Discovery of Gambian Literature & Writing

Crying in the rain

2010-01-15T05:25:00.002Z

By Lamin S. DarboeSeptember 2009 Rice harvesting was at its peak, and all the women were busy trying to get their rice from the fields. I was already nine months old in my mother's stomach. Then on one Thursday afternoon, just before sunset, as narrated by my grandmother, my mother gave birth to me. "I heard a groan under the baobab tree that stood at the foot of the rice fields. I rushed there

Gambia’s Dr. Janneh Launches Books in Bristol, UK

2008-08-08T20:53:00.004Z

Friday, August 08, 2008 The works of an erudite Gambian scholar and academician, Dr. Sabarr S. Janneh, were recently showcased in the Southmead area of Bristol, United Kingdom.Speaking to his audience, the fledgling author recounted his unsuccessful attempts at publishing his books in The Gambia and Senegal. Notwithstanding the financial cost involved, Dr. Janneh has now succeeded in publishing

Creating Our Own Foundations: The History, Present, and Future of Gambian Literature

2007-09-23T01:22:00.003Z

by Rosamond S. King, Ph.D. Adapted from a Presentation at a University of The Gambia Seminar Co-Sponsored by The US Embassy in The Gambia, 23 May 2007, Kanifing Usually when I tell someone I am researching Gambian literature, their response is – is there any? Unfortunately, even other Gambians are not aware of our novels, poems, and plays. There is indeed Gambian literature, and it

DREAM KINGDOM

2007-08-21T01:21:00.001Z

New and Selected Poems Published March 2007 by Tijan M. SallahDream Kingdom is a fascinating selection of the Gambian poet Tijan M. Sallah’s poetry, which in his own words reflects “the mystical and mythical basis for all poetry.” This book includes selections from most of the poet’s four collections of poetry: When Africa Was a Young Woman (1980), Kora Land (1989), Dreams of Dusty Roads (1993),

On My Knees Before These Mighty Heavens

2007-07-28T19:21:00.000Z

Walsworth Pub Co (June 29, 2007)ISBN-13: 978-1578640669By Momodou CeesayIn this book, the protagonist Issa Kujabi seeks an audience with God, in order to lament on the condition of African people today. The book speaks of social injustice; the cold-heartedness of the ruling elite in Africa; and the phenomena of Africa s demise, but done with poetry and art. Two distinct expressions of creativity

Reading the Ceiling

2007-06-04T17:18:00.002Z

ByDayo Forsterwww.dayoforster.comwww.africanloft.com/reading-the-ceiling-with-dayo-forsterSynopsisAyodele’s life will tread a different path depending on a decision she makes on her eighteenth birthday, on the cusp of womanhood; but how will she choose?One path will send Ayodele to Europe, to university – and to the pain of first love. Another will have her travel the globe after suffering

BOOK REVIEWS :

2007-05-15T09:56:00.000Z

The Shock (1999) by Michael H. Secka,The Sun Will Soon Shine (2004) by Sally Singhateh, andCostly Prices (2005) by Ramatoulie OthmanBooks reviewed by: Dr Pierre Gomez Senior Lecturer University of The GambiaIn The Shock (1999) written by Michael Hamadi Secka, the central theme focuses on religious hypocrisy, where people use religion as a tool and a cover to embark upon deleterious or

BOOK REVIEW : AFRICA : WE OWE IT TO OUR ANCESTORS, OUR CHILDREN, AND OURSELVES

2007-05-15T09:40:00.000Z

by Prof. Michael Ba Banutu-Gomez Book reviewed by: Dr Pierre Gomez Senior Lecturer University of The GambiaThis mighty work, Africa: We Owe it to Our Ancestors, Our Children, and Ourselves is composed of twelve chapters of which the first four focus on the pressing need for us Africans to identify ourselves within our culture and traditional values.Today, we readily accept the music, behaviour

First-World Education in the Third World

2007-05-11T14:26:00.000Z

Author Narrates Development of The Gambia’s First UniversityATLANTA – Momodou Sabally presents an inspiring account of the Saint Mary’s University Extension Program in The Gambia in his new memoir, Homegrown: The Student Experience of a Unique Canada-Africa University Program (now available through AuthorHouse). The Gambia , located in West Africa , has faced harsh economic conditions for

Mandela's Other Children: The Diary of an African Journalist

2007-05-11T10:54:00.001Z

by Baba G. JallowISBN13: 978-1-60047-098-1 & ISBN10: 1-60047-098-XIn Mandela's Other Children, Baba Galleh Jallow invokes the intriguing concept of a Pan-African struggle against oppression. As he narrates his personal ordeals as a journalist working in an oppressive "shadow state" since 1994, Baba skillfully comments on some complex issues related to the African condition that are not readily

The Anatomy of Powercracy And Other Essays

2007-05-11T10:49:00.000Z

by Baba G. JallowISBN 1-933265-75-2The Anatomy of Powercracy gives an unusually clear and interesting insight into the inner workings of dictatorial African political systems and the minds of the dictators themselves, whom Baba describes as "elephants on mosquito legs." Written in Baba's trademark flowing prose with a touch of humor nicely blended in with the serious nature of his subject, The

A NEW LEASE OF LIFE

2007-01-22T15:21:00.000Z

By Dr Momodou TangaraDevelopments over the last few months show that The Gambia is set to reclaim its rightful place on the West African music scene. Thanks to Youssou N’Dour, the style of music known as Mbalax has gained recognition in musical circles worldwide. However, very few people realise that this style first came to life in The Gambia…Senegambian music prior to 1971 shows a very definite

