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M Park
USA
2 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Aug 2009 : 07:01:43
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I am a graduate student at Michigan State University who has been researching Gambian oral history and I was very interested in Kelefa Sanneh. I have read several different versions of the history and I have a few questions that hopefully someone can answer for me.
1. I have heard different accounts of who killed Kelefa. Can anyone give their opinion on who it was that shot him?
2. Why was Kelefa killed? Was he killed because he charged into battle despite warnings, or because of the enemy tactics?
3. Did Kelefa fight with a spear or a gun? Did he fight on horseback?
If anyone has insight into these questions it would greatly help me in my research. It would be great to hear some different perspectives on this important part of Gambian history. Thanks in advance!
-Matthew Park
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2009 : 08:32:30
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Good questions M Park. I have a book which provide two different versions of Kelepha's life and death. Unfortunately i have to recheck and comment on it later.
Off head, an oral version narrated by kelepha's daughter's uncle residing in Dakar, name forgtoten for now state that, the truth in kelepha's death is covered in a secret covenant.
Kelepha was killed by the king who hired him to seize the fort of (name forgoten).
Mansa Demba Sonko knew about Kelepha through a jali Madi who travelled from Kaabu to visit patrons. Jali Madi went to play Kora for Mansa Demba, the king of Niumi when he learnt that, the king was trying to takeover a settlement across the river for days without any success.
The griout then started playing Kelepha's song and enquired from the king as to whether he knew whose song he was playing. The king couldn't tell, it was then that, Jali Madi said to the king, the owner of the song is tougher and braver man than you. He can seize control of that fort without any problem. the griout compared King Demba to Kelepha in a parrable of a (well and a river).
Mansa Demba then invited kelepha who was then residing in Kian Tankularr, the mid of Gambia. Kelepha before settling down had looked for war but to no avail. So when Mandsa Demba contacted him to fight for him, he was trill beyond belief.
He set a date and visited Mansa Demba in Niumi. But since the war rules were govern by soothsayers and fortune tellers. Mansa Demba contacted the oracles to see what are his troops furtunes like. the oraclers it is said, indicated that Kelepha will surely takeover the fort but that he will die there.
Mansa Demba didn't want to let a person of Kelepha's standing die in his battle. But then kelepha told him " in a day of survival, no man dies but a day of death, no man survive" meaning, my life and death is not up to you but a higher being. if i should die, then so be it.
inteterestingly, Kelepha was allowed to join the battle and led from the front. He conquered the fort and brought the territory under the rule of king Demba Sonko. The betrayal was plotted by Mansa Demba himself not the enemy armies.
It is said that, King Demba Sonko thought to himself, "if a foriegn warrior is able to take the glory of my war, what would people make out of my legacy and that of my descendants." he King Demba couldn't stomach the fact that, Kelepha took the fort with relative ease and he was going look like a failure. It was then he plotted with his people to kill Kelepha. But the myth about Kelepha is that, he wouldn't be kill with a bullet or spare but something else. A rope was tie round Kelepha's neck at an ambush, he was dragged until he died.
Kelepha according to the most reliable oral narration was betrayed by his contractor.
Kelepha fought with gun, spear and also with sword. he travelled all over the Gambia river looking for war but he couldn't get one.
In future, i might comment on the other two versions.Thanks |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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M Park
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2009 : 05:45:19
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Thank you for a wonderfully detailed reply! I found the story you posted very interesting. I have personally only read Kelepha stories which were recorded in the seventies including the versions of Bamba Suso and Shirif Jebate as well as some versions collected by the historian Donald Wright. If you don't mind I have a few more questions.
Do you know who the war was against that Kelepha was fighting in or who the fort belonged to?
What was it that made Kelepha such a great warrior?
How did the people of Niumi react to the mansa killing Kelepha?
Was Kelepha buried after he has killed? I have also heard that his spear is still kept in Niumi. Is this the case?
Thank you again for replying. Cheers!
-Matthew Park |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 06 Sep 2009 : 17:32:33
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Hi Park, i will attempt to answer some the questions. although i may come back to it later.
1.Do you know who the war was against that Kelepha was fighting in or who the fort belonged to?
answer--- the war that Kelepha was fighting was between Mansa Demba Sonko and the Soon kunda family of Jokadou Barria. Mansa Demba wish to anex Barria and bring it under his rule. but he couldn't after several battles takeover the town. Jokadou Barria is strategically located, all invaders are spoted, so the men get ready for all invaders. the Soon kunda family are three brothers who stelled in close promiximinty, Tammana, Barria and another town.
2.What was it that made Kelepha such a great warrior?
answer--- Kelepha was born in a heritage of fighters. His uncle was the Mansa or king of a province in Kaabu current day guinea Bissau and parts of Cassamance. His uncle's name is Samka nanki. Kelepha's Father's name is Tuban Sanneh. kelepha's dad died before he was born. But as a young boy Kelepha's life became involve with what the people term as spirites and mysticism. He was not law He abiding neither clam tempered. he enjoys sword fighting and breaking all taboos.
Warriorship was the trade mark of the sanneh and Manneh, they are refered to as Nyanchos--meaning those who don't fear death. They never long for old age. So kelepha live his life like his father, who too was a tax collector and a brave fighter.
3.How did the people of Niumi react to the mansa killing Kelepha?
Anwser--- As i said ealier, the mansa Demba it is said paid the griouts who are the mediums then who pass on informations not to disclose the real reason why kelpeha was killed. so people didn't know sooner why and how Kelpeha died until after wards. But because Kelepha is not from that territory, the people don't have much close relationship with him. He was seen as a marcenary who is paid to kill.
Another myth about him was a nick name he had, he was call a Badora Jola. which place him in the Jola tribe, the kasinkos and jolas are cousins,. for a jola to join forces with others and wage war against them was a big taboo. was in fact the people didnot feel much remorse for Kelepha. Kelepha was not a Jola but a Kabuu Mandingo who was nicknamed by a Jinn as (Badora julu joola) someone who will reclaim the debts of Badora. Jola means to repay or payer.
this is evident in the manner he was buried. His grave is still in Jokadou Barria. he is buried at the outscart of the village. accordinlyly they never mark his grave with any headstone, but mysterously a unique local tree grew at kelepha's grave making the grave famous and identifiable.
4.Was Kelepha buried after he has killed? I have also heard that his spear is still kept in Niumi. Is this the case?
answer-- answer 4 provided response on that. he was buried but not with much respect. as mansa demba wish to make it look low key and insignificant. In fact, some narrators said, it was a griout from Kabbu who insisted that Kelepha must be buried.
Thanks.. |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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