I am looking for credible and reliable information on the micro finance sector in the Gambia. Anyone out there who has factual and suitable information on Gambias micro finance should please contact me. I will be grateful for that data. I am pursuing the information in different ways, so here i am making a personal plea for data. I will give credit were it is due in all remit of intellectual rules.
I wish to look into the Islamic acceptable form of poverty alleviation, since the existing micro finance sector deal in interest and that is forbidden for Muslims. If the Gambia can adopt the Bangladesh approach which is world famous and effective in reducing chronic poverty, yet Islamically complaint.
Contact me by email on suntou@btinternet.com or bolonba@googlemail.com.
you can electronically send me the info, or i can pay for postal sending.
Monday, 29 December 2008
Saturday, 27 December 2008
HAROLD PINTER Nobel prize speech. Thought provocking
If you love literature marvel at the writings of the late Harold Pinter. watch this video, it is his nobel prize for literature acceptance speech. The speech embodied his life and work. His final stance against the powers that be, their arrogance and apparent double standards. "there is one truth" he said.
http://nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=620
http://nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=620
Friday, 26 December 2008
Generating Value through Absteenance
One thing that puzzle me among the Online Gambian community is the apparent lack of involvement of people in dialogue made easy by the Internet forums. Folks like me may be seen to be having too free time to waste, thus our continuous engagements online. Nothing is further from the truth.
I read once in Robert Green's little book on the wisdom of leadership that, "leaders can generate value for themselves by abstaining from public view". This is indeed true. But when the people engaging in dialogue are the average ordinary man and woman, i wonder why so many just read and say nothing? It is a fact that Gambians are hooked and regularly read news and other online discussions. Yet, folks with PHD, MBA, MSC, MA, BSC etc stay away being too important to engage.
Academic certificates doesn't equate knowledge. A PhD is not the end in itself, but the means to further academic institutions and recognitions. The scores of Gambians with PhD's tend to be more aloof than many, they tend to be less proactive in the community forums, why? The only answer could be because they see their PhD as the ultimate achievement in learning and thus they wouldn't want any nonentity to spoil their status or credibility. This is a wrongs and inept reasoning. Among top bloggers are renown professors who engage with people regularly, They educate and are at the same time educated by others.
Unless Gambians who believe they are educated start open up and engage with the masses, elitism will always be the order of the day. People want others to celebrate them, held them in high esteem yet they are unproductive with their minds to their fellow country men and women! How ironical.
The fact is whether you have Masters or PhD, is not relevant if it only benefit you and don't share what you know with others. You will do good and improve more if you share and interact with people of your background. They know you better and will challenge you succinctly in perspective. Yes, people can get personal, but which country's people don't?
I am all for dialoguing and interacting. I only started writing online two years ago. I enjoy it, and will God-willing scribble my little sense. You will generate better value and true professionalism by engaging rather than self-imposed absenteeism. Write whatever you know, people will benefit.
I read once in Robert Green's little book on the wisdom of leadership that, "leaders can generate value for themselves by abstaining from public view". This is indeed true. But when the people engaging in dialogue are the average ordinary man and woman, i wonder why so many just read and say nothing? It is a fact that Gambians are hooked and regularly read news and other online discussions. Yet, folks with PHD, MBA, MSC, MA, BSC etc stay away being too important to engage.
Academic certificates doesn't equate knowledge. A PhD is not the end in itself, but the means to further academic institutions and recognitions. The scores of Gambians with PhD's tend to be more aloof than many, they tend to be less proactive in the community forums, why? The only answer could be because they see their PhD as the ultimate achievement in learning and thus they wouldn't want any nonentity to spoil their status or credibility. This is a wrongs and inept reasoning. Among top bloggers are renown professors who engage with people regularly, They educate and are at the same time educated by others.
Unless Gambians who believe they are educated start open up and engage with the masses, elitism will always be the order of the day. People want others to celebrate them, held them in high esteem yet they are unproductive with their minds to their fellow country men and women! How ironical.
The fact is whether you have Masters or PhD, is not relevant if it only benefit you and don't share what you know with others. You will do good and improve more if you share and interact with people of your background. They know you better and will challenge you succinctly in perspective. Yes, people can get personal, but which country's people don't?
