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Momodou
Denmark
11497 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2021 : 17:55:57
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GAMBIA-L Digest 77
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) RE-IOM by Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no> 2) Fwd: UNITED NATIONS: Donors Crying 'Wolf'? by momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) 3) Fwd: DEVELOPMENT: Third World Nations Enthusiastic About Expo 2000 by momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) 4) Re:(PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 5) Re: Ayi Kwei Armah by EBRIMA SALL <ebrima@sonatel.senet.net> 6) A hypothetical venture by KTouray@aol.com 7) Re: Ayi Kwei Armah by Gabriel Ndow <gndow@Spelman.EDU> 8) Re: IOM -Reply by Gabriel Ndow <gndow@Spelman.EDU> 9) RE: A hypothetical venture by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 10) IOM - reply finished by =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> 11) Re: IOM -Reply by momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) 12) RE: IOM - reply finished by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 13) Recommendations on West-african litterature by =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> 14) RE: IOM - reply finished by Badara Joof <Joof@winhlp.no> 15) Re:(PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> 16) Getting unsubscribed (how do I) by David Gilden <dgilden@tiac.net> 17) Re: Ayi Kwei Armah by Liz STewart <liz@stanne.com> 18) RESEARCH POSITION @ UNIV. MINNESOTA (FWD) by "N'Deye Marie N'Jie" <njie.1@osu.edu> 19) Spectortravel advertisement by =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> 20) New member by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> 21) Cancer of language and tribe by O BALDEH <O.Baldeh@Bradford.ac.uk> 22) Re: Ayi Kwei Armah by "Dr. S. G. Kamara" <73244.2701@CompuServe.COM> 23) IOM Beneficiary (A Janneh) by ASJanneh@aol.com 24) RE: (PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 25) Request: Membership by Raye Sosseh <gt8065b@prism.gatech.edu> 26) Another new member by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> 27) Re: Request: Membership by Gabriel Ndow <gndow@Spelman.EDU> 28) Re: Spectortravel advertisement by David Gilden <dgilden@tiac.net> 29) Re: Ayi Kwei Armah by latjor Ndow <ndukuman@avana.net> 30) IOM Beneficiary (A Janneh) by ASJanneh@aol.com (by way of Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no>) 31) Re: Fwd: UNITED NATIONS: Donors Crying 'Wolf'? by Abdou Gibba <Abdou.Gibba@smr.uib.no> 32) Re: IOM Beneficiary (A Janneh) by ASJanneh@aol.com 33) Re: IOM Beneficiary (A Janneh) by Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no> 34) RE: (PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> 35) Re: Fwd: UNITED NATIONS: Donors Crying 'Wolf'? by "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> 36) RE: (PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) 37) Fwd: LIBERIA-HUMAN RIGHTS: Women and Chi by momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) 38) Fwd: DEVELOPMENT: German NGOs Plead For Effectiveness As Funds Decline by momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) 39) AGREE TO DISAGREE by Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no> 40) Re: (PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by binta@iuj.ac.jp 41) Re: AGREE TO DISAGREE by binta@iuj.ac.jp 42) Gambia jail guards smuggled cannabis to inmates (fwd) by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> 43) Fwd: Denmark Calls For An Academy Of Education And Democracy by mmjeng@image.dk 44) (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 45) Re: AGREE TO DISAGREE by "Numukunda Darboe(Mba)" <ndarboe@sunset.backbone.olemiss.edu> 46) Re: AGREE TO DISAGREE by Gabriel Ndow <gndow@Spelman.EDU> 47) Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by binta@iuj.ac.jp 48) Re: New member by Susan Renee Hayes <srhayes@indiana.edu> 49) Agree to disagree-health care by =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> 50) APOLOGY by momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) 51) Change of e-mail address! by Omar Gibba <ib97omgi@mikkeliamk.fi> 52) RE: (PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> 53) VS: Change of e-mail address! by "pa sowe" <sowe@online.no> 54) Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by "The Gambia-L shadow list" <gambia-l@commit.gm> 55) RE: New member by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 56) Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> 57) SV: SV: (PART3) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRBE IN AFRICA by "Momodou S Sidibeh" <momodou.sidibeh@stockholm.mail.telia.com> 58) Re: Change of e-mail address! by momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) 59) BACK FROM BANJUL by "ebrima