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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
 Posted - 22 May 2006 : 18:25:02
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| Yes they are a minority in the Gambia but right now i am not sure if they can be easily traced. I have haerd of them being talked about but then i was very young. Majority of these languages have origins in the southern parts og gambia, Cassamance and Guniea Bissau. |
“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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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 19:52:07
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this is new. i dont think its a tribe/ethnic group but perhaps a word used by others to call others. Turkka?
what are their typical surnames? which villages in Niumi |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 20:00:35
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The Turrka i heard are from Guinea Bissau end initially as "strange Farmers" as Gambia used to have a flow of migrant farmers from Guinea Conakry and Bissau to weed the fields. In fact this would have their season in the Gambia. In the villages you meet groups of say 50 men and women and their children looking for work in the provinces. They get family hosts who feed them free and house them and in return they work every morning of the week on the host's farm except Wednesdays when they have the whole day to work on their own farms. The host will also provide seeds on credit to them.
Gambia has missed an opportunity that we will never have. The Gambia was really positioned to leap into prosperity if the leadership could see the signs. It was an indication of prosperity within our sub region. Lot of rains, over production of rice to a point where we were a few inches to start exporting Gambian rice. Food was not a problem during those times.
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“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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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 20:20:58
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quote:
Originally posted by kobo
Kons "kaira laate" I have more ideas on this topic and waiting your reactions to continue our discussions.
I think i cannot rememeber this question you are waiting for. Can you rephrase the question please? |
“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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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 20:22:52
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quote:
Originally posted by kobo
I disagree with you on these dodgy points as you did not answer my question; that allows you to be priviledged with them, claim to yourself the group you belong and all the your titles you feel you need and entitled to, as seen or depicted from your own scenario or context from those postings, rather you asking me another question where I am from and whether I suffer from inferior complex and dodging my question?
The answer to your question is; "I have the pride and honour to state that am clearly a typical Gambian like you 100%, as I am not bothered about being a jola, mandinka, wollof, fulla, serehule, serer, mankamang, mannyago or whatever groups are available to affiliate or connect yourself with by ancestral, descendant or cultural norms. If you have a different outlook you can blow your own trumpet and hit any tunes or lyrics you want for your own good? Ultimately you would realised how common peoples'we are and that my answer is a statement of fact, more appropriate and more sensible for the outlook we need to focus on to share the national cake, address Gambian policy issues and politics.
All said and done, I would appreciate an answer (if possible or available) to my first question from my earlier intervention on this topic.
I cannot understand you. can you be more explicit please. Sorry we are all at different levels here. |
“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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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 22:07:32
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quote:
Originally posted by kondorong
Last names have always been a source of identity in Africa. It is the social security equivalent in the United States or the National Insurance number in the UK. It is, if I may borrow the term, a genetic print of who you are. It also was used to determine which caste on belongs to.
For example, Sanneh, manneh, , sanyang are warrior classes; touray; fatty, Ceesay are from spiritual classes; Baldehs are rulers etc. Please note that this is just an example. Africa is as diverse as the tribes. In some countries there are over 50 languages. Some tribes are unique to only one locality whilst others like Fulani are widely spoken. Wollof is very unique to SeneGambia and so are Jolas to Cassamance, southern Gambia and Guinea Bissau.
What has happened is that overtime, people have moved to other areas where they are a minority and "changed" their tribe to fit in the majority but that does not make them that tribe as far as Africa is concerned. May be i will draw your attention to the African saying that " NO MATTER HOW LONG A PIECE OF LOG FLOATS IN A RIVER, IT NEVER TURNS INTO A CROCODILE". I had JALLOW classmates in Saloum who "claim" to be Wolof. It might be easy to know that Jallow is Fula but in 100 years, the generation that will come up will find it difficult to know who they are.
I think what we need to do is to ask these questions before we loose all that historical information. It is, mostly in the Senegambia region that you will find Ceesays to be Wolof or Mandingos as Jatta. In fact one can safely say that all the Ceesays who claim to be Wolof tend to live in areas largely populated by Wolof. It is therefore easy for Mandingos to "become" Wolof. Mandingo Jarjus tend to live close by Jola communities as in Kiang. Mandinka Njies are also common in Baddibu because of the influence of Saloum on the group. Njie is really wollof.