I am all for dialoguing and interacting. I only started writing online two years ago. I enjoy it, and will God-willing scribble my little sense. You will generate better value and true professionalism by engaging rather than self-imposed absenteeism. Write whatever you know, people will benefit.
IT IS FRIDAY
Today is Friday, a day of Juma. May God make it easy for us all to attend the Friday prayers. We pray that this Christmas pass peacefully without any drink driving accident. May God guide the souls of all mankind into his eternal bliss.
Another sad merry go-round in Africa. The ignorant fools leading the way. The military junta in Guinea. I wonder whether there is a blue print that they can use to rule? Men that just descended from the barracks, with very limited educational background and absolutely very little diplomatic or professional training stirring a whole country. What is it that Guineans expect? Our case in the Gambia is perfect example. Yahya originally came for two years, now that is 15 years still he is angry over nothing. He has built in his mind that he and his tribe were victimised and denied access to everything in the previous regime. He still believes to remain in power without term limits will salvage and further push the masses into oblivion. That is a gross error of judgement. More Gambians are getting qualified and capable than before. No amount of exclusion or arrogance will stop decent people progressing.
It is Friday, a day Jammeh came upon Gambians. And also the Junta in Guinea. Lord save us from the evils of the African Army. Amen.
Another sad merry go-round in Africa. The ignorant fools leading the way. The military junta in Guinea. I wonder whether there is a blue print that they can use to rule? Men that just descended from the barracks, with very limited educational background and absolutely very little diplomatic or professional training stirring a whole country. What is it that Guineans expect? Our case in the Gambia is perfect example. Yahya originally came for two years, now that is 15 years still he is angry over nothing. He has built in his mind that he and his tribe were victimised and denied access to everything in the previous regime. He still believes to remain in power without term limits will salvage and further push the masses into oblivion. That is a gross error of judgement. More Gambians are getting qualified and capable than before. No amount of exclusion or arrogance will stop decent people progressing.
It is Friday, a day Jammeh came upon Gambians. And also the Junta in Guinea. Lord save us from the evils of the African Army. Amen.
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Jarabe or Diaraby. A mandingo love song.
As kids from Mandingo background, we are made to feel that our language is too stiff to accommodate jokes and triviality. And indeed Mandingo language is too unaccommodating to 'chanting talks'. Especially in the area of expressing love. Young mandinka boys employ all kinds of love verbs and adjective to express their love to a woman of their choice.
This claim is not general to every one, as some men can express themselves in whatever language and at whatever occasion. But the mandinka language and expressions are such that if you don't understand key proverbs and sayings, you may put yourself in a very uncomfortable situation.
Also, may be the difficulty for Mandingo boys to express their love to a women in mandinka can be due to the strict upbringing and cultural values. I am of course talking about my Provence's mandinka society, but i assume all mandinka communities has many things in common. Yet, if one attempt to say for instance to a girl, i Love you in mandinka; it will go as follows: hnla fita ila or Nyhee ikanu leh. This doesn't sound passionate. But in wolof instance, the words flow naturally and passionately, just like French is said to be more romantic than English.
But then the experts in Mandingo language like Janko and the like can reject the claims. They know words that can equally flatter a lady just like wolof can.
Yet Mandingo is not on it own in terms of rigidity, Sarahuleh also tend to be rigid. I remember in our childhood at primary school when we want to express our kid love to the sarahuleh girls, the choice of word is so difficult, it put you off expressing anything 'i love you'.
But expression in words can be handled by the masters of it. I came across a song by Ali Farka And another singer about expression of love in mandinka. here is the link.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3l5KZVte6iY&feature=related ali farka
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cdaJeGcNKIg oumou sankareh.
There are many Mandingo love songs, the version are mainly in the Diaraby or jaraby tune. Diarabe mean infatuated or extreme love. Like if you can't go without someone. A love that must work whatever it takes, whether it means cuting ties with ones family or Friends, the love must work. No wonder jaraby is always a hit. Although my curiocity is to satisfy an appropriate Mandingo words to once in a while express my undying love for my wife. I came across diaraby and also someone emailed the jaraby link for me to translate for him. The dialectical differences sometimes make it difficult to have an appropriate word, but then with time i will get the correct translation into English. Mean while, i say to my wife; Hne ikanu leh.