drameh" <njogou@hotmail.com> 60) Fwd: UN-HUMAN RIGHTS: Congo Killings Could Constitute Genocide by momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) 61) Re: AGREE TO DISAGREE by Ancha Bala-Gaye u <bala7500@mach1.wlu.ca> 62) by Liz STewart <liz@stanne.com> 63) Re: Ayi Kwei Armah by Liz STewart <liz@stanne.com> 64) Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by binta@iuj.ac.jp 65) The Observer Online by Latir Downes-Thomas <latir@earthlink.net> 66) US Labels African White (fwd) by madiba saidy <msaidy@unixg.ubc.ca> 67) Re: BACK FROM BANJUL by "The Gambia-L shadow list" <gambia-l@commit.gm> 68) Re: by Liz STewart <liz@stanne.com> 69) Re: International Organisation for Migration by Liz STewart <liz@stanne.com> 70) Fwd: EU Commission Bows To PVC Industry by momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) 71) Looking for Karanta Kalley by Andy Lyons <alyons@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu> 72) Re: Looking for Karanta Kalley by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> 73) Africans must have voice in Econimic Policymaking (FWD) by "Dr. S. G. Kamara" <73244.2701@CompuServe.COM> 74) Black or white ? by =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> 75) Africa must have a voice in economic policymaking by =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> 76) RE: UNITED NATIONS: Donors Crying 'Wolf'? by =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> 77) HEALTH CARE by Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no> 78) HELP NEEDED by Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no> 79) RE: HELP NEEDED by Badara Joof <Joof@winhlp.no> 80) RE: NEWS FROM THE GAMBIA by hghanim@nusacc.org 81) From Health care to nation building by =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> 82) new email address by Liz STewart <liz@stanne.com> 83) Unsubcribe by "Sirra Ndow" <sirra@hotmail.com> 84) New member by momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) 85) SV: (PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by "Momodou S Sidibeh" <momodou.sidibeh@stockholm.mail.telia.com> 86) RE: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 87) RE: Black or white ? by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 88) RE: HEALTH CARE by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 89) RE: From Health care to nation building by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 90) RE- FROM HEALTH TO NATION BUILDING by Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no> 91) PRO GAMBIA by "alieu badara" <alieu@hotmail.com> 92) RE: RE- FROM HEALTH TO NATION BUILDING by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 93) Fwd: Scientists Econgourage Inventor Of Malaria Vaccine by mmjeng@image.dk 94) RE: Scientists Econgourage Inventor Of Malaria Vaccine by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 95) sorry for being late by Marie Gillen <marie.gillen@swipnet.se> 96) SV: Scientists Econgourage Inventor Of Malaria Vaccine by "pa sowe" <sowe@online.no> 97) Jobs (fwd) by "N'Deye Marie N'Jie" <njie.1@osu.edu> 98) New members by momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) 99) fwd: Sierra Leone Junta Agrees to Truce by Latir Downes-Thomas <latir@earthlink.net> 100) Re: HELP NEEDED by Latir Downes-Thomas <latir@earthlink.net> 101) [Fwd: Nigeria Defends Democracy in Africa] by Latir Downes-Thomas <latir@earthlink.net> 102) Medical Advice Please by EStew68064@aol.com 103) Colleagues in Japan? by "Momodou S Sidibeh" <momodou.sidibeh@stockholm.mail.telia.com> 104) Re: Colleagues in Japan? by binta@iuj.ac.jp 105) help by "Tor Blaha" <blaha@online.no> 106) RE: Colleagues in Japan? by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 107) RE: sorry for being late by BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> 108) SV: Colleagues in Japan? by "Momodou S Sidibeh" <momodou.sidibeh@stockholm.mail.telia.com> 109) Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> 110) Re: Colleagues in Japan? by "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> 111) Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by binta@iuj.ac.jp 112) Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA by Salifuj@aol.com 113) Sierra Leone by binta@iuj.ac.jp 114) Sambujang -Dr. David Gamble by EStew68064@aol.com
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Date: Sun, 13 Jul 1997 15:55:45 +0200 (MET DST) From: Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no> To: <Gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE-IOM Message-ID: <199707131355.PAA10232@online.no> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Tombong
You wrote: "I am not saying the IOM is good or bad, all i am doing is providing information for those who might want to use their services". Those who might want to use their services would very much like to get adequate information.
