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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Aug 2010 : 21:24:07
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This is from the D.O. I think that's it has very little to do with decency or morals, I think that is due to fear by the authorities that if the people who are enjoying entertainment in what can be a rather dull place for free public entertainment (The Gambia) assemble in such numbers the authorities would have a BIG problem if the venue was to develop into a meeting place to exchange views and ideas with such a large number of people that control would be lost,so lets inplant the idea that this is not acceptable behaviour for people to indulge in even though at the moment it is about being entertained for free.
"People were also scattered in small groups with majority of the girls in their usual 'tips and tops' and 'changals' with part of their breasts barely covered." Very bad of course.
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/sunday-beach-in-the-spotlight-a-one-stop-shop-for-naughty-behaviour
Sunday beach in the spotlight A one-stop shop for naughty behaviour
Africa » Gambia
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Tuesday, August 10, 2010
It is summer time, during this period; our young people usually flock to the beaches particularly on Sundays to 'enjoy themselves'.
This phenomenon, often called Sunday beach programme, has become an avenue for immoral behavior among our young ones. Despite the practice being criticised by venerable religious leaders and many elderly people, the youths believe the occasion provides for them a perfect platform to relax and refresh their minds.
This reporter attended the last Sunday beach programme at the Palma Rima Hotel junction to assess the conduct of our young boys and girls so as to bring to the limelight the necessity of promoting ethical standards in society. I drove around six o'clock in the evening from the traffic lights at Fajara Junction towards the popular Palma Rima Junction where hundreds of young boys and girls flocked towards the beach. About 30 meters away from the junction, we had to park our car and trek the rest of the journey because the traffic was heavily jammed, and vehicles were moving at snail speed.
At the very junction itself, policemen on duty where busy trying to control the traffic and the huge crowd moving towards the beach. Near the former Calabash Night Club, soldiers mounted a checkpoint and were forcing people to leave the highway so that vehicles can pass. Vendors selling light food like cakes, chicken and afra, as well as drinks, where scattered all over the place. People were also scattered in small groups with majority of the girls in their usual 'tips and tops' and 'changals' with part of their breasts barely covered.
Some of the girls who spoke to this reporter claimed that their mode of dressing is modern fashion and the half-covered breast is called 'push up'. Many of the boys also had their trousers below their buttocks "utal". What was even more amazing was that some attended the programme with small children many of whom are as young as two years or less. As the wave of darkness began colouring the sky, it was not surprising that announcements of missing children began dominating the microphones.
On the left and right sides of the beach stood two giant stages belonging to two leading GSM operators, namely Comium and Africell. At the Comium stage, hundreds of people stood to watch the grand finale of the kick-and-win competition, and after that they started dancing in Comium T-shirts and caps to the melodious music produced by the champion sounds system. King Kuraskuras was also on stage to entertain the crowd.
Ismaila Cham, Comium's marketing supervisor, explained they were on the beach to provide entertainment to their subscribers. When quizzed as to whether it is healthy to bring children to such an environment, he replied that children need fun and this is why they take it upon themselves to provide entertainment for them. "We know that those coming here are young; this is why as far as Comium is concerned, we start early and finish by eight o'clock', he explained.
The Africell stage got even more crowded as hundreds of young boys and girls gathered to watch young Gambian musicians perform.
Peter Briam, Africell senior communication supervisor, said his company has been providing entertainment for their subscribers and the general public for the past five years; he also sees the occasion as a platform for young musicians to rise and be able to compete even on the international stage.
His assertion was corroborated by some of the young musicians, particularly Mighty Joe and Baddibounko, who converged at the ground to perform what they called the 'last spot' before Ramadan,. Asked to comment on the disadvantages of exposing young children to such an environment, Peter has this to say: "We know that some of the children come to the beach to engage themselves in immoral acts, this is why Africell deems it necessary to provide such an entertainment so that they can be distracted from such naughty behaviour and concentrate on the stage."
All the young people who spoke to this reporter saw nothing wrong in the Sunday beach programme, as they see it as a unique and rare moment for them to enjoy themselves. When asked about the improper activities and the indecent dressing particularly among young girls, many replied that those who often complain about the Sunday beach are just being jealous because they have enjoyed their younger days; and should leave the young ones to enjoy theirs. One girl dressed in what would be described as divan wear said: "Those elders who are saying going to beach is bad are just talking because even their sons and daughters do come here."
From that cool evening till midnight, it was nude dresses, dance and immoral conduct galore. From all indications, the good social values and ethical codes that our society is known for are put to the grave whenever our young ones gather on the beach to do what they believe is enjoyment. Concerned parents should therefore be cautious in providing for the needs of their children because they are the future leaders.
