Surprising Baba Galleh (never an intention of mine)

“Suntou, you really never fail to surprise me.” Galleh
With hindsight, my first impulse was to ignore that above statement. Bearing in mind the way I found Baba Galleh’s materials. Not all of them entirely. When someone said, you surprise me, every critical reader will know that statement is an incomplete remark.
I surprise you in what ways? Can I be accorded the privilege to know at least how a giant of Gambian literati circle find’s me surprising. I was puzzled and bemused as to what Galleh found profound or distasteful to react the way he did.
I wanted to ignore the remarks for one main reason. From where I am reading from, Galleh exposed himself to be oversensitive, distant and aloof of critical observations. He exposed a side to him; I for one would have never attributed or associated to him in a long shot.
I have known a while ago that paying too much attention on Gambian related matters can created unhealthy atmosphere especially with complicated undercurrent of vibes few are able to do away with. Writing is complex, and readers can take from a piece what the writer never intended.
Galleh’s comment threatens a side which arouse serious fears in me. That is, see my writings the way I am comfortable with or else? From the many materials that Galleh place in our public forums, some of the topics or subjects have similitude with what other writers have observed in the past.
The Village Idiot for instance was perfected by Nostradamus many decades ago. In fact one would find some making insinuations that, the village idiot is George Bush, and other writers explain it otherwise. Therefore communicating to us ideas that Galleh intended to throw us all in whirlwind of deep thinking should not then be a problem when people have a complete independent analysis of such materials.
Galleh’s major writings are ‘innuendo pros’ so far as the poems and satires are concern. From the kingpins of satire writings, the French philosopher who perfected the art to Galleh and co today, we the readers are left with little options but to see observations in our own way. That is the liberty the writer is suppose to leave at our disposal.
Now coming to what I thought may have caused Baba to react the way he did. I suspect it may have been the statement I made regarding ‘you never know about the kotokes’. Since Galleh didn’t made clear what I did that often surprises him, I can only assume that could be the trigger for his incomplete statements.
Galleh is very familiar with Mandinggo terminologies hence he knows what ‘kotoke’ means. I used kotoke in a jovial jibe at Haruna who I have a relax informal relationship with. I am not close to Baba Galleh, never has been. I don’t have an informal relationship with him. That is why I always formally agree with his thoughts with no fuss.
I and Haruna discuss the code name Jawula on few occasions here (Gambia L). It was a part of that code that the light hearted remark emanates. kotoke here refers to Haruna not Baba Galleh.

“I truly don't want to believe what my senses are beginning to tell me. I hope I'm wrong.” Baba Galleh

It is human that we assume things of each other. Sometimes our inner suspicion of each other’s motives sends us spiralling to dark pit of wrong conclusions. I take that statement to mean, Is suntou trying to disrespect me? If so, not at all.
Kathryn Armbruster’s Poem ‘I AM’ she made a remarkable statement
“I understand not everyone has compassion for the mighty”. I for one respect the elders, but can also be critical if need be.
In Elsie Prettyman’s famous poem ‘Things not Said’ she said
“the time to say a word flies by, that time again will not come”.
And close to the end of the poem she also said “Harsh words can hurt but those not said leaves void, too, that can’t be filled”.

Finally, I will end my response with the poem of B. Begeman
WRITERS BLOCK
“Cascade of thoughts
Images and ideas flowing together in a river of words
Only to be damned by a blank white pages
Leaving a stagnant pond in the bottom of a creek
Begging for a trickle or at least a drop”.

If i have anything to apologise for, is seeing Gambian writing fascinating and trying to celebrate the words from our little land. In the case of Gallehh, my fault was to find some of his materials educative and entertaining and doing the extra bit by expressing my own thoughts on them. Since this can cause offense and unexpected reactions. The best option is avoid materials and writers whose surprise packages at my thorny remarks has the potentials of damaging a non-existence brotherhood.

UDP SERREKUNDA MEETING VIDEO

The links to all the meeting videos:


The meetings are divided in English, Mandinka and Wollof.