Quoting Tombong again: "Those who want to know more about IOM can contact them directly, simple as that. Tom it should not be as simple as that hence you were the one who forwarded the information, what about first contact the contacts you gave us to inquire about conditions and terms before forwarding the INFO. Don=B4t be on the defensive.This concerns our careers and future= of our lives.
You only mentione freighting personal belongings, air tickets and funding an establishment for those who might desire to create one. Terms and conditions were absent in your article. How long will the IOM pay for salaries 6 months? After is your government going to take care? If they don=B4t can you come back to the West? You wrote too that the government put their feet down because the process is too long. Is it too long or the burden the govenrment is going to bear after the IOM is real heavy, heavy.
Whilst you were in the US you helped four people and your newest member is Dr. Bruce-Oliver. Tom IOM work closely with governments to carry out civilised repatriation of migrants especially from the so-called third world. Why didn=B4t you use it before you became a diplomat in Washington= DC.
Can your four friend give us their term and conditions of their contracts wih the IOM. Dr.Bruce-Oliver whom you dearly mentioned as as an example could give us his version.=20
Kind regards to all
Omar S. Saho=20
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jul 1997 14:19:52 GMT From: momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Fwd: UNITED NATIONS: Donors Crying 'Wolf'? Message-ID: <1174728670.209101175@inform-bbs.dk>
Copyright 1997 InterPress Service, all rights reserved. Worldwide distribution via the APC networks.
*** 09-Jul-97 ***
Title: UNITED NATIONS: Donors Crying 'Wolf'?
By Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS, Jul 9 (IPS) - The argument by Western donors that they must slash development aid budgets because their own treasuries are running dry doesn't impresss U.N.General Assembly President Razali Ismail of Malaysia.
He points out that while Western nations cry poverty at international conferences, they are collectively planning to spend more than 30 billion dollars to expand the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
''What do our discussions (on economic development) really mean... in the context of a decision to expand NATO?,'' he asks.
The 30 billion dollars in proposed spending on a single military organisation contrasts with the declining 50 billion dollars in official development assistance (ODA) doled out annually to the world's 132 developing nations.
The U.S. Department of Defence says the expansion of the 16- member North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - to include Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic - will cost about 35 billion dollars. Spome 14 billion dollars of this will be paid by new members, 19 billion dollars by European nations and two billion dollars by Washington.
Martin Khor of the Penang-based Third World Network says that at recent U.N. conferences the all-too-familiar refrain was that Western donors are strapped for cash because of domestic budgetary constraints.
''They say they don't have the funds to provide new and additional resources, but yet they have been dishing out billions of dollars to bail out Russia and other East European nations,'' he points out. In the second wave of expansion, NATO is to include two other East European countries: Romania and Slovenia.
Razali says he is disappointed that donors failed to make any firm commitments to increase their official development assistance (ODA) at the recently concluded Special Session on Environment and Development which was a follow-up to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
''There was much ambiguity about the need to reverse the decline of ODA'', he says adding that development assistance had fallen from 0.33 percent of gross national product (GNP) to 0.28 percent over the last five years.
At the Rio conference, more than 180 world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to meet the U.N. target of 0.7 percent of GNP as development assistance. But only five countries - Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands - have met this target.
Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) says that if all countries made good on their pledge to meet the U.N. target, a total of 95 billion dollars could be raised annually, 15 billion dollars more than needed per year to eradicate extreme poverty.
Speaking on behalf of the 15-member European Union (EU), Jan Pronk, the Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation says that both the EU and other donors had agreed to commit to an undertaking to reverse the decline in ODA - but only by the year 2000.
