THEIR FALL SIGNAL SOMETHING

Concerns have been raised in the country’s main towns why two baobab trees fell directly on residential compounds at two major settlements in the urban areas not far from the capital Banjul.

The first one was in Tallinding; the whole neighborhood stood watching wondering what had actually happened. It was one of the oldest baobab trees in the village, why and how it fell continues to nag the community. While there were no fatalities, the incident was perhaps a stark reminder of the myths that are often associated with the fall of big trees such as the baobab. Due to the size and structure of the baobab, some people believed the tree is spiritually connected.

Apart from the medicinal aspects of the plant, it is usually hard to witness baobab trees falling, what was more amazing was the time and place they fell – residential areas.

In Brikama, the seat of the administrative capital of the Western Region, one Francis Gomez, a Fire and Rescue officer lost his house at night when the baobab tree that stood close to his compound in Brikama Dirima Kolong fell on his roof following a heavy downpour of rain.

The affected communities are still contemplating what to do next, as for Francis; he told us when help come, he will start the laborious process of reconstruction at the end of the rainy season. But for now, other compounds with baobab trees are getting worried and jittery about their safety. If anything, the baobab trees that fell in Tallinding and Brikama did not show any signs that they were going to fall. Like in most cases, disasters would not give warnings to their victims when they are about to strike.

It’s a pity that the strongest trees in Africa are dying naturally, we may as well take caution or find out why.