Gambians home and abroad have joined the family and band of Kora King Jaliba Kuyateh to mourn the death of Babadinding Kuyateh. The younger brother of Jaliba died in New York onOctober 1st while on tour with Jaliba & the Kumareh Band. His death came after that of the band’s drummer Nyaw Nying last year. The Kora Maestro lost his elder brother in 1995 while in France. Lamin Kuyateh’s untimely death shocked Jaliba to the bone. He had earlier told Kairo Radio how Lamin’s death had dampened his spirits. Both brothers had contributed immensely to the sucess of Jaliba & the Kumareh Band.
Gambians in the diaspora have deeply mourned Babadinding’s death. They raised funds to send his body to the Gambiance where he was buried.
In a statemental published on its Facebook page, Jaliba Global Fans Club thanked Gambians for their solidarity and support. Read the statement below:
We can’t thank you all enough!
We would like to thank the general public, Jaliba fans and the Jaliba Global Fans members for all the duas, and the handsome contributions towards ‘The Fund for late Babadinding Kuyateh’. Words cannot express our deepest appreciation for your undiluted support during these tough times in the Kuyateh family and in the Kumareh Band. We are also please to inform all and sundry that the dead body, together with the members of the Kumareh Band, departed New York, Friday, heading back to The Gambia. We are extremely, grateful to all those who have contributed towards their airfares through the GoFundMe, Baboucarr Manjang’s account, and JGFC account in America. We ask, Allah SWT to reward you all abundantly.
Within a span of exactly 5days, we raised £3, 461, through the GoFundMe, alone. £745, was paid in Baboucarr Manjang’s account and $860, was paid in JGFC’s account in America. These contributions came from individuals whom we cannot thank enough for their generosity. This is how things stand in terms of the donations collected at the time of making this post. Meanwhile, if people still want to donate to the ‘Fund for late Babadinding Kuyateh’, can do so, either through the Jaliba Global Fans Club, or can send it directly to his family in The Gambia.
We thank you all for your generosity.
Kairo News and Radio extend sympathy to Jaliba and the family for losing a very instrumental and determined brother and band member. May the soul of Babadinding rest in Eternal Peace.
Ends