''But the developing countries, the intended beneficiaries of the enterprise, had not accepted the language proposed by the EU to put the undertaking into effect,'' he notes.
In an implicit criticism of the United States, Razali says that even a proposal for new and alternative sources of financing for economic development was shot down at the Special Session.
In fact, ''a political veto'' was applied barring members from even looking at ''innovative financing.''
Since last year, the United States is the only country that has consistently opposed the imposition of any form of global taxes. The proposed global taxes include a fee on speculative international financial transactions, a levy on fossil fuel use (or its resulting pollution) and a stamp tax on international travel.
James Tobin, winner of the 1981 Nobel Prize for Economics, already has proposed a tax on international currency transactions. A 0.5 percent tax on all such transactions could net a revenue of more than 1.5 trillion dollars a year, according to Tobin.
Under a bipartisan agreement reached in Washington last month, the Republicans and Democrats agreed to pay 819 million dollars in U.S. arrears to the United Nations as long as the world body met certain conditions. One of the conditions stipulated was that the United Nations would not seek to impose global taxes on member states.
Last year, the Washington-based General Accounting Office (GAO), a Congressional watchdog body, said that washington has encouraged U.N. delegations to discuss alternative funding sources but has opposed any suggestion that the United Nations be granted authority to impose taxes.
''Because the United Nations is an organisation of sovereign states with no independent power of its own, it has no authority to impose taxes within the jurisdictions of its member states,'' the GAO said.
The study lists six options to raise revenues that have been discussed in the U.N. system: A bond issue; an international lottery; a U.N.-issued credit card; levies on international transportation-related activities and financial transactions; a UN- established international currency exchange and loans from the World Bank.
In a letter to GAO, the State Department said in October 1996 that the U.S. Congress has raised concerns about the authority of the United Nations to impose taxes on U.S. citizens. ''The United Nations cannot impose any form of tax without the consent of the United States,'' the letter said.
The proposal for global taxes has also been shot down by Senator Jesse Helms, the right-wing Republican Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
''It will be a cold day in hell before we allow the United Nations to directly tax American citizens,'' Helms spokesman Marc Thiessen says. ''The United Nations is not a world government. We prefer to stick with the present system where member states make their own contributions to the United Nations.'' (END/IPS/td/mk/97)
Origin: Washington/UNITED NATIONS/ ----
[c] 1997, InterPress Third World News Agency (IPS) All rights reserved
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jul 1997 14:21:47 GMT From: momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Fwd: DEVELOPMENT: Third World Nations Enthusiastic About Expo 2000 Message-ID: <624008366.209101394@inform-bbs.dk>
Copyright 1997 InterPress Service, all rights reserved. Worldwide distribution via the APC networks.
*** 09-Jul-97 ***
Title: DEVELOPMENT: Third World Nations Enthusiastic About Expo 2000
By Ramesh Jaura
BONN, Jul 9 (IPS) - Some 80 developing nations have confirmed that they will be participating in the Expo 2000 world exhibition, due to open in the northern German city of Hanover in the summer of the year 2000.
Ethiopia is the first among them to give a clue as to their plans for this landmark event. ''We will take the visitors to our national pavilion on a virtual journey through several millennia, beginning with the Stone Age to our times,'' says Kassahun Aye le, the Expo commissioner general for Ethiopia.
The north-eastern African state has one of the most sensitive eco-systems, with hot and arid lowlands and the cooler, moister highlands. ''Our land is the cradle of humankind,'' adds Ayele. ''The ancient techniques have been preserved there and at the sa me time the modern ones have been adapted.''
''Ethiopia's commitment shows that the developing nations will use the Expo 2000 to present their experiences to audiences worldwide,'' says Klaus-Juergen Hedrich, parliamentary state secretary, in the rank of deputy minister, at the federal ministry of economic cooperation and development (BMZ).
Altogether 186 nations and nine international organisations are expected to join the exposition to be held in the year 2000, between June and October.
In a wide range of visual presentations and discussions, they will focus on sustainable development and lifestyles, giving fresh impulses for resolving the challenges posed by the 21st century, Expo 2000 officials say.
