The approachable and down to earth griot commonly and fondly nicknamed Jali Seattle discusses the history of Fulladou, Toumana, and the then fortress of Tambasansang. Pa Suso, who is based in the United States, elaborates on his own personal heritage. In that he stated that Jalis (griots) of the past […]
Culture
Origin Of The Word ‘Aku’
By Yusef Taylor ‘Aku a ye seneya‘ [wash it until it is clean] is a Mandingo phrase. Apparently this is where the name Aku name originates from. The Akus are an African tribe in The Gambia that are descendants of freed slaves. Akus mostly go by the last names such […]
What About Love
By Momodou Ndow Do you remember that someone in your adolescent years who made your heart thump and hands sweat? Seeing them became terrifying and exhilarating. Would you see them at school? See them in the street? You hoped and prayed. But when your wishes were granted, and you got […]
A Calming Fulbe Music: Love That Never Ends
Moumounie Bande sings ‘Yidde Nde Timmata’ (meaning Love that Never Ends in Fula parlance) from her album ‘Alla yo Lobbo’ (God is Good). Moumounie Bande and her husband Zakariya Bah are Fulani artists living in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This YouTube video was filmed in a Fulani village near Lumbila, 20km […]
TUVAA Celebrates Africa Cultural Day
The United Voice of African Associations (TUVAA) is inviting the general public to its first ever African cultural day celebration in Southampton in the United Kingdom on November 29th, 2014. TUVAA, an umbrella organisation of African groups within the Hampshire County Council, aims to foster strong linkages between various African […]
Radio Show Today: Diaspora Talking Points
Natariko radio show today deals with many issues. First things first, the historical narration of the Kabou/Futa battle and the exchanges leading to the battle final fall of Kansala. Almamy Bakary of Futa Timbo and Mama Janky Wally of Kabou had heated exchanges before tthe final battle of Kansala. Our […]
Historian Digs Into History of Kombo
“A society that has been denied the ability to tell and understand its history is doomed.” Musa Saidykhan The local history of different regions in the Gambia is mostly contentious but the story needs to be told. It is in this regard that a lecturer of the University of the […]
Africa: The Search For Identity
The great African writer, Ngugi wa Thiong’o in his book, Decolonising the Mind, asserts the importance of language, the mother tongue, in a statement which I think is still valid today. And I quote: “How did we, as African writers, come to be so feeble towards the claims of our […]
Demarcating Blurred Frontiers Of Manding World And An Inquest Into Internal Dynamics
By Dodou Jawneh Inspiration for the article The article was written partly as an inspiration by Margit Smith’s work entitled Mande Kora published by University of Maine at Augusta. This work provided details of one German woman’s experience in learning to become a full fledge jalimusu. Her tutors included Jali […]
Drums Can Speak: Jaliba’s Legendary Drummer Explains
Kairo Radio is filled with rich cultural performances all day today. We are featuring the legendary drummer for Jaliba Kuyateh with his own drumming variations from the Manden repertoire. Omar Camara alias ‘General’ is from a family of drummers, and he carried the profession with him to Brikama, where Jaliba […]
Jaliba Set To Thrill Gambia Gambians In UK Mega Concerts
Famous Gambian Kora maestro Jaliba Kuyateh has begun a tour of the United Kingdom, where he is expected to thrill Gambians, thanks to the efforts of UK-based Gambian Associations such as the Gambia United Society (GUS) and Yaram Arts, a social enterprise promoting Senegambian Culture. For the first time ever, […]
The Whys of Jaliba’s Coronation
Why coronating Jaliba Kuyateh, Why Now, Why Kombo Sillah, Why Bristol and why Dr Nick Maurice? Of what difference would it make to shout at the sun with the oration “oh too hot you are”? If not but to affect lungs, it would prompt those indisposed to sunlight to look […]