Part 1/7: The introduction and fan fare before the meeting commences.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K60Rf3Et3qA&feature=related

Part 2/7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQvkVe2aQRQ&feature=related

Part 3/7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPr2Z_pogZc&feature=channel

Part 4/7: The UDP leader spoke in English in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT-7iwdpB6Q&feature=channel

Part 5/7 This speech is in Mandinka. Darboe talked extensively on Yahya personalising the institutions of the Gambia. Calling things by the name of Yahya's daughter and son. The practise of making civil servants work for Yahya like slaves. The farm managers of Yahya are mostly soldiers. Darboe also talk at length on the difficulty farmers are facing in every evenue of their work. The leader state that Gambians should feel sorry for themselves,as the price of basic commodities are unaffordable. Darboe commend the collective leadership of the Gambian opposition. To me that is a brave stance, as politics is never about highlighting the strength of an opponent. The diffifculty the Kombomkas are facing at the hand of the governement. He said Kombo is now lacking farm lands, he said the government has taken wide areas of lands from the people of Kombo central making them tourism development area and housing estate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL9b0ETTK3k&feature=channel

Part 6/7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG6izc9pjcI&feature=channel

Part 7 of 7http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwaQxogVrgM&feature=channel

Alh. Ousainou Darboe in action. Brilliant talk and brave in addressing relevant issues at the time. The meeting culminated in the arrest of Femi Peters. An unlawful action to say the least.
The UDp leader's speech was vibrant and personate, we want more of this.

Fragile Hearts---- Silence Please

It is puzzling reading some Gambian writers expressing fears in the discussions of political issues especially opposition politicians. If the leaders are ready to lead, what sort of discussion will affect their intentions to unite or form a coalition?
I am baffled by all this warnings of us regular writers of the affairs of opposition politicians seen as spoilers of unity efforts.
Give us a break. If Halifa wish to bring ideas tantamount to stalemate in all talks, what should we do now? Be quiet until the matters fails to materialise?
I am also equally disturbed by the backing of Essa Bokar Sey of Halifa's misguided Agenda 2011. Did Essa read the last few paragraph of the piece before risking his name to a documents that will fail to convince the biggest sycophants of Halifa.
How can people who don't support the Agenda be exempted from voting in a primary to select a united opposition leader?
How can each person convince 50 people, who will then make contact with Halifa before voting in the primaries?
Halifa is promoting an undemocratic document which will be rejected by the biggest opposition party.
Halifa doesn't have support in the Gambia. Why should he think that, doing a primary will favour him over others? He lose his Serrekunda seat cheaply yet, he continue bringing unworkable ideas promoting it has the ultimate for a successful union.
I am baffled by Essa's write-up on this matter. I enjoy reading all his materials but his latest is a mistake and a miscalculation to say the least.
The UDP don't mind going on a primary with Halifa, they know he will lose spectacularly but the efforts will cost money and waste valuable time. Instead of Halifa promoting disingenuous materials as the solution, let him come and back a UDP led coalition. He will have his rightful place and ideas which can buttress all other efforts. The Gambia require smaller efforts not grand pronouncement leading to false hopes and back stabbings.
The complicated nature of our situation makes the whole affairs stinks. Our leaders don't require baby sitting. Let us talk, and agree or disagree. That is the way to bring the best in us. Thin skin or thick skin, we are all subsceptible to emotional tantrums. But the bigger picture is that, we need to take a back seat when discussing the Gambia. Getting angry and fuming is not the solution.
I advise that, those promoting the Agenda 2011 read the last eight paragraph. They will see the clear tricks in the paper. No sane opposition politician will even comptemplate backing such ideas.

Attending a Wedding in London

I am in the hectic East end of London today. I manage to visit most of the places i live during my long stay in london. But the suprise of all is when the person whose wedding I am attending told me to conduct the religious side of the program just one hour before the actual program.
What do i say? This are new couples. Should i say go ahead and enjoy the honeymoon before things get serious? Help me.
Laugh. Anyway, I am having a good time with my family, a day out before school commenses.