Meet me in Kaabu, Guinea Bissau

The Guinea trip is expected to provide a unique platform for an intellectual intercourse

The day has been set already, students reading history at the University of the Gambia are warming up for what is likely to be an adventurous journey to the West African state of Guinea Bissau during the first week of next month.

The initiative was borne out of the lacuna that exist in the study of regional history. It has been observed there exist some challenges as regard the untold history of Africa and the story of the movement of people from one place to the other. In Guinea Bissau for example, the students and their lecturers are expected to gather some oral accounts from the people in Kaabu about the political, social and economic relations that exist years before the colonial conquest.

As a matter of fact, students studying history face series of challenges, not that books are not available but the issue most often than not, relate to the age-old wisdom tha the white man wrote our history. The University's forthcoming trip is being facilitated by a young and promising lecturer Ensa Touray, himself a historian.

Preparations for the trip is in full swing, with students contributions and pledges from some institutions, the trip is undoubtedly going to be expensive. Hopes are high that everything is going to turn out quite well for those warming up for Kaabu and Kansala in Guinea Bissau.


For more information contact: Ensa Touray, tel: 7664805
Buba SM Ceesay, tel 6517397

‘BIT OF A DO’
It seems fashionable to mock the British monarchy, says Barbara Scott writing from the UK the day before the D Day.

As I’m sure you are aware there is a Royal Wedding taking place on Friday 29th April here in the UK. The Queen’s eldest grandson and second in line to the throne is getting married to his fiance Kate (or as she is now known as, Katherine) Middleton. The last Royal Wedding was his father’s to Camilla Parker Bowles, but as it was his (and her’s) second marriage it was much lower key. This one will be the complete opposite, and then some! ‘A bit of a do’ as we say here. About 1.5 million (yes that is correct!) people are expected to turn up in London to witness what will be a spectacular event. It will be broadcast worldwide so I do hope you will be able to watch it in The Gambia.

We have 8 hour coverage on our TV’s but I expect you will see highlights on the world news stations. If the weather is as glorious as it is at the moment it really will look amazing. You will see all the pomp and pageantry that the Royal household are masters at. The gold coach for the bride and groom, the household cavalry in their bright red jackets and white trousers mounted on their highly trained horses. The guardsmen, who are synonymous with London, in their bearskin helmets marching to a brass band. The crowds will be cheering and waving union jacks and wearing red, white and blue hats.

Yes, there will probably be some who would say that it is an extravagance in these recession hit times but the crowds will shout them down. Bring it on I say. It seems fashionable to mock the British monarchy but I’d rather live with one than have a jumped up dictatorship any time. Every one loves a wedding celebration don’t they. It lifts the spirits and makes us take pride in our heritage. I think even staunch republicans will not be able to stop themselves feeling a little bit moved by it all.