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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Jun 2009 : 22:46:26
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Once upon a time in a village settled by a wonderful clan of warriors and farmers ;there lived a King who was so much loved by his people. This was because of his kindness to his subjects , whom he treated with respect , consulting them on all matters of state and even his own family matters. This king had many wives but did not get any children from any of his wives. This became a big worry for him and the source of great unhappiness. He consulted many native doctors and got so many cures offered to assist him get a child but all these aids failed. One day a hunter came to the village and asked to see the king . He found the sad king sat at his court with his advisers and the royal griot;who played on the kora to entertain the court. On entering the court he squatted on the ground and offered greetings to the king and without wasting time told the king that he was there to assist him get a child. The king at that point in time was so depressed and feeling that he was never going to get a child ,and when he heard this stranger talking about assisting him thus, he bade him to come closer. The hunter did as he was told and he told the king what he needs to do to get over his problem. The solution to the problem according to the hunter is for the king to marry a mad woman and treat her like a royal queen. This was too much for the king but he wanted a child and that was why he married all those many wives. He consulted with his people and they all agreed that if that was going to help he must do as advised. A very wild woman who went mad many , many years before was the only one around and they got her to be married to the king. Shortly afterwards she became pregnant and bore the king a beautiful daughter. The woman after delivery of her baby became quite sane and lived in the king's household as a queen. The king later had many other sons but only one daughter ; that is the one from the former mad woman. She grew to be the most beautiful maiden in the village and even in the whole region.When it was time for her to get married she was consulted about whom she wants to marry and she replied that she would only marry a man who has no blemish or mark on his body caused by an injury.Suitors came from far and near but on examination they were all found wanting; that is because they had one kind of mark or another ,thus get disqualified.She became very sad and would not join in feasts or laugh at all. This brought great sadness into the kings household and though she was asked to change her criterion for getting married she remained steadfast in her quest. One day as the king sat with his usual courtiers a man walked in and made a request to be examined as a possible suitor for the princess. He was a very handsome youth , with sparkling white teeth and steely eyes.He was examined over and over but no blemish was found on his entire body. He thus won the challenge and married the princess.The whole village and other people from surrounding villages joined in the ceremony which took several weeks. Finally the man asked for permission to take his wife away and he was granted permission to do so. The couple set out on the journey to the bridegrooms home.They travelled for several days and nights and finally they came to a very big forest and entered it. In the middle of that forest was a huge hole. The bridegroom asked the princess to wait for him as he crept into the hole. After a while a huge snake crawled out of the same hole and coiled it's body around the poor terrified girl. She cried out for her husband to come to her aid, but heard a voice close by. It was the snake talking to her.In effect the snake told her that the man she married was not human but a snake. That he transformed into human form to get her and that she now must stay there as his wife.The woman cried for help but no one was around to help her. The snake goes out to hunt for prey and bring to it's lair and she cooks for herself from the meat. She lived like this for several years with the snake which only asks her to kiss it at night. One day she heard some travellers passing by and called out to them for help. She told them that she was the daughter of a king and got married to a man who in fact was not human but a snake. The snake spoke out to them telling them that she was lying . This was in sing song narrative and goes as follows:-
"Jullolu ojullolu, nalta ta alsafo mbaning fayeh jullolu, yendi kemingna jullolu, saabaa miniyang baa jullolu"
The snake retorts
" aye fani wollah mbitang, aye wulloo wollah mbitang, nkomba sumbulella mbintang , sumbu te musu falla mbitang, na lafaani ya teng mbitang, naa la wulloo yangteng mbitang"
The travellers just moved on and soon forgot the lady they saw in the big forest. They were however ;traders who sell sheep and goats plus other wares. When they got to the kings village one of the sheep got inspired and started bleating "mee! mee! mee! memmeng meemeng mee mee mee " several times and this made one of them remember what they heard and saw. He narrated the story to the hearing of the villagers and they went to tell the king. He immediately gathered the best hunters together and sent them to rescue his daughter. They got to the forest and after a bitter struggle managed to kill the snake and bring the princess back to her family. She decided that she would now get married to any one her father chose for her and the chief hunter was the lucky suitor for then. They lived happily ever after
My small contribution to Suntou's request for stories for their Coventry kids, I hope that they will;like it.I did as a child .This was one of the stories my late aunty used to tell me and I always asked her to repeat it because she had a wonderful voice and her singing sent me to sleep at times.I have some more of these in my store one butut per story , they are not for free now!
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Edited by - kaanibaa on 25 Jun 2009 23:20:05 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jun 2009 : 23:51:33
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Kaani
This a story i listened to by the fire with grannies. There is a wisdom to the story. That is that one should not be too choosy. The beautiful girl could have married a descent guy but because she so full of her self, she ended up where she was.
Its part of the wider African society's attemopts at conformity. It prepared the children to accept the decisions of parents as wise and not to be challenged especially in matters of marriage.