The Central American states and the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal have also joined Ethiopia in quickly putting down their personal visions for Expo 2000, their aim, to project their own strategies on sustainability.
An amount of 100 million marks (some 60 million dollars) has been allocated to the BMZ in the national budget to ensure that Expo 2000 dedicates itself to the ''future of One World''.
Hedrich is convinced that deriving from their own experiences, ''our partner countries can provide a major contribution in the search for models leading to sustainable lifestyles''.
''Expo 2000 will also provide them a unique opportunity to present their cultures, their traditions and their ways of life to a worldwide audience,'' adds Hedrich.
Encouraged by the key theme 'Humankind-Nature-Technology', the presidents of the Central American states have agreed to set up a regional pavilion, says Peter Conze, director of Expo 2000 office.
The office is based at the headquarters of the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) which has been tasked by the BMZ to assist and advise developing nations participating in the world exhibition.
The diverse contributions will focus on the basic principles of Agenda 21 agreed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janiero five years ago, adds Conze.
He expects the Central American presentation to illustrate the region's role as a bridge between North and South America and the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.
Another example of the developing world's response to Expo 2000 is a blueprint prepared by Nepal, which makes religious co-existence the centrepiece of Nepal's presence in Hanover.
Apart from focussing on its efforts towards development and environment, Nepal plans an exhibition site showing a Buddhist temple on one side and a Hindu pagoda on the other.
The member states of the Southern African Development Community and the Caribbean CARICOM alliance are also expected to each come up with an impressive contribution.
>From among 186 nations and nine international organisations invited to join the Expo 2000, 126 countries and four multilateral bodies have already confirmed their participation.
''This is already more than the number of participants in the last Expo in 1992 in Seville (Spain), and it will enable the exhibition offer a genuinely global forum for encounters, exchanges and discussions,'' the German chancellor said in a recent inter view. (END/IPS/RAJ/RJ/97)
Origin: Amsterdam/DEVELOPMENT/ ----
[c] 1997, InterPress Third World News Agency (IPS) All rights reserved
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 1980 18:27:13 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'Gambia-l@U.washington.edu'" <Gambia-l@U.washington.edu> Subject: Re:(PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <01A8EA96.45057E20@dijl.qatar.net.qa>
***THE BLACK TOWER OF BABEL***
We have already talked about how two or more languages that are genetically related could be separated from each other and eventually end up not being able to talk to each other without the help of a translator;but today we will go one step further by saying that sometimes these related languages would even have different names in different places,a fact that could make it even more difficult,if not impossible,for most people to recognize them.We can cite here French,Italian,Portuguese and Spanish as our example.All of these three languages come from one language,namely,Latin; but each one of them has its separate name and identiy coupled with the fact that none of them could understand each other without a translator.This is precisely what has happened to most of the languages on our continent.And we will show that to be the case in just a moment.But before that we want to clarify one crucial point.A language is just like a town or city: whatever the degree or magnitude of change that it has gone through may be, it will always retain some remnants of its past, and those bits and pieces that survive change are what the historians use to trace back its history and relationship with other languages.One such remnant in Africa's black languages is the Phonology (sound system).It has been observed that almost all the languages that are scattered all over our continent from Chad to the Cape have sounds in them which allow an (m) or an (n) to be directly followed by a consonant, eg : (NG,NK,ND,MP,NK ??.) so that you can find words in them such as gaMBia,ugaNDa,taNZania,ziMBabwe,buruNDi,rwaNDa etc?. The other well known feature of African languages is the manner in which sentences are constructed.In English, for instance, a normal sentence is constructed by first mentioning the Subject then the Verb and then the Object like in (John -had-his lunch) but in Mandinka, the Subject is followed not by the Verb but by the Object and the Verb comes at the end,so that the grammatical translation of this same English sentence into Mandinka would be something like: (John - his lunch - had).And this rule applies to most of Africa's black languages.
