NADD (National Alliance For Democracy & Development)
Cooler heads are prevailing in the Gambian political climate. The signing today at the Palm Grove Hotel of a memorandum of understanding between opposition parties culminating in the formation of a coalition is a watershed event in Gambian politics. With any luck, the same maturity and diligence will lead to the selection of a coalition bearer to rid the nation of a tyranny that has been going on for ten years too long.
The coalition should have in mind that getting rid of entrenched dictatorships is no cakewalk. In that respect they should choose someone with gusto to lead them. Throwing in the towel before any irregularities are ironed out ala ousainou darbo is not going to cut it. Stepping into the leadership role is a life and death decision. Timid and the faint of heart need not apply. I shall make further comments on this issue as the story unfolds; but at the moment I will like to congratulate the opposition parties for their efforts in taking a step towards eradicating totalitarianism from the Gambia.
Before/after the arrival of Islam in manding, most of the residents of that kingdom are adherents of traditional african religions.The society was feudal. You have the king lineage, the griots, the servants, teachers etc. Oral history has it that the ceesays, tourays, janneh's and comas happened to interact first with the islamic scholars from arabia. They learn the Quran and other teachings of the prophet mohamed. They in turn serve as the scribes, and teachers to the rest of their kin folk. Thus Mori... meaning scholar or teacher.
This is all very interesting to me. Is there anywhere I can find more information on Gambian / Mandinka / African culture, in general? During my visit to The Gambia, either I didn't get this information, or it was presented to me, but somehow it didn't sink in. There was just so much I was trying to take in. Most of the history I remember focusin on was how Africans were wronged by white people, I don't remember the actual culture being talked about. Which to me, was quite disappointing. But then again, there were so many things I was trying to learn and take in and all, that some of it might have missed me. I have a terrible problem with things just plain going over my head sometimes. Anyway, thanks so much for answering my questions.
With regards to sources of African history, it is not a whole lot of written volumes out there. Most of ancient african history is not written but oral, passed from one generation to another. However, a very informative history book written by a Ghanian professor is out there.It is the book I read in high school. If my memory serves me right it is called "the history of west africa since ad 1000". The name of the author I belive is F.K Buah. I hope this help and good luck in your search for it. You never know amazon might have it in stock.
But anyway, maybe you could write a post expounding on "the home of the mandinmories". Just a thought. Anyway, gotta go, I can't believe I'm actually tired at 10 at night, if you've read my blog, maybe you mgiht know that sleep for me has been hard to come by at times, or my sleeping schedule tends to be eratic at times. Have started taking melatonin supplements to try to regulate it. But anyway, am straying off in to antoher topic. I think this is a nice blog, and maybe other Gmabians will be inspired to create blogs of their own. Take care.