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.

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.

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.

MRC Gambia

Folks, i am puzzle as to the role of MRC in the Gambia. People are flooding that research base daily and they are dying there. Is it a hospital like RVH or just providing an extra service to Gambian population? This needs to be assertained.
People start lining the compound as early as 3am in the morning, if not you cannot have any space to sit. folks before our people die due untrain doctors, someone need to clarify the situation. MRC is a charity and is not suppose to treat people as far i know, so why are people going there for treatment?

Dr Tariq Saeed lectures on Islamic Banking

This is a brief vedio on Islamic Banking. the quality may not be too good, but it will provide a quick qist into the subject.

MA LECTURES, BY DR MEHMET ASUTAY ON RM

A fantastic lecture on content research and design. A prominent lecturer in Political economy at Durham University and Markfield institute.

Tobaksi 2008 speech by 8 year old Sedou Jallow

Asalam mu alaykum

Praise be to Allah who deserve all praises

My name is Saidou Jallow

As you all know we gather here to celebrate Eid Adha (Tobaski) which is a very special occassion for all the muslims to praise Allah, to enjoy and to celebrate with families and friends.

I just want to remind you the importance of being together as ONE

We are meant to brothers and sisters
To love each each, be kind and caring
This is what brings us together

First we must love Allah, then ourselves
Our neighbours and others around us
To help relieve pain and stress

Being together and loving each other is what life is all about
Things get better when you are being thoughful of each others needs
Togetherness takes away all bitterness and hatred

For the meaning of togetherness, we must bond our hearts together
Having mutual respect and understanding for each other
Showing that you care each step of the way

Alone, I cannot change the world
Alone, I cannot build an empire
Alone, I cannot be remembered
Alone, I cannot fly like a bird to spread the word UNITY
BUT TOGETHER WE CAN

Remember behind the success of every community or society, there must be togethernes

You our parents lead the way then we the kids will follow you foot steps, surely we shall not lost our roots.

May Allah bring us together and guide us along the straight path AMEEN

Thank you for listening