Of course, we admit that children deserve the right to entertainment, but the type of entertainment they should indulge in should be carefully selected, otherwise we might end up giving them a 'sweet pain'. When on the beach on Sunday, it is unfortunate that one gets a picture of a sun flash carnival in Kingston or New York, and not a real Gambian society, a society widely acclaimed for decency. It is therefore time for us to rethink the Sunday beach programme.
Author: by Gibairu Janneh
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11732 Posts |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2010 : 21:42:26
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Let's just hope all the 'missing children' were found again in the end..
T1020, since you know so much about almost anything: what's 'divan wear' ('divan' being the Dutch word for daybed)  .
Moreover, i haven't got a clue what a 'changal' is. Come on, help me out .
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When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2010 : 22:02:17
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On a Sunday in UK when I was a child/teenager it was a very boring day.
I went to Sunday school then visited my Grandparents.
We weren't allowed to play with friends in the street.
When I was older I wasn't allowed to go to the cinema or meet boyfriends.
My grandmas did all their work on Saturday evening, so that on a Sunday they did the minimum work.
Of course in Gambia, Sunday isn't a special day.
I do feel that young girls are very vunerable. Possibly under 18's shouldn't go to the beach parties, or if they do they should be chaparoned and be home at an early time.
All teenagers want to have fun, but they should be safe as well. |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2010 : 22:21:54
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Anna you flatter me  I havn't the slightest idea sorry
quote:
Originally posted by anna
Let's just hope all the 'missing children' were found again in the end..
T1020, since you know so much about almost anything: what's 'divan wear' ('divan' being the Dutch word for daybed) .
Moreover, i haven't got a clue what a 'changal' is. Come on, help me out .
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2010 : 22:31:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Momodou
Are these beach parties not organised by the GSM companies? I have seen these companies completely blocking the trafic on their way to the beach lasr summer.
No idea who organises them, I was just drawing attention to the "control" that the authorities would have if the focus for the assembly changed from being just fun to perhaps another reason.All entertainment venues have built in dangers if inadiquate crowd control for instance is not adopted,look at the incident in the german tunnel recently and our own Hillsborough football stadium in England some years ago when people died. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2010 : 22:34:24
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Oh well - i couldn't possibly comment on that, could i ? We'll have to face it: we are way behind and too old for this kind of get togethers. Better sit on the veranda and have our tea/coffee and talk about the old days.
But Bev, sorry to say this but you sound even older.....
Don't you know 16 or 17 years old girls are old enough to get married in the Gambia? If they're old enough for that, surely they can go to a beach party unchaperoned? |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2010 : 23:00:45
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| Actually divan is inherited from persian or greek. Ain't no dutch sista.... |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2010 : 23:14:39
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Sounds good, watch the sun go down,and then............... ?
Sorry about that was I snoring 
quote:
Originally posted by anna
Oh well - i couldn't possibly comment on that, could i ? We'll have to face it: we are way behind and too old for this kind of get togethers. Better sit on the veranda and have our tea/coffee and talk about the old days.
But Bev, sorry to say this but you sound even older.....
Don't you know 16 or 17 years old girls are old enough to get married in the Gambia? If they're old enough for that, surely they can go to a beach party unchaperoned?
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2010 : 23:18:46
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quote:
Sorry about that was I snoring
Touby, I thought you are married man, how would other women (Anna) know if you were snoring? |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2010 : 23:20:22
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I don't agree with girls being married so young.
In an ideal world teenagers wouldnt be getting pregnant either.
The American culture coming to Gambia through music shouldnt be being encouraged. It is based on materialism, sexism, drug culture and violence. The complete opposiste of traditional Gambian and Muslim culture.
Personally I dont think these big events away from local communities are suitable for under 18's.
Anna, if you think I sound old, well that doesnt bother me. I am a responsible adult, with two adult daughters.
Adults pretending to be youths and being 'mates' with kids is all part of our societies problems in UK. Children need boundaries and they need to respect adults around them. |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2010 : 23:52:49
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| If i recalled, Jammeh himself organized beach parties before! |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2010 : 01:10:23
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Havn't you learned anything yet TURK, women know everything,mostly before you yourself do
quote:
Originally posted by turk
quote:
Sorry about that was I snoring
Touby, I thought you are married man, how would other women (Anna) know if you were snoring?
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2010 : 12:20:42
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quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
Havn't you learned anything yet TURK, women know everything,mostly before you yourself do
and don't you forget it!  LOL |
It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2010 : 14:16:05
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| Yes touby, I already knew it. I am dealing with three women from three generations daily from sixty five years old to 3 years old. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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