The problem is we never ask and with the influx of western culture we will soon loose all that rich history. Personally, I only care about tribe as part of the rich culture that it strengthens, as certain ways of life seem unique to a particular tribe. Other than that, I care less who you are as long as you can contribute to the advancement of the community in which you live. Tribes are nature’s way of adding spice to life. It should not form the basis for discrimination, patronage but bring us together as diverse but equal partners in the drive to building a thriving nation where “……… we are judged based on the content of character ……..” and not tribal affiliations.
QUOTING FROM ABOVE:
"Last names have always been a source of identity in Africa. It is the social security equivalent in the United States or the National Insurance number in the UK. It is, if I may borrow the term, a genetic print of who you are. It also was used to determine which caste on belongs to. " NO MATTER HOW LONG A PIECE OF LOG FLOATS IN A RIVER, IT NEVER TURNS INTO A CROCODILE" QUOTE ENDS
Kondorong, welcome back and really missing you for a while. The trend of our discussion was based on these statements which you try to sell to us in above scenarios and those questions that were asked earlier was very straightforward as follows:- "Who you are and where do you think you belong?" Can you answer them now and justify your answers with facts, as I am one of those not yet convinced on your statements? |
Edited by - kobo on 22 May 2006 22:39:05 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 23:07:59
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| I am a human being and belong to the human race. I hope this answers you. |
“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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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 23:08:38
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| Thanks Biraago. Section 1. of the Gambia Constitution is reckoned as most recent precedent over all historical and cultural norms that is most appropriate, relevant and applicable on this topic for a progressive nation for its progressive peoples' as a secular Republic. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 23:11:13
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quote:
Originally posted by kondorong
I am a human being and belong to the human race. I hope this answers you.
Thank you. However would like to see whether my analysis that follows below from your material information is also relevant, meaningful and more sensible. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 23:27:05
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Certainly it is meaningful and i am not denying that it does not. It is very healthy to disagree in a democracy. That is the only way forward rather than trying to make sure everyone conforms to way of thinking.
See my posting under the constitution that Biraago sent in today. I have a brief observation and a question i need help with? |
“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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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 23:44:48
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"Last names have always been a source of identity in Africa. It is the social security equivalent in the United States or the National Insurance number in the UK. It is, if I may borrow the term, a genetic print of who you are."
In my opinion these statements appear to be statements of facts and can be positively seen to corresponding with identifying ourselves with pride on our rich cultural backgrounds from the tribes they are derived from; and which we are connected with through lineal ancestor or descendants, relatives and/or through mixed marriages and living together over time. If somebody has been initiated and accepted to a society and conversant with their cultural rites, values and norms and given an ID equivalent or a proper name tag, you could be that "Deew sangam" in wollof vernacular or somebody who could easily be identifiable to a particular tribe or ethnic group from his name or surnames commonly affiliated with them. In that sense I tend to endorse that statement highlighted above as valid in my opinion.
However if it is misconstrued to be used to discrimate and make others felt degraded and low in society, thats where the alarm bell is ringing for appropriate action to exterminate hatred and enslavement from the society. |
Edited by - kobo on 22 May 2006 23:48:06 |
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Dembish
Gambia
284 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 23:48:48
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| Thanks Kondorong for the elaborating on the Turrkas.I also hard they are very Good farmers, very hardworking people.So I wouldn't be surpised at all to know there migration got something to do with farming. |
There is no egg without a chicken, and no chicken without egg. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 23:51:09
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| Well you have seen the light Kobo. It should not form the basis for discrimination. But we need to keep the tribes as it enriches the culture. |
“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.” |
Edited by - kondorong on 23 May 2006 00:04:52 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 23:55:01
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quote:
Originally posted by kondorong
Well you have seen the light Kobo. It should form the basis for discrimination. But we need to keep the tribes as it enriches the culture.
It should form the basis for discrimination, I disagree. But do agree on"It should not form the basis for discrimination and promotion of a caste or class system |
Edited by - kobo on 22 May 2006 23:56:11 |
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Galo Sowe
Sweden
116 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2006 : 00:01:34
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quote:
Originally posted by kobo
Sorry if it sounds or implies that to you. In my opinion if the borders are open and they could be used to infiltrate or in ther words allow others from other countries cross-over to penetrate that country. Hope am clear now?
Not so! Sorry to border you Kobo but I want to know why you think they infiltrated Gambia from Guinea Bissau? |
"Soldiers are experts at camouflage but that is on the battle field not the political one, were transparency is the watch word" Kaaniba |
Edited by - Galo Sowe on 23 May 2006 00:04:48 |
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