This claim is not general to every one, as some men can express themselves in whatever language and at whatever occasion. But the mandinka language and expressions are such that if you don't understand key proverbs and sayings, you may put yourself in a very uncomfortable situation.
Also, may be the difficulty for Mandingo boys to express their love to a women in mandinka can be due to the strict upbringing and cultural values. I am of course talking about my Provence's mandinka society, but i assume all mandinka communities has many things in common. Yet, if one attempt to say for instance to a girl, i Love you in mandinka; it will go as follows: hnla fita ila or Nyhee ikanu leh. This doesn't sound passionate. But in wolof instance, the words flow naturally and passionately, just like French is said to be more romantic than English.
But then the experts in Mandingo language like Janko and the like can reject the claims. They know words that can equally flatter a lady just like wolof can.
Yet Mandingo is not on it own in terms of rigidity, Sarahuleh also tend to be rigid. I remember in our childhood at primary school when we want to express our kid love to the sarahuleh girls, the choice of word is so difficult, it put you off expressing anything 'i love you'.
But expression in words can be handled by the masters of it. I came across a song by Ali Farka And another singer about expression of love in mandinka. here is the link.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3l5KZVte6iY&feature=related ali farka
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cdaJeGcNKIg oumou sankareh.
There are many Mandingo love songs, the version are mainly in the Diaraby or jaraby tune. Diarabe mean infatuated or extreme love. Like if you can't go without someone. A love that must work whatever it takes, whether it means cuting ties with ones family or Friends, the love must work. No wonder jaraby is always a hit. Although my curiocity is to satisfy an appropriate Mandingo words to once in a while express my undying love for my wife. I came across diaraby and also someone emailed the jaraby link for me to translate for him. The dialectical differences sometimes make it difficult to have an appropriate word, but then with time i will get the correct translation into English. Mean while, i say to my wife; Hne ikanu leh.
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Mali Sarjo Version Three
The third version of Mali Sarjo bring the epic to a close. For me the epic involves reviving the childhood stories i was told. And it is tradition to pass on the little we remember. I have to give credit to an Australian Man who became equally fascinated with this Manden epic story. After reading the part one, he contacted me and ask that i look into other versions, which i did. After the version two, he again emailed requesting that i further look into more versions.
Indeed as a passionate Mandingo, i took it upon myself to satisfy a non-Mandingo's curiosity into this fascinating event. There i knew he may have heard a version that i am not privy to. At that point, i did what Bob Marley said, "bend down low let me tell you what i know". Intellectualism demands humility and research. I ask that he brief me of what he knows about the Mali Sarjo epic.
He narrated this version i am now sharing with you. His pen name is Drew. Thank you for narrations
Mali Sarjo
Bafula is a town in the west of Mali, were the Senegal river forms two tributaries. Bafula is said to be in the Kayes region, the heartland of both the mandinke and Khasonke people.
Once upon a time, in the bafula, a pregnant woman went to the river to do the laundry. All the women were doing as is the custom to draw water, to bath and do the laundry. This woman was carrying a child. A hippo befriended the woman and called; hey you woman! that child you are carrying if it is a girl, i will make her my friend and if he became a boy i make him my friend.
The woman drew water and return home. Soon she gave birth to a girl, the child began to crawl and walk.
Eventually the child came to the river to wash dishes. The hippo launched a jet of water and called out to the girl. Hey child! its you that your mother carried inside her. I vowed to her: I will make you a friend.
Tiatio the girl became a beautiful young woman that many great suitors start eyeing she turn them all down. In addition, her parents and contenders cannot understand the friendship between a girl and a male hippo. Her parents wonder how to marry a girl with such a strange and notorious friendship.
They consult with the elders, one of whom was a Sinbo, a great hunter, who himself was interested in the girl. After a while, it was decided they would kill the hippo. When this was announced, the girl threaten she would kill herself. But no one one took the threat seriously. The men went out to seek the hippo and they shot it. That day, Tiatio also died.
