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inez
279 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 12:29:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Santanfara
too bad is toubab
I believe your explanation and that might be the reason why every white person travelling to Gambia dislike to be called toubab. It feels like someone hits on my stomach when I´m called that. Could that be comparred to a word n...r and be abandoned? |
Edited by - inez on 25 Jan 2008 12:30:21 |
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 12:45:44
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| That would get my vote, Inez! |
It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
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Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 15:33:00
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inez,
You people must live with it as we are called ******; BLACK JACK, KINTE;and all sorts of names in Europe and we learn to live with it. In Sweden an African is refered to as ******. WE have said it on TV here that we are Black and Africans. We were born in freedom not under slavery. I suggest you consult your friends and love ones in the Gambia for a more correct intepration. TOUBAB has nothing to do with money. In Wollof it has no connection with money, mybe in Mandinka. |
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toubab1020
12309 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 17:33:12
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Alhassan
Interesting,so you are saying that Toubab is a word in Wollof ? if this so what is the Wollof meaning of Toubab.
INEZ
If the meaning of Toubab has not been defined why do you have this feeling?,I find it rather strange,but perhaps you want to get the discussion a little more coverage. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 17:38:22
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quote:
INEZ
If the meaning of Toubab has not been defined why do you have this feeling?,I find it rather strange,but perhaps you want to get the discussion a little more coverage.
The fact that holiday reps and most of the staff at the hotels I've stayed in all say that toubab means white person is probably why both Inez and I feel this way about having this thrown at us many times each day while in the Gambia .... |
It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
Edited by - MeMe on 25 Jan 2008 17:40:48 |
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toubab1020
12309 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 18:45:52
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SO, ONLY Black is beautiful ?
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 18:49:12
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I see the word used as ...here you are what are you going to give me?!
When people shout it to me I say 'My name is BEV'. If they continue with the generic toubab then personally I think that is racist and I d my best to ignore them.
I would never shout Blackman.....or worse...NEVER.
I notice peoples skin colour in the same way I notice their height, weight, hair, clothes....PART of a description. Also character is part of any description i would give.
So my guide ie black, 5ft 10in, close shaven, good looking, mandinka, muslim, average weight, smartly dressed.
I am white (toubab), middle aged, slightly over weight, freckled skin, english, humanist, smart dress.
The colour of the skin is a tiny part of a description of anyone...it shouldnt define someone. |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 20:51:27
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quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
.........The colour of the skin is a tiny part of a description of anyone...it shouldnt define someone.
most gambian have never travelled and have never expereinced racism in europe. the fact that Toubab is shorted to you guys is a direct result/one of the consequences of toursim in the gambia. before the 1960s there was no tourism and the Toubabs then had a different role in the gambia but they were still called toubabs.
children shout 'Toubab' because of the mints, sweets that they get from tourists, older gambians approach toubabs because of the potential to travel, get money, friendship etc. there are europeans who live in the gambia everyday and go about there business, once people recognise them as ''locals'' the reaction is different.
its typical for gambians to greet/say hi people they dont know that why its called the smiling coast.
we have different names for different people, usually goes with where they come from, Fanafana are people from a certain aprt of the north bank of the gambia, people from Senegal are called '' grande'' somethings a slang which is going mainstream liek toubab.
to understand it better its just like how some londoners are called ''cockney''. or calling Australians Aussies,
the point is even if you're called Bev, kids will shout Bev 'cos they wants sweets, and others will shout Bev cost they want you to buy from their shop, visit them, etc.
its about your purchasing power as a european. thats all.
if we dont call europeans toubab, could you suggest a local( wollof, mandinka) substitute?
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 20:56:52
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Njucks welcome back.
The word 'grumeh' should have been Gourmet.
The word might have followed the early Banjul christians who came from the island of Goree Senegal, which was a French colony. Gourmet means someone knowlegeable in food and wines and loves good food and drink. The word gourmet is origanially french originating from the word gourmand meaning glutton. I can remember a christian friend of mine who abhors the term gourmet.
Gourmet is not the only word that follwed these christians who came from goree. Other words such as Casserole, Pantalon.
However Senghor also introduced some words of african or senegalese origin into the French language. E.g Niebe=beans, dibiterie= seller of grill meat.
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madiss |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 21:12:56
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thanks madiba,
i think as cultures mix there will obviously be mutual exchange/influence.
this is why its important as africans to contribute positively towards an ever converging global culture/language. today the word safari is in every language from Russian to eskimos proving ''snow safaris'.
because we are influenced, we must influence as well. |
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toubab1020
12309 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 22:22:28
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Nice Posting,well thought out and expressed,Thanks.  |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 22:42:33
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Does this fit as an answer?
In several West African languages, including Bambara and Wolof, Toubab means "foreigner."
Source: Wikipedia
link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toubab_Krewe |
madiss |
Edited by - MADIBA on 25 Jan 2008 22:43:05 |
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 23:21:27
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| Aha, foreigner .... so we'd hear Gambians shouting toubab to Ghanaians, Nigerians, Tunisians, Kenyans, etc if they were walking about the street? Think not .... |
It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 23:22:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Alhassan
inez,
You people must live with it as we are called ******; BLACK JACK, KINTE;and all sorts of names in Europe and we learn to live with it. In Sweden an African is refered to as ******.
Ever heard the saying two wrongs don't make a right? |
It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2008 : 00:10:26
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quote:
Originally posted by MeMe
Aha, foreigner .... so we'd hear Gambians shouting toubab to Ghanaians, Nigerians, Tunisians, Kenyans, etc if they were walking about the street? Think not ....
MeMe, you are getting it all wrong. If at all that happens to be the true meaning, that's foreigner, indeed Ghanians, Nigerians, etc are not Toubab becuase they are from this part of the world Africa. So anybody from Europe and of a lighter skin shall be called Toubab. As Njucks tried to explain before, i once saw children a village in The Gambia call a Lebanese Toubab. There simple reasoning is white and maybe a tourist.
The term Toubab is a positive term albeit its true or original meaning is yet to be confirmed. So Relaaaaaaaaax, we mean no harm |
madiss |
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