You have left out one line in the song:
"Ndala may ya long talabass" |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jun 2009 : 01:33:44
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quote:
"Jullolu ojullolu, nalta ta alsafo mbaning fayeh jullolu, yendi kemingna jullolu, saabaa miniyang baa jullolu"
Rightly put Kons;
This is a very familiar story, with its known melody song, accurately quoted. I dream that this is the start of cultural revival by Kaani. Just like he noted, this by far cannot be for Suntou's kids only. It must be jealously safeguarded.
D.. |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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Edited by - Dalton1 on 26 Jun 2009 01:57:34 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jun 2009 : 17:40:22
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dalton
Your quote is actually from Kaaniba. This story was very popular and Africa and African children have lost a lot with the disappearance of the story telling by the fires. The transfer of knowledge very much dependent on this social activity and with its disappearnce, also comes with the dead our our culture.
The period of November to janauary commonly call SANG JANO in mandinka when the harmattan blows down south, bring in the the cold, stories by the fire was a ritual for every village child especially in the Mandinka society. Sitting on goat skins and adding NYANG TANG( tall dry grass used for making thatch roofs) was a common sight.
I vivdly remeber the white ashes on my legs. Buti do rememeber that i was not beng judged for i was. I was just accepted. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jun 2009 : 21:46:14
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| Kondorong I accept the additional bit and would find time to add it to the song. The story was indeed one I would always remember as it was recounted by my aunt during those cold dark nights when I was so young and needing love and sharing of family fun.My aunt was a very good story teller and for me she had a very sweet voice. I also did not make the story long for reasons of not making it boring to readers as you would remember the telling in oral form takes you on a very long trail with interjections here and there. Thanks for the input and sharing what I would call a trip down memory lane . |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2009 : 04:57:21
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Hi Mawdo Kons;
I was quoting Kaani directly, also rejoining to your post at the same time.
But herein, this is a nice memento of a traditional story. The line above, thus "Julolu woh julolu..." is the bomb! The english word "scar" for examination of body marks is called "ehwordeh" in pular.
This story was narated to me in pular, only the singing of the quote above sang in Mandinka as quoted above repeatedly. It makes a melody tone. There are many others of its similitude. I used to be sent to buy colanuts, tobacco, cigarettes, fetch firewood, bring mangoes or oranges, etc...to get stories like these in repay. I believe these were the best times in life.
Back to the moral lesson of the story; to be 'picky' is sometimes bad. I think many men and women fall a trap especially in choices of life partners, or just general life situations. The other partto it as can be be put by the African American "Don't go with no stranger!" I think it is ok to be a trusting person but don't get carried so easily.
I did enjoy the piece. The last time, I was on onegambia.com, and after I listened to one track that talked about my home town, I was in high moods....ready to weep hard....it was a beautiful moment . Like normally said "wonna maideh tan yurminih/wul leh teh."
Once again, thanks bro. Kaani. i look forward to the modified version.
D...
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"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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Edited by - Dalton1 on 27 Jun 2009 05:43:07 |
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jun 2009 : 17:38:35
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| I was going to pen more stories believing that it was for the benefit of Santa's kids as requested but since he has not seen fit to acknowledge my contribution I have withdrawn from the scene , as the wollof would say "kulla bye bro ken invite tulla fee!" eh! |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jun 2009 : 18:30:18
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Come on Kaan.Santa is a Gambian and as you yourself know, Gambians are ALWAYS busy with this or that, so it may have slipped his mind,I am sure that he ,didn't mean to hurt your feelings.
Being a Gambian means taking your time over everything,there again perhaps travel is involved,who knows,just wait and see.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jun 2009 : 18:35:16
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| T1020 you are trying to make an excuse for Santa, he asked for stories and I sent one in but he simply disappeared from this forum like a genie into the magic bottle, its not fair now.So my strike would continue till he resurfaces , like em you know what I mean ! Eh ! |
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Momodou
Denmark
11824 Posts |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jun 2009 : 19:42:29
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quote:
Originally posted by kaanibaa
T1020 you are trying to make an excuse for Santa, he asked for stories and I sent one in but he simply disappeared from this forum like a genie into the magic bottle, its not fair now.So my strike would continue till he resurfaces , like em you know what I mean ! Eh !
Maybe, but Momodou has now joined,although he is not making excuses for "Santa the genie",he is writing that he likes the stories so don't get too upset over this lack of communication. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jun 2009 : 20:15:07
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| T1020 and Momodou you guys made my day as a sulking bad boy today , any way thanks for the nice words and perhaps I shall arise from the dejection and do something, may be heat the leftover rice and eat it to stop my grumbling belly . malo butanga nyef si birrbee ho hoye!That was a joke my friends and am sure santa is busy as we all could be at times yeah man cool and nice to be nice ! |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jun 2009 : 21:38:20
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"I shall arise from the dejection and do something"
sounds like a good idea to me
(Opps...........a poem coming on perhaps ) |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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tamsier
United Kingdom
558 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jun 2009 : 23:09:33
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Kaanibaa,
I want More! More! More! It brings normality and good culture on this site. |
Tamsier
Serere heritage. Serere religion. Serere to the end.
Roog a fa ha. |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2009 : 10:37:32
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| Well said, more culture,less politics |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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