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shaka
996 Posts |
 Posted - 13 May 2010 : 00:51:00
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Why does Gambia have this pathetic knack of letting national icons and legends go to their graves with a wealth of generations of our history that is yet to be recorded. Here is another national icon with nearly a century of our wonderful history she lived and helped made, likely to go to peaceful eternal sleep with so much treasure. Ms. Owens is truely a national legend. At ninety-seven she still has such a fantastic memory the could be tapped and recorded for posterity. Isatou Bittaye and Foroyaa have done a great job in that respect but you could not help but feel that there is still so much to be squeezed out of the noble lady. There is a good documentary or novel of colonial life and post-independence in the Gambia from a very sound source that hopefully still awaits interested persons. I really enjoyed this nostalgic interview and pray for many more years of good health and memory intact for Ms. Owens.
Burning Issues : Foroyaa Panaroma Encounter with Mrs. Mary Chapman (Ms. Owens)
By Isatou Bittaye on 10-05-10 (180 reads) News by the same author
In this edition of Foroyaa Panaroma, we have caught up with a retired Teacher, Mrs. Mary Chapman commonly known as Ms. Owens for her to share her experience with our readers,
Foroyaa: Can you please explain yourself to our readers?
Mrs. Champan: My name is Mrs. Mary Chapman but many people knew me as Ms. Owens. I was born in 1913 in Banjul. I started my schooling at the age of five (5) in Wesley School at Dobson Street and I was in the ABC class where we pay one penny a week as school fees. After the ABC class, I then moved to substandard where we pay 6 pence per month and I proceeded to the Girl’s High School. I completed my schooling in 1931 and started teaching as an unqualified teacher in 1932 at the Stanley School. My first salary was one pound and when I got my Teacher Training Certificate, it was increased to one pound, 6 shillings and 8 pence.
I taught at Stanley School for 8 years. I then moved to the Girl’s High School in 1940 where I taught up to 1958. At the Girl’s High School, my salary was two (2) pounds per month. From Girl’s High School, I transferred to the Methodist Preparatory School in 1959 where I was the Headmistress up to 1969. I taught for 37 years in the Methodist Mission and I spent all my life in the field of Education.
Foroyaa: Where did you do your Teacher Training?Mrs. Chapman: I did my training from 1932 to 1933 with Mr. Hamlyn who was the Inspector of schools, Mr. Ebon, Principal of Boys High School, Mr. Walace Cole and Ms. Pratt.
In 1949, I travelled to England for observation of schools and I did some training in Psychology and Kindergarten (Early Childhood Development).
I retired as a school headmistress in 1969 and my pension was 50 pounds but this was increased annually.
Foroyaa: Can you tell us how life was during the colonial era?Mrs. Chapman: Life at that time is different from today because things were very cheap and easy to get. May 24th was the Empire day which was celebrated every year and all the schools were involved. We used to sing at every assembly and the flag of Britain proudly waved over many land and sea. Our national anthem was “God Save the King.” We did also have sports activities after school in the afternoon. During the Second World War in 1939 when Governor Southern Busy Bee was here, we used to go to the Government House to do sewing and I was once the secretary of our group.
Every last Saturday of every month, we used to take provisions to the “Home for the infirm” now call Old People’s home.
Foroyaa: What can you say about Edward Francis Small?Mrs. Chapman: I knew Edward Francis Small as a Trade Unionist. He was the first to start trade unionism in the Gambia. My father was part of his union together with Pa Marie Kebbeh, Lamou Njie and one Pa Gomez. Mr. Koto Richards was once the Secretary to the Union. In 1929, there was a strike by the unionists over payment of wages to workers. The union comprised workers from all areas.
Francis Small was also a journalist; he started the Gambia Outlook and was a famous man. He was also a member of Legislative Council and he did a lot of great things for the Gambia. Mr. Saba Jassey was part of his workers union.
Foroyaa: Can you tell us something about the political developments in the Gambia and struggle for Independence?Mrs. Chapman: During the colonial days, we used to have the same currency and time with England and the time was changed during the war of 1939 to 1945.
In 1951, I travelled to Dakar for holidays and when I returned I was told that there was “Fighting the Kitchen” and that Rev. J.C Faye and Garba Jahumpa were proposing to form political parties.
This proposition was developed and J.C Faye had his own party called the Gambia Democratic Party and Garba Jahumpa formed the Gambia Muslim Congress. They used to have many people backing them and most of their supporters were elderly people.
They were the people among others who led the struggle to independence for the Gambia.
Foroyaa: Where you involved in politics?Mrs. Chapman: I never stood for election and my involvement in politics was limited because I was a head of school and had so many things to do which made me not to be active in politics.