The Military and 'Democratisation' in The Gambia: 1994-2003

2007-01-22T14:47:00.000Z

by Dr. Ebrima Ceesay345 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); contains, tables, black and white & color images; catalogue #06-1860; ISBN 1-4251-0103-8; US$34.70, C$39.90, EUR28.50, £19.95.About the BookThis book provides an account of significant political developments in a small West African country, The Gambia, about which such information is not readily available. It is a robustly

Instant Success: The 10 Commandments of Personal Achievement and the Road to Enduring Riches

2007-01-22T13:40:00.000Z

Lien by Momodou SaballySentence DescriptionThis self-help book uses a global mindset to unlock the golden keys to success and wealth.Short Description This self-help guide is not just about success, it’s about instant success. By sharing inspirational messages and surprisingly simple keys, this book paves a smooth road to immediate achievement and personal rewards. Through ten easy-to-understand

The Magic Calabash and Macmillan Publishers

2005-09-02T00:57:00.001Z

The Magic Calabash and Macmillan Publishers The Gambia. Soon, the secondary schools in The Gambia, and in several other African countries, will have the pleasure of reading, as part of their literature books, a novel written by Nana Grey-Johnson. The Magic Calabash, which was locally published in The Gambia, has been reedited and republished by Macmillan Education Publishers. This is not the

Hassum Ceesay - Seeking to Please

2005-07-15T01:42:00.000Z

SEEKING TO PLEASE (series 7 to 10)By Hassum CeesayIntroduction“I am giving the title ‘SEEKING TO PLEASE’ to this collection as that is precisely what I am doing to the Gambian public in this endeavour. As I see it, the avidity around us to read anything creative and with local origins is something of a stigma on any one of us who can do anything about it and, contrary to belief, there are many of

The Repeal

2005-03-23T12:25:00.000Z

FEATUREThe RepealA new feminist voice in Gambian literatureBy Hassoum CeesayMar 23, 2005, 07:33 The Repeal, an anthology of poems by Juka Fatou Jabang, Matilda Johnson and Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta, released last month by Fulladu Publishing, is the major feminist literary work to come out of The Gambia since the publication in 1960 of Lady Augustus Jawara’s play, Rebellion. The poems are truly

Ripped Apart by Rtd Capt Lamin K Saine

2005-03-09T13:18:00.000Z

Visually impaired publishes bookBy Ebrima Jaw MannehMar 8, 2005, 14:45Ripped Apart, a novel, authored by a visually impaired man, Rtd Capt Lamin K Saine, was last week formally launched by Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh, secretary of state for Communication, Information and Technology.Rtd Capt Saine The book depicts what are obtained in a war ravaged countries, with peacekeepers grappling with their

ANGRY LAUGHTER by BabaGalleh Jallow

2005-01-29T10:47:00.000Z

Angry Laughter - By Baba Galleh Jallow The Independent (Banjul) BOOK REVIEWJanuary 28, 2005 Posted to the web January 28, 2005 By D.A. JawoBanjul Those who are familiar with Baba Galleh Jallow's famous Story of the Week in the Daily Observer during his time there would no doubt recall his crafty style in creating satire. He used to create characters with funny names that accurately depicted

Tribute to the late EBOU DIBBA

2005-01-24T13:31:00.001Z

“The power pen of one of the Gambia’s best known authors has been silenced by the cold hand of death” – Editorial, Daily Observer, 15-01-2001 “No doubt, many people are shocked and saddened by the news of Ebou Dibba’s ultimate death. A big tree has fallen!” Ebou Gaye, ViewPoint, daily Observer, 05-01-2001. “The death of Ebou Dibba (MBE) has robbed the Gambia of an

2005-01-22T20:41:00.000Z

Momodou Sabally authographing a book for the President. VC watching keenly. Posted by Hello

Jangi Jollof by Momodou Sabally

2005-01-19T20:38:00.000Z

Momodou Sabally, Jangi Jollof: A Memoir on The Gambia’s First University Programme. Brikama New Town: Sandeng Publishers 2004 100 Pages ISBN 9983 9912 25 Jangi Jollof, is it a premature text? Clearly not. Giving the lingering invidious comments on the merits of the University Extension Programme (UEP), this memoir is a fitting response presenting ‘the true picture’ and evoking the spirit of the

Deyda Hydara, a prominent Gambian journalist, is shot dead

2004-12-21T16:56:00.000Z

BREAKING NEWSGambian writers (journalists, writers and contributors to press columns), Rapporters without Borders, Agence France-Press are all in mourning.... To learn more, click on the links below: FRENCH http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/200412200261.html http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=12103 http://www.lesoleil.sn/afrique/article.cfm?articles__id=45281http://www.traversees.org/

2004-12-10T14:34:00.000Z

SECOND INDEPENDENCEThe move to more democratic and open politics in AfricaEssay by Cherno Omar BARRY“Independence/ Then what? Freedom?” These were some of the words of Chinua Achebe in one of his interviews in response to the fate of post-colonial Africa. Almost all the African colonised countries have more than thirty-years of independence. However, little or no improvement has been made in

A Lecture on Archival Heritage by Amadou Mahtar Mbow

2004-12-10T14:29:00.000Z

Archival heritage in Africa, its significance, its different forms A Lecture by Amadou Mahtar Mbow Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow was born in 1921. After completing his higher education in Paris, he taught history and geography in Senegal, where he directed basic education from 1952 to 1957. Minister of Education and Culture during his country’s transitional period of internal autonomy (1957-1958), he