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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Mar 2006 : 11:51:54
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Hi fellas I heard that the first ruler of foni(both cassamance/Gambia)wascalled Appai Bassen.I don't know how true this is but if so, does that mean that he was then Appai Badgie as the Bagies are called Badgie Bassen.
As a student on research,I would like talented people to help.Any contribution would be helpful please.
Thanks
Mankajang Janyanfara
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somita
United Kingdom
163 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2006 : 17:27:07
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Gentleman I am from foni, while I dont want dispute Appai Bassen being a King I am very weary of it. Its is well documented in history that the inhabitants of foni, Jolas dont have political groupings ....kings or queens .... which makes the issue about kings in foni a distant reality.
Bringings the Badjies into the equation makes it every more like a cooked story. For most badgies in foni have been to travelled lately into foni. If you can put a time frame on this particulary King, may be one can fine history events to argue otherwise. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2006 : 17:57:05
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Jolas have been known to not have a traditional monarchical structure .They have a loose social setting in which women have rights just like men. They are probably the most democratic in our subregion.
The history that the Jola are from the "Shonna" people in Zimbabwe looks somehow credible. I once attended a Commonwealth Forum in Harare and their music, rythm, dance is just like a carbon copy of the "BUKARABOU" (Jola dance). Then again, Africa is full of similarities than differences. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2006 : 19:28:04
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Foni, Kingship as observed in the Jola community.
Kingship as may be examined would just mean leadership, in its simplest interpretation.
It is certain that the Jolas are not known for social groupings, but they have certain elders in the community who intercede between the community and the famous Meteis (gods). These elders are normally typical traditionist, also with means of black power, like the protection against the gun, knives and other metallic instruments. It could be this (Appae, Appa) is a reality only in that direction. Such elders are well respected, and always with a lot of influence over others. They are normally attributed with supernatural powers, fighting assumed evils and generally with a lot of followers, who in their small ways help to maintain the lineage. They function best during “futampaf” (circumcision) festivals, weddings and meteis consultations, in which they are seen to be the only ones capable to lead. Badjie-Baseng became the last name of the Badjies’, with a link of their roots heritage, thus becoming the last name of their surnames.
The translation of Kingship locally in jola would be just “kunifanai”-meaning “elder”, such is not only used on people with age, but such status as a statesmen, mps, alkalos, seefoes, compound elders etc…In essence, it is my firm belief that such leadership cannot be completely ruled out, but that it was in its own fashion, style and time.
A native of Foni.
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"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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Edited by - Dalton1 on 16 Mar 2006 05:43:03 |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2006 : 00:39:50
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Anyway Daltin,
My story is from your fellow from foni who probably is older than you.
Foni as you may well know is not only from Bullock to Kanlagie it covers Cassamance which has a larger arrear of foni than the Gambia.
Another story had it that this Appai was killed in a bout( a traditional show of piety and bravery)Usually the Jolas belief in charms and used those powerful charms to earn respect and honour amongst the people) by suling Jatta.Who thus ruled 4 a time b4 he died very young.Really it cannot be true that the Jolas had never been under any kind of leadership as some powerful influencial men had their days and control.Every community/arear had some sort of ruler and those rulers were all answerable to one supreme leader.This is what I mean king.4 the oldmen I spoke to told me Appai was respected and feared throughout the entire foni and no man dared challenge him either wrestling or the use of charms until Suling Jatta challenged him and difeated him.
If kondorong's story cannot be disputed which was the same I gerthered(Your Ancestors comming from Shonna area in Zimbabwe) then I belief my story has some weight, though I knowvery little about Jala History but I can assure you I am getting more and more into knowing it.
They used to be more free like than democratic as they tried to resist every approach of domination by her neighbours in Kaabu and pakau.They are divided in to jola foni and jola bullof who were united during the foday reprasals.
I still yet to learn more and I can't say yours is wrong 4 I want to get more idears as to what was happening in foni pre colonial days like many African and Gambian arears
Thank you |
Edited by - Janyanfara on 16 Mar 2006 00:49:10 |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2006 : 05:39:25
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Yes, ur story have a lot of weight, and history by its true nature is full of contradictions. Foni is composed of a wide geographical spreading-agreable ! We Will do more researh on it. I am not disputing ur naration, and we will need to feed history books with stuff like ur naration. Good luck with ur projects as u seive the facts from the available lot. I am not a typical historian, just a child lucky to be from the area. At the end of ur thesis, share with us ur constructive arguements and conclusions.
Regards,
Dalton |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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ylowe
USA
217 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2006 : 07:12:07
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| I heard that the jolas are the only tribe that did not sell their fellow jolas during the slave trade. Can someone help |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2006 : 11:38:23
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Janyanfara
the historical institution, the National Records Service (NRS) has a completely different view to the Zimbabwe Origin theory. they state on their website that Jolas are from Egypt.they have also kindly stated their sources/reference at the bottom of the page. this view is shared by many other gambian webpages. ylowe you can look at it too.
http://www.nrs.gm/people%20of%20the%20Gambia.htm
interestingly, you might be aware of the work of Chk. Anta Diop the senegalese who did similar work on the wollof and had a similar conclusion.
what i do know is that all the languages of the greater senegambia region wollof, jola,serer,balanta,etc are classified under one sub-group call the Atlantic familiy within the Niger-Congo. Shona and other languages in central/southern Africa are classified as Bantu. a different family.
i hope this helps. good luck |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2006 : 01:33:24
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I have this books with me right now my brother and anyway I have to thank you 4 that master piece.
One thing you have to understand.I want to write about us pre Islam and christianity and I know this might be the most difficult task but am still everyday very most determined.As stories kept flowing from all part of Africa.I must ofcause not forget my wounderful Bantaba and its Magnificient Administration.Bantaba hasbecome a second home to me since I joined though I been an observer ever since.
But I still believe the Jolas might come from sonna area towards Egypt.You have to remember the Fact that the entire region of Africa from Cairo to pretoria was under Mighty Egypt's influence during the early 40 to 70th century BC.perhaps its true they come from that region but as the world comes oreginally from Africa,I am esterblishing the facts about tribes.
Peace |
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ylowe
USA
217 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2006 : 10:09:12
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| Thank you njucks. The Jolas did not keep slaves but sold their prisoners of war to merchants. |
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