Foroyaa: Where women involved in politics during your days?Mrs. Chapman: Some women were involved in politics and one of them was Lilly Mama Wright.
Foroyaa: Who was the first woman to be nominated in parliament and who was the first to be elected?Mrs. Chapman: Mrs. Sinclair Joof was the first to be nominated and Mrs. Nyimasata Sanneh Bojang was the fist to be elected in parliament. Aunty Louis Njie was also nominated and many others; I cannot remember their names now.
Foroyaa: How were women involved in politics before, were they just there as pawns or were they given the opportunity to play significant roles?Mrs. Chapman: Some got the opportunity to make significant contribution but most were just there as pawns. They used to buy “Asobi” and kept singing and clapping for the men during campaign.
Foroyaa: It is claimed that the irregularities in registration of voters and the corruption and bribery in election started during the colonial days. How true it is?Mrs. Chapman: Well, sometimes, there used to be irregularities or quarrel by supporters of parties especially the supporters of Pierre Njie. The supporters of P.S Njie used to quarrel with those of Jahumpa but the irregularities of voter registration, corruption and bribery did not happen to my knowledge. I was so occupied with my work as a school head and that I had less interest in politics.
Foroyaa: Can you explain how teaching was in those days and what you have achieved as a teacher?
Mrs. Chapman: Teaching before and now are very different. During our days, we did not have many subjects. Our subjects were based on classes and we used to have alphabets, English Grammar, arithmetic, Geography and history. In Standard 3 and below, we used to have dictation, reading, poetry and others.
In schools too, we used to have sports every Wednesday and the girls used to play cricket and netball at the Girl’s High School.
The students are also different with today’s students. As a teacher, I achieved a lot because I was always proud of my students. I earned respect, the students are always happy when they see me. I also feel proud that my students are doing well and contributing to the development of the Gambia. Whenever I learn or hear that they are doing something, I feel proud.
Foroyaa: Do you have people in high positions, that you taught?Mrs. Chapman: Yes, a lot of them, some I have even forgotten. You know I’m old now and cannot remember all. The late C.W. Cole who was once Director of Education, Dr. Alieu Gaye, Mustapha Njie owner of TAF Construction Company, Dr. Mboge of UN were all my students.
You also have the likes of Burang Goreh Njie, Dr. James Carr, Dr. Rhodney Cole, Mr. John Sarr, Lucy Harding, Mrs. Dolley Samba and many others. I taught many people, Oh….most I cannot remember now.
They are all doing well in the Gambia and contributing to the development of the Gambia. I am always proud of them and happy when I learn of what they are doing for the Gambia.
Foroyaa: Thank you very much for sharing your experience.
Mrs. Chapman: It’s a pleasure.
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2010 : 01:59:00
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Thanks, shaka
Interesting life-story, Foroyaa did a good job.
“...During the Second World War in 1939 when Governor Southern Busy Bee was here, we used to go to the Government House to do sewing and I was once the secretary of our group...”
Seems like they made things for the British army.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2010 : 07:33:53
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| Great woman! |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2010 : 12:13:18
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Might I suggest that photograhs and videos should be made during these interviews,it is a great enhancement to the words used to express this ladys memories of past times,live history that MUST be preserved properly and with care,not left to fade away in oblivion and forgotten,great lessons can be learned from history hopefully preventing mistakes being made again.
Some years ago,I had the privilage of having tea with a lady called Winifred in Banjul,her full name I did not know but she later married Mr Sarr who worked at the office of the Ombutsman,she was super in her younger days worked as a teacher in England,I suspect for a good deal of her working life before retiring to The Gambia (Where she was born)her home was made of wood and filled with items from her long life furnished as it was from a time of 50 years ago, many pictures on the wall deep cushioned chairs carpets on the floor,and yes we drunk our tea from bone china cups with milk and sugar.I am sure there are posters here who knew Winifred although alas I fear that she may longer be with us as it was a few years ago.
If you did know Winifred consider sharing your memories of her and giving fuller information about her as what I have was based on only one meeting,I expect that there are quite a few Old Banjulians" here who remember Lancaster Street, Haddington Street llewelin Street, and all the rest of the old stuff,yes YOU are history now !!
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2010 : 21:01:08
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| Great points. I hope somebody would do us A great service and provide us a documented footage of another encounter with Ms. Owens. |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2010 : 21:07:03
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| "Governor Southern Busy Bee" What catchy name!!!! |
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shaka
996 Posts |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2010 : 22:32:28
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Do I not remember that the museum in Tanji or Banjul were doing a history project ? perhaps they could help,anyone got contacts?
quote:
Originally posted by shaka
Great points. I hope somebody would do us A great service and provide us a documented footage of another encounter with Ms. Owens.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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