My grand father left to jarra,then my father travelled around to many places.He visited Mali, then I took from him to complete a detailed reserch into the lifeof my Ancestor.
Hi Gambiabev,
Well I can't give you the details yet.Am sorry 4 I and my publisher wants to keep certain things to ourselves until when we finally settle terms between us.But as you are a regular visitor to the Gambia,You will hear about it in kolior sure.And I can promise you you will get a free cupy from me.So don't worry.This book talk about african's research in to his roots which took him across many parts of the continent until he found the utentic truth.
Peace,
Mankajang Janyanfara. |
Edited by - Janyanfara on 04 Mar 2006 23:36:36 |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 05 Mar 2006 : 06:29:39
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It sounds really interesting....... Sidous father is a very brave man and they are very proud of him..it is interesting to me that that is in his genetic make up!
Thanks for the offer of a copy! |
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kassma
334 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2006 : 07:13:04
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| i am Mandinka (don't you recognize my last name Kassama) but sadly don't speak the language. there is a professor however is teaching Manding so next semester i'll be in his class. hopefully, i'll become fluent. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2006 : 07:48:10
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When I go to Kolior I TRY to say the greetings......Sidou stands at the side of me whispering in my ear what to say........but people like it that at least i TRY!
I very little goes along way. |
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kassma
334 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2006 : 22:27:20
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jankafara, you seem pretty knowledgable about african history and culture. do you know where (i'm not sure what to call them) but you know how, since my last name is Kassama, someone might say Kassama yabi;or if my last name is Mendy, its Mendy Katau; or Correa, Correa menel; or Joof, its Joofa chae ko bye (i know don't know how to spell in wolof well, obviously). where did that come from and what does it mean.
also, when we greet people, people repeat the last name like, kassama, kassama, kassama yabi, kassama. why do we do it like that or is it just our culture.  |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2006 : 23:29:42
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Hi Kassama,
Well I did a bit of History and to tell you about Gassama,Well My uncle is also Gassama so you are one of me.The Jabbis and the Jawneh had left their babies with and old woman to take care.(They were both born the same day,The woman being old,did not know whose baby is whose so when the first mother came 4 her baby,(both were sons) she gave her one of the babies and latter the other woman came 4 hers,she gave the other but the other woman latter realised the baby with her seems not certain is her's when she told her husband,He said to her if I am given a jabbi son,well I shall take it.Meanwhile the Jabbi woman also realised her fears that she might have been given the jawneh child but her husbamd also said the same centiments as the Jawneh man.Then when the two men met they agreed to create a bond between them....thus the Jawnehs and the Jabbis never quarrel.
For your question,Gassama in mandinka are real Jahankas said to be descendants of the great marabout duwa jabi moro sheich (cant remember his name 4 am no griot but was a historian and I will when I find out)... Gassama.
He oreginally came from futa touba as my grand dad told me.
(My mother side are Jahankas).I haven't gone deep into my maternal history much but I might soon when I finish my paternal geonology.
But I know Jabbi are well versed people close to the the four rightly guided caliphs and still they are considered to be people with gifted knowledge.
When Gassamas passes a croud and greet,the reason people say Gassama Jabbi,it means Gassama, whose's prayer is accepted by God(Which means (Gassama duwa Jabi- mandinka word)
The reason why people repeat one's last(family) name is because that shows those arround which sect or clan the who greet is from. Like if I great,they will say Mass-Mankajang,you, Gassama Jabi some body eg Joof they will say Joof nyo ko bai but that is wollof for the Joofs Were great serer worriors and much feared by the then wollof king Njanjan njie who latter claimed to be oreginally serrer. Darboe are Merchants...thats why they are called Darboe Jula,Ceesays are marabouts ..thus ceesay mori, Njie and Jatta, are one and the same,Jobe and Trawalleh . But my brother I don't know that much though I specialised on one area of History, I know what can help many like you to know your roots so that you know what you are.You see 4 me now,I am a very happy man 4 I know what I am.
The Jabbis are oreginally from fouta touba where I have been(many times).If you want to find real African respect,try the Jahankas.Oh my God they respect each without problems at all.
Ofcause as your cousins(The Jawnehs), are said to have stolen you spirit water and drank it. Some say thats why they so intelligent 4 they have two spirited water.Thats why they either have to be great marabouts or they would turn to be griots.But the Jabbis are always and still Marabouts.
I could have told you more but didn't do more research on this so I can say only a few.But my brother I shall soon tell you the similarities of surnames from tribe to tribe.I shall do that soon.
Gambiabev,Ok when you go,just say to sidu or uncle Mankajang is Mass and they will ask you where you've heard that.Say from Janyanfara who is closest to them than their Adams temple.Say Hi to them 4 me.I know they might not know me 4 I have been to kolior a long time ago but 4 every body in kolior knows mi Dad.Just say my granny was from the village next to kolior.
Peace
Mankajang Janyanfara
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kassma
334 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2006 : 01:20:58
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Janyanfara are you a professor? thank you for taking your time and educating me about myself. i'm so interested in Gambian/African culture since i came here when i was so young and therefore don't know as much as i would if i stayed home. i think being in the culture you take for granted how interesting and special it is until of course you're out of it and then you don't know as much about yourself as you should. my mother is Manjago and i'm staying with her now, she knows Mandinka history but not as much as i guess a Mandinka would. the funny thing is she doesn't tell me much about Manjago history either since my dad is Mandinka and supposedly i'm Mandinka too. however, traditionally, don't Mandinka children inherit their mothers names, cause when i read stuff about Manding people, and the names of children and people usually have their mother's name somewhere in their name.
yes, i'm asking a lot of questions, i know, i can't help it. do you know any books or places on the internet where i can also get more info. that would great.
by the way, brother, i'm a female. |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2006 : 10:27:55
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| Janyanfara, thank you, too! As I married into a Mandinka family, is is also very interesting for me. I knew, for example, about the Ceesays being marabouts, but did not know they are closely related with the Jattas. I am looking forward to what we will learn from you in the future! |
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Bronx
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2006 : 18:03:56
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Serenata,
I don't think Janyanfara said that Ceesays are related to the Jattas.What he said was Njies and Jattas are the same. |
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