Kelefa Sanneh
The contrasting story of the life of Kelifa Sanneh. Kelefa Sanneh was prince in a province of Kabuu. An area referred to as Badora Brikama. The two narrations by eminent Mandinka bards ie Bamba Suso and Shirif Jebate.
I read the accounts in a book given to me by the Stchool of Oriental and African studies (SAOS). As a Mandinka, i approached them for books about historical and anthropological nature dealing with the mandingo people. I was surprised when the publication office offered to give me free the book about the life of Kelefa. this book was compiled by Gordon Innes University of London 1978.
The other book i am inline to receive in six months time is that of E.C Rowlands, mandingo grammar book.
It is my hobby to read history of the of mandingo society. It happens that the old kabbu empire was destroyed in and around 1860. So it will be interesting to know which period Kelefa operates. One thing is known, that is his encounter with Mansa Demba Sonko of Nuimi.
Demba Sonko is a late 18 century ruler in Nuimi which place kelefa life and career round about that time. He may have existed after the fall of the Kabuu Empire. The reason being the Jalis don’t mention the centre of Kabuu kings Kansala in Kelefa’s life story.
Kabbu was famous for Kansala has its capital. Kelefa’s life story is talked about and songs sang about it. But it seems that he was just a warrior who arose from a small area control by his uncle not the story of a mandinka warrior in the old kabbu empire. His life story is full of bravery and disdain for authority. He was brave to face death even though he knew he may loss his life in the battle at Jokadu Barrier. He will remain a mystified figure for years to come. The songs about Kelefa’s life are, Kelefa Sanneh, kuruntu kelefa and kelefa Sanneh taki sabo.
18 comments:
nice blog, there are many Demba Sonkos. in the most part of the 19th century Nuimi was ruled by two Demba Sonko. the later was Demba Adam Sonko. Kelefa probably worked for him. the first died in 1862 around the time Kansala was destroyed.
Suntou
Koring, thank you for higlighting the existence of more Mansa Demba's in Niumi.
History is an interesting topic, what one accept as correct may end up turning out to be slightly wrong. i hope you elaborate further next time you visit. I am assuming that Kelefa came later after the fall of the Kabuu empire. is this assertion wrong or correct?
Hi SUNTOU,
I also learn that one of the warrior of Sun jatta keita of mali called Amari Sonko, who conquered Village he came across around Badibou and Nium where he established the Sonko dynastic...........i learn this on coming of mandinka's to the senegambia region...am i right?
My name is Lalo Kanteh
Tribe Mandinko
Nationality Gambian
Region or Division North Bank Badibou
Brother Lalo Abarakah, I also heard that story before. It may take time but i will try to confirm it with a Gambian who is very verse on sunjata history. Sonko is long standing mandinka family name. i started a discussion two years ago on the meanins of Gambian family names. can you tell us what Kanteh means if you don't mind. I am embarking on my dessertation right now, but after completion, it is my intention to gather as many Mandinka family names as possible and find out what they meant and their roots. help me if you can lalo. Thanks again.
Nice to hear that! Am very happy to joined your this wonderful site......You want to know more about Gambian surname i believe any surname in the Gambia have a meaning..if i know anything i will tell you and i promised to ask people as well.
1)Bambaneh Kanteh or Kanteh Mambaneh means Kanteh Baby sitter.
2)Kanteh Numuh mean Kanteh's are black smith....hehehhe although am not a smith but the surname have something do with it...it might be my grand grand father who deceased long ago!
Thank Lalo. Numos are good skilled professionals. now the trade may be deminishing due to people utilising westernise tools insteads of our local mades. It is a trade to be proud of.
Kanteh Bambakana, that is what i thought it was call, thanks for stating it correctly.
Hi Suntoumana,
You are right about that! people now a days in the Gambia are not practicing their culture....I always follow up the program in the Radio and Tv het ti ndaanan
Please if you need any history of someone, ethnic group please tell me i think i have bit knowledge since i completed my senior secondary school history career
Take care
Lalo
I am very ineterested in Gambian history and traditions Lalo. we can start by doing a bit of discussion on an area familair to you, for example Niomi. who were the rulers and how did succession happen?
Also, we can try to put the legacy of the Marabouts fighters like foday Kaba in perspective. was he merciless as they say?
thanks
Salam brother
Sorry i was so busy with exams, i forgot to tell you that i was on my final exams....i finished it 20th may Wednesday.....now am some how free i will write more here
Am real sorry
No problem Lalo. I am now focusing my attention on Kelefa and Nfamara Manneh or ngoyi Manneh his soninke name. I am writing a small scrip on the life of Nfamara manneh. Kelefa's travels from Kabu to the Gambia is also an interest of mine. so feel free to comment as much you wish. Thanks a lot and i hope the result come out good.
I have a book which provide two different versions of Kelepha's life and death. Unfortunately i have to recheck and comment on it later.
Off head, an oral version narrated by kelepha's daughter's uncle residing in Dakar, name forgtoten for now state that, the truth in kelepha's death is covered in a secret covenant.
Kelepha was killed by the king who hired him to seize the fort of (name forgoten).
Mansa Demba Sonko knew about Kelepha through a jali Madi who travelled from Kaabu to visit patrons. Jali Madi went to play Kora for Mansa Demba, the king of Niumi when he learnt that, the king was trying to takeover a settlement across the river for days without any success.