Now we want to look at the Languages themselves.The Mother of most of the languages we speak is called: The Niger-Congo Linguistic Family.It had three daughters or branches, and her first daughter to be separated from her was MANDE some six thousand years ago, just few centuries after the First Great Migrations precipitated by the drying of the Sahara.The MANDE branch has since then assumed different names in different parts of the continent, but mainly in West Africa ,and they are: Mandinka, Malinka, Maninka, Kasonka, Bambara, Dyula, Sussou, Sonninke,Mende(Sierra Leone) and Kpelle (Liberia), and they have Speech Communities (people who speak them) in Gambia,Senegal,Mali,Liberia,Sierra Leone,Ivory Coast,Western Ghana,Burkina Faso,Benin and Parts of Nigeria. The Second daugther or branch is called MEL and it includes the following languages: Temne(Sierra Leone),Wollof (Senegambia),Fulla (Senegambia and Several West African Countries),Kru (Liberia,Ivory Coast),Gur (Burkina,Mali,Ivory Coast and Benin), Kwa and that has a dialect in Ivory Coast called Baule and a number of dialects in Ghana called Fante,Twi,Ashanti and Ewe.The same Kwa has another dialect in Benin called Fon.And further,the same Kwa has now become three separate languages in Nigeria,namely, Yoruba,Igbo and Efik. The Third and the last daughter of the Niger-Congo Linguistic Family is called The ADAMAWA Branch, and it includes the following languages: Zande (Northern Zaire,parts of sudan and central Africa); Sango (Zaire,Central Africa and Chad); Bantu which in turn is the Mother of most of the Languages in the Southern African Region and they are: Kikongo and Lingala (Zaire, both of them do understand each other); Isizulu and Isixhosa (South Africa, Mutually intelligible); Sesotho, Sepedi and Setswana (Lesotho,Botswana and S.Africa); Chishona (Zimbabwe); Chibemba (Zambia and Zaire); Chinyanja (Malawi); ****swa (Mozambique); KinyaRwanda and Kirundi (Burundi and Rwandi, mutually intelligible); Luganda (Uganda); Gikikuyu (Kenya); Kiswahili (Kenya,Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire).
So,we will conclude this installment by saying that the frightening number of 1800 languges of black Africa could be condensed into twenty or so languages we have just cited, which is not very much more than the total number of European languages at present. Such a condensation is possible because millions and millions of black Africans speak two or more languages, esp. in the Continents major urban centres.The East African Region is a case in point. Between35 to 40 million people of this Region use Swahili as their LINGUA FRANCA (the Language used to talk to people of other Language groups) and in the West African Region, a slightly less than that number of people use Hausa to talk to each other. As for the Southern African Region, we have seen that in South Africa, Most people speak either Xhosa or Zulu both of which are mutually intelligible; and almost exactly the same thing applies to the two main Languages of the two Congos,namely, Kikongo and Lingala.So, in retrospect, we can say that even though Mother Africa's capacity to communicate with herself is far from ideal, it is nonetheless a gross distortion to label it as "Linguistically confused", but what else could we expect from those who shamelessly earn their living by savaging our continent and her children?! In our NEXT INSTALLMENT, we will explore the Ethnic and Language situation in , where else, "For the Gambia , Our homeland" And until then ???.. Regards Basss!!
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 1997 18:50:09 GMT From: EBRIMA SALL <ebrima@sonatel.senet.net> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Cc: perankh@sonatel.senet.net Subject: Re: Ayi Kwei Armah Message-ID: <199707131850.SAA25791@sv2.sonatel.senet.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
This, indeed, is a very good novel. So, thanks Lat.
I however do not know how easy it is to find copies on sale in the US or elsewhere. In Senegal here, Per Ankh is not using commercial distribution channels. But I do not know how distribution is being done elsewhere. For those may be interested in finding out where and how to get copies, you may want to e-mail Per Ankh (Armah) at the following address and ask them:
perankh@sonatel.senet.net
Good luck!
