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Momodou
Denmark
11645 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Apr 2006 : 20:01:14
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quote:
Originally posted by kiwi01
Like you, Kondorong, I am interested in names and their origin. I used to wonder why there were spanish sounding names in the Gambia, like Camara and Gomez. Now I realize they must have portuguese origin, right? But how are they adopted, through marriage or are they "taken"? I personally know one Gomez and one Camara in Manjai Kunda. And what does Manjai Kunda mean? Manjai´s place?
Why do you think Camara is spanish origin?
May be the Camaras invaded Spain centuries ago or one of them setteled there and the surename multiplied Camara is a very tipical surename among the Mandingkas and is spelt as Kamara in other parts. Its is definately not Spanish . |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2006 : 20:56:38
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interestingly kiwi , like the spanish the Camaras also really enjoy their food
but Camara really has nothing to do with Spain or Portugal. its found like Momodou said amongst mandinkas but also amongst other ethnic groups fula, balanta, manjago, sarakuli etc its just like saying you have europeans with names like Gaye, which is very typical in the Senegambia region too. absolutely no link.
but some places have portugese roots like Albreda etc.
Kunda is like (borough/berg etc) like house of, place of in mandinka, in jola its Kang XXX, in wollof its Keur XXX, in fula its Sara XXX, or bambara it XXX dougou. normally XXX is the name of the founder. |
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kiwi
Sweden
661 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2006 : 22:43:50
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| Momodou, actually I wrote that I used to think they sounded spanish, not that they were. And, as we came to talk about portueguese influences, they might come Portugal. I believe in every country there are surnames which originate from other countries through migration eg, but have become genuine.The similarity between words can also be a coincidence. |
kiwi |
Edited by - kiwi on 29 Apr 2006 23:14:34 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11645 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2006 : 18:00:35
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Kiwi, My guess is it can just be a coincidence that the words sound alike or the migration could be from Africa.
Most European surenames are only found along the coast line in West Africa and not the interior.
Camaras like the Ceesays and Keitas are from the interior and not from the coast. Old mali is said to be a confederation of tewlve provinces one of which was ruled by the Camaras and I have never seen any Portugese conection mentioned. Try and read the history of Mali Empire for example a book called "Sundiata an epic of old Mali" by D. T. Niane |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kiwi
Sweden
661 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2006 : 18:49:01
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| Thanks, I have the book and I´ll read it. |
kiwi |
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2006 : 17:06:40
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| Kondorong,there is KAMBI-KUNDA in busumballa and they said to be the owners of that village and one of the first origins of kombo.Who knows? |
Edited by salimina |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2006 : 18:05:06
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Salimina
Are they the Alkalos. I thought the Jattas were. Its good to know that. I go to Busumbala often and will ask about this and probabaly find if there is a link with the Kambis in Kiang. |
“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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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2006 : 18:07:06
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| Kon, yes they are the alikalos and the jattas as well. Who do you know in Busumballa? |
Edited by salimina |
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2006 : 18:09:46
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| They have no connection in kiang.100 percent sure! |
Edited by salimina |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2006 : 18:40:48
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| O! THE WHOLE VILLAGE(LAUGH) .I KONOW A LOT OF THE JATTAS AND CHAM. My friend married from Busumbala and i frequent there every week. May be i will get MANYO FROM THERE. (quiet less my wife hears me type the word MANYO) |
“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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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2006 : 18:48:00
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| There is one cham kunda in busumballa and i think the jatta might be the one who worked at PMO. |
Edited by salimina |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2006 : 15:09:35
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The name 'Seck', for example, is also a German surname.
And what about the famous French fashion label Dior? This name, as far as I know, is a Gambian/Senegali surname as well. Is Dior of African origin? |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2006 : 15:20:10
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certainly not. things are just spelled differently in english and in french. in gambia we spell Joof and in senegal they spell it Diouf.
english = french
Jatta = Diatta
Jobe = Diop
Jammeh = Diamme
Jagne = Diagne
Secka = Seck (they don't write the 'a' but pronounce it silently)
Jallow = Diallo
Trawalley = Traore
Touray = Toure
Ceesay = Cisse
there are many more examples and you would even spell it differently in german if you want.
europeans and african only had contact in the last 400yrs which is quite recent. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2006 : 23:22:04
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It shows how close we are. i once attend a function in Banjul a comdeian was on stage. I cannot rememeber his name but is on the drama group TERREH MU TEH.
He joked about a Serere man who was travelling through southern Senegal and was getting late and decided to spend a night in a village who speak jola. so when the elders pass by they would greet each other by the fire
KUNYU LAK KUFITOK (which means i think how are the children? They are fine.AT LEAST ACCORDING TO HIM) However if you twist this a little it would mean something else in wollof. It could mean ( Who are we going to roast?, the guy sitting). The man speaks wollof also and was becoming scared and then ran for his life. Words have meanings in different languages. THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE AND NOT MEANT TO BE DEROGATORY. BANTABA IS SO SENSITIVE THAT ONE CAN HARDLY MAKE AN HONEST CONTRIBUTION WITHOUT BEING TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT.
I am not suprised that some words are found in other languages. English also has anglo-saxon origins. |
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Rainbow
Gambia
114 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2006 : 19:40:51
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| CAMARAS ARE ALL JOLAS |
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