The song was composed: Hali koro te kani mila, bemow ye koro sila kanina (friendship between two men or two women is accepted, but when a woman and man become friends, this is badly interpreted).
The hippo is describe to be having white legs, and was well loved. Some other narrated that the hippo use to warn the villagers of impending dangers. Every one of Maniba cries were interpreted by the wise elders of the village. some say a french commander by the name Cauchon shot the hippo because he was constantly disturb by its loud cries.
Others say, the village head hunter Minangouron Diallo killed it but cunningly convince the people that Cauchon had done the killing.
Indeed as a passionate Mandingo, i took it upon myself to satisfy a non-Mandingo's curiosity into this fascinating event. There i knew he may have heard a version that i am not privy to. At that point, i did what Bob Marley said, "bend down low let me tell you what i know". Intellectualism demands humility and research. I ask that he brief me of what he knows about the Mali Sarjo epic.
He narrated this version i am now sharing with you. His pen name is Drew. Thank you for narrations
Mali Sarjo
Bafula is a town in the west of Mali, were the Senegal river forms two tributaries. Bafula is said to be in the Kayes region, the heartland of both the mandinke and Khasonke people.
Once upon a time, in the bafula, a pregnant woman went to the river to do the laundry. All the women were doing as is the custom to draw water, to bath and do the laundry. This woman was carrying a child. A hippo befriended the woman and called; hey you woman! that child you are carrying if it is a girl, i will make her my friend and if he became a boy i make him my friend.
The woman drew water and return home. Soon she gave birth to a girl, the child began to crawl and walk.
Eventually the child came to the river to wash dishes. The hippo launched a jet of water and called out to the girl. Hey child! its you that your mother carried inside her. I vowed to her: I will make you a friend.
Tiatio the girl became a beautiful young woman that many great suitors start eyeing she turn them all down. In addition, her parents and contenders cannot understand the friendship between a girl and a male hippo. Her parents wonder how to marry a girl with such a strange and notorious friendship.
They consult with the elders, one of whom was a Sinbo, a great hunter, who himself was interested in the girl. After a while, it was decided they would kill the hippo. When this was announced, the girl threaten she would kill herself. But no one one took the threat seriously. The men went out to seek the hippo and they shot it. That day, Tiatio also died.
The song was composed: Hali koro te kani mila, bemow ye koro sila kanina (friendship between two men or two women is accepted, but when a woman and man become friends, this is badly interpreted).
The hippo is describe to be having white legs, and was well loved. Some other narrated that the hippo use to warn the villagers of impending dangers. Every one of Maniba cries were interpreted by the wise elders of the village. some say a french commander by the name Cauchon shot the hippo because he was constantly disturb by its loud cries.
Others say, the village head hunter Minangouron Diallo killed it but cunningly convince the people that Cauchon had done the killing.
In this version three, the village name became known and the time line seems to fall in the period of western advancement in Africa. The name of the girl is also mention. Those are revealing parts of the story.
This is the end of the version three.
GANDA FADIGA. A MARAKA MUSICAIN
Ganda fadiga.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5g1ph_ganda-fadiga-maitre-baba-kone-fanta_music
He is the older man speaking with a green kaftan and a kontin. He is more of a poet than a musician. he is speaking in sarahuleh. This man is influencial in the sarahuleh community, the wealthy will do anything for him to compose a song about them.
The marakas or sarahulehs love this man. he knows their history and traditions. He is widely travelled. he can equally sing in other malian languages. The clip is both malinke and sarahuleh beating, the sarahulehs prefer the kontin, a small handheld instrument with strings.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5g1ph_ganda-fadiga-maitre-baba-kone-fanta_music
He is the older man speaking with a green kaftan and a kontin. He is more of a poet than a musician. he is speaking in sarahuleh. This man is influencial in the sarahuleh community, the wealthy will do anything for him to compose a song about them.
The marakas or sarahulehs love this man. he knows their history and traditions. He is widely travelled. he can equally sing in other malian languages. The clip is both malinke and sarahuleh beating, the sarahulehs prefer the kontin, a small handheld instrument with strings.
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