Ebrima. ----- At 05:57 12/07/97 -0400, you wrote: >Greetings: >I wish to inform the group of the noted African writer Ayi Kwei Armah's >recently published novel - OSIRIS RISING. For those who may not know, >Armah is the author of 'The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born', 'Two >Thousand Seasons' and other novels. >I had the wonderful opprtunity to meet him recently while he was visiting >Atlanta to promote his new work. Armah now resides in Senegal with his >family. It is of great joy to me personally to see some of our greatest >writers drawing inspiration for their works from our great ancestors who >resided along the banks of the Nile! >>OSIRIS RISING, Armah's sixth novel, takes its narrative structure from >Africa's oldest source, the Osiris-Isis myth cycle. Its content has the >urgent relevance of tomorrow's news. The protagonist, Ast, an >African-American scholar, travels to Africa seeking lifework and love. She >finds both. But in the moment of discovery, she also finds that this is >only seed time in Africa. Before future harvests and love's consummation, >the continent's creative ones must discover ways, old and new, to end the >millennial rule of destroyers. > >OSIRIS RISING is published by PER ANKH an 'African printing and publishing >company founded and managed by (Armah's) friends committed to the >emergence of a quality African book industry.' > >In peace, >LatJor. > > Ebrima Sall CODESRIA Box 3304, Dakar Tel: +221-259822/23 (work) Fax:+221-241289 E-mail:codesria@sonatel.senet.net
---------------------------------------- Ebrima Sall Box 16011 Dakar-Fann Senegal Tel:+221-22 53 91 (Home) E-mail:ebrima@sonatel.senet.net
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 1997 17:05:04 -0400 (EDT) From: KTouray@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: A hypothetical venture Message-ID: <970713170503_-1795385894@emout06.mail.aol.com>
Now that our government is claiming to be doing it's very best to spur up the private sector by actively pursuing investors to conduct business I thought it might be useful to present to members of this list a totally madeup situation regarding a group of Gambian investors who hatched out a very ambitious plan to set up a wholesale facility to distribute pharmaceuticals and healthcare products for the regional markets of senegal , guinea bissau , guinea and mali. Again the names and events I recount here are totally fictional. Upon finalising their arrangements with their potential suppliers and partners in Europe and the US, the entrepreneurs flew in to Banjul for their first meeting with the government's top bereaucrat responsible for dealing with investors who are about to set up shop.They secured an appointment for tuesday morning at 9.00 and armed with charts and folders the foursome were warmly greeted and led into the bereaucrats office. "I'd like thank you on behalf of my colleagues for having us on such short notice, my name is Abdou Nyang and with me this morning is Ousman Mbye, Saikou Batchilly and Oulaimatou Jallow. We have put together an idea that we believe would result in the building of the largest wholesale pharmaceutical and healthcare facility in the region. Our aim is to be a one-stop shop for hospitals , clinics and dispensaries for most of their needs.Over the past 18 months we have conducted a fairly comprehensive market analysis of the entire region and concluded that there is indeed a potential for success. We are comitted to initial investment of $2.1 million for the first three years with options to increase considerably if markets trends continue to be positive. We will start by creating 28 jobs excluding the four present here comprising of warehouse hands,three pharmacists , a doctor and other admin staff. Overall our staff budget including contractual hires like lawyers and accountants would pump a projected D300, 000 to the local economy for each of the first three years.With 35% tax rate we believethe govt would also come out a winner. Notwithstanding all the good we anticipate coming out of this we do not believe "Kerr Ida Pharmeceuticals" can be the success we all want it to be until certain issues are addressed. First is our conern that the gov't has not as far as we know provided an area that is strictly zoned for industrial use. Kanifing was supposed to have an industrial area but ithas since been turned to a mish-mash of residential sections. We are hoping that the gov't can find us a situable place to locate our warehouse at no cost. Weare also very concerned with the fluctuation in the supply of power because part of our ware house would consist of a refregerated unit which must be kept on all the time. We are also looking for guarantees from our gov't that all protocols and memoranda of understanding that governs the free trade we have with our neighbors would be continously nurtured. The reason is since we are going to be relying on reexport fo a majority of our business we can't afford to have country's becoming protectionist once the compition gets tough. Our lawyers have looked into current trade agreements and we hope they can maintaned the way they are.We hope these concerns can be addressed in a manner that would see us on the road to success as we seek to make our region a healthy place to live.'
