Is this Fulabantang?

Personal essays from followers

IS THIS FULABANTANG?

He's now living in the urban areas, like many young people in The Gambia,he went to the city in search of education. . After gaining employment, Dums as some of his friends call him , decided to stay in the city with the hope that one day he will get a lot of money, get rich so that he can help his family. As the story goes, Dums had to go through tough times before he could make ends meet; an opportunity came in June 2008. The office he was working for, selected him to represent the organisation on avery important but sensitive assignment in East/ North Africa. Lucky him, he bought a compound and has started settling down in his new home with his wife and two children. On a recent visit to Fulabantang village, Dums is beginning to realise the absence of few people who were never afraid of speaking their minds, what was more worrying for him was the seed of discord planted among family members.

By Dumbuya Mballow Bannah

On 21st February 2009, I embarked on an impromptu visit to a village well known in the history of the Gambia and particularly Fulladu. From Barra to Laminkoto, I tore the highway for only three hours with my family on board. When I arrived Laminkoto viewing JanJang Bureh from a very close distance, yet a very far place. After few minutes, the ferry arrived and ferried us to the otherside for three minutes. My car ignition was greeted by Mondeh Jawo a fulla musician with ....Ndooo wellle yoooo ...yooooooooooooh yaa no fulaadu no yaaru yeesooooooo ndoooo wellidoooo. I was not myself and started suggesting to the company of VW Golf to move from Gear five to at least ten. Fulabantang in those days used to have stubborn children boys and girls always on the highway until the early hours of the morning. It seems this tradition is beginning to fade away, because the highway was empty when I went there.

what is also moving is, at least about ten compounds were with Solar Panels which means that the village has registered some positive developments. Even though, I arrived there 10pm, my presence was not felt despite the fact that I went there with a car. For me this is also an indication that the village youth are elevated to western life. I parked my car in our compound and hurriedly rushed to the village clinic to see the second childhood friend Abdoulie who was on duty.

There was no way I could have gone out with Abdoulie, there was no supervisor in the clinic so he needed to stay and take care of the patients otherwise he could loose his job. When I strolled along the village, I began to notice some dramatic changes in Fulabantang, even though there are positive developments, there are setbacks too.

In Fulabantang, a lot people would tell you about the existence of certain indigenous families called ( Galleh Gi choosan). Now, it seems something sinister is beginning to tear these families apart, a sign that is regarded as another form of disunity. But what struck most was the death of my father who was the not the kind of man who would keep quiet when things go wrong. My father was bold, someone who was always interested in mending fences among family members.

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