The griout then started playing Kelepha's song and enquired from the king as to whether he knew whose song he was playing. The king couldn't tell, it was then that, Jali Madi said to the king, the owner of the song is tougher and braver man than you. He can seize control of that fort without any problem. the griout compared King Demba to Kelepha in a parrable of a (well and a river).
Mansa Demba then invited kelepha who was then residing in Kian Tankularr, the mid of Gambia. Kelepha before settling down had looked for war but to no avail. So when Mandsa Demba contacted him to fight for him, he was trill beyond belief.
He set a date and visited Mansa Demba in Niumi. But since the war rules were govern by soothsayers and fortune tellers. Mansa Demba contacted the oracles to see what are his troops furtunes like. the oraclers it is said, indicated that Kelepha will surely takeover the fort but that he will die there.
Mansa Demba didn't want to let a person of Kelepha's standing die in his battle. But then kelepha told him " in a day of survival, no man dies but a day of death, no man survive" meaning, my life and death is not up to you but a higher being. if i should die, then so be it.
inteterestingly, Kelepha was allowed to join the battle and led from the front. He conquered the fort and brought the territory under the rule of king Demba Sonko. The betrayal was plotted by Mansa Demba himself not the enemy armies.
It is said that, King Demba Sonko thought to himself, "if a foriegn warrior is able to take the glory of my war, what would people make out of my legacy and that of my descendants." he King Demba couldn't stomach the fact that, Kelepha took the fort with relative ease and he was going look like a failure. It was then he plotted with his people to kill Kelepha. But the myth about Kelepha is that, he wouldn't be kill with a bullet or spare but something else. A rope was tie round Kelepha's neck at an ambush, he was dragged until he died.
Kelepha according to the most reliable oral narration was betrayed by his contractor.
Kelepha fought with gun, spear and also with sword. he travelled all over the Gambia river looking for war but he couldn't get one.
In future, i might comment on the other two versions.
Thanks
1.Do you know who the war was against that Kelepha was fighting in or who the fort belonged to?
answer--- the war that Kelepha was fighting was between Mansa Demba Sonko and the Soon kunda family of Jokadou Barria. Mansa Demba wish to anex Barria and bring it under his rule. but he couldn't after several battles takeover the town. Jokadou Barria is strategically located, all invaders are spoted, so the men get ready for all invaders. the Soon kunda family are three brothers who stelled in close promiximinty, Tammana, Barria and another town.
2.What was it that made Kelepha such a great warrior?
answer--- Kelepha was born in a heritage of fighters. His uncle was the Mansa or king of a province in Kaabu current day guinea Bissau and parts of Cassamance. His uncle's name is Samka nanki. Kelepha's Father's name is Tuban Sanneh. kelepha's dad died before he was born. But as a young boy Kelepha's life became involve with what the people term as spirites and mysticism. He was not law He abiding neither clam tempered. he enjoys sword fighting and breaking all taboos.
Warriorship was the trade mark of the sanneh and Manneh, they are refered to as Nyanchos--meaning those who don't fear death. They never long for old age. So kelepha live his life like his father, who too was a tax collector and a brave fighter.
3.How did the people of Niumi react to the mansa killing Kelepha?
Anwser--- As i said ealier, the mansa Demba it is said paid the griouts who are the mediums then who pass on informations not to disclose the real reason why kelpeha was killed. so people didn't know sooner why and how Kelpeha died until after wards. But because Kelepha is not from that territory, the people don't have much close relationship with him. He was seen as a marcenary who is paid to kill.
Another myth about him was a nick name he had, he was call a Badora Jola. which place him in the Jola tribe, the kasinkos and jolas are cousins,. for a jola to join forces with others and wage war against them was a big taboo. was in fact the people didnot feel much remorse for Kelepha. Kelepha was not a Jola but a Kabuu Mandingo who was nicknamed by a Jinn as (Badora julu joola) someone who will reclaim the debts of Badora. Jola means to repay or payer.
this is evident in the manner he was buried. His grave is still in Jokadou Barria. he is buried at the outscart of the village. accordinlyly they never mark his grave with any headstone, but mysterously a unique local tree grew at kelepha's grave making the grave famous and identifiable.
4.Was Kelepha buried after he has killed? I have also heard that his spear is still kept in Niumi. Is this the case?
[red]answer-- answer 4 provided response on that. he was buried but not with much respect. as mansa demba wish to make it look low key and insignificant. In fact, some narrators said, it was a griout from Kabbu who insisted that Kelepha must be buried.
Touré-koundanko, i bé kelefa la jouloo meng maa, a beng mboulou (a cassette ma)
Nga aboula youtube kono lé. Ni lafita mé la, assafé youtube kono: "kelefa partie 1"
Sirifo kamara wo lé kha saataa.
Almamy sylla (sankadabo)
Ansu masiin ni jankeh wally la joulo lou fanang bé djé. (ntoro kang).
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I was told that my great grand father Foday Sanneh was Kelepha's nephew. Do you know any other relatives out there?
Dear Suntou Touray
I really want to apriciate to your blog and
excited to see the discuspion here.
I've been visited Gambia and trained Kora.
I heared the story of Kelefa. but not all, part of that. I want to fulfill some missing link but
there's only few information in web and it's often wrong. if I understand Mandinko speaking, easy to get information by you tube that great Jali Lalo Keba telling that Anonymous said. anyway can i ask you when I have a question about Kelefa?
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