"Thank you Mr Nyang , I must confess that was very impressive presentation . I am always pleased to be presiding over such meetings especially when it is regarding our fellow citizens who are looking for opportunities and in the process creating some more opportunities for others.On the face of it I think it is a fantastic idea. I think limiting purchase time and freight cost would end up saving everyone a lot of money especially big hospitals. The concerns you raise are quite important because they constitute a vital part of your overall plan and while i may not be able to give specific answers at this time i can promise you that i will take them up immediately and work toward a positive resolution. I'd like to ask you a few question.....When are you looking to begin if all goes well?' 'If we are allocated the land we can start building the warehouse very soon afterward. we already have the plans for the facilty with us and we have infact began sounding out local contractors... infact we have a lunch meeting with the guy who runs TAF CONSTRUCTION today. id say we are ready' ' Are you going to be operating as a subsidiary of a foreign company or as a partnership between the four of you.?' 'We are partners and the company is ours...That is not to say we don't have very complicated arrangements with our suppliers. But again that is the way modern commerce works.' 'Well gentlemen i will have answer for you in a week' With firm handshakes and broad smiles and everyone muttering ISHALLAH the meeting was concluded.
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 1997 19:34:22 -0400 (EDT) From: Gabriel Ndow <gndow@Spelman.EDU> To: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: Ayi Kwei Armah Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.95.970713193102.4166A-100000@acc5> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Ebrima: Thanks for the info on Per Ankh. I do know that in Atlanta and several other cities (L.A., Chicago, NY) local African-American bookstores are carrying his book. LatJor
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 1997 20:13:28 -0400 (EDT) From: Gabriel Ndow <gndow@Spelman.EDU> To: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: IOM -Reply Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.95.970713200927.4166C-100000@acc5> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
I hope we do not allow this matter to distract the group's interests. Much of what needed to be said has already been said. Anyone interested in this organization should use the e-mail address furnished to obtain further information. Let us move on.
In peace, LatJor
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 1980 08:59:38 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'gambia-l@u.washington.edu'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: A hypothetical venture Message-ID: <01A8EA47.7224A560@dihg.qatar.net.qa>
Very timely and interesting Scenario! Keep up the good work down there!
Regards Bassss!!
---------- From: KTouray@aol.com[SMTP:KTouray@aol.com] Sent: 08/NEiU CaCea/1418 08:05 a To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List Subject: A hypothetical venture
Now that our government is claiming to be doing it's very best to spur up the private sector by actively pursuing investors to conduct business I thought it might be useful to present to members of this list a totally madeup situation regarding a group of Gambian investors who hatched out a very ambitious plan to set up a wholesale facility to distribute pharmaceuticals and healthcare products for the regional markets of senegal , guinea bissau , guinea and mali. Again the names and events I recount here are totally fictional. Upon finalising their arrangements with their potential suppliers and partners in Europe and the US, the entrepreneurs flew in to Banjul for their first meeting with the government's top bereaucrat responsible for dealing with investors who are about to set up shop.They secured an appointment for tuesday morning at 9.00 and armed with charts and folders the foursome were warmly greeted and led into the bereaucrats office. "I'd like thank you on behalf of my colleagues for having us on such short notice, my name is Abdou Nyang and with me this morning is Ousman Mbye, Saikou Batchilly and Oulaimatou Jallow. We have put together an idea that we believe would result in the building of the largest wholesale pharmaceutical and healthcare facility in the region. Our aim is to be a one-stop shop for hospitals , clinics and dispensaries for most of their needs.Over the past 18 months we have conducted a fairly comprehensive market analysis of the entire region and concluded that there is indeed a potential for success. We are comitted to initial investment of $2.1 million for the first three years with options to increase considerably if markets trends continue to be positive. We will start by creating 28 jobs excluding the four present here comprising of warehouse hands,three pharmacists , a doctor and other admin staff. Overall our staff budget including contractual hires like lawyers and accountants would pump a projected D300, 000 to the local economy for each of the first three years.With 35% tax rate we believethe govt would also come out a winner. Notwithstanding all the good we anticipate coming out of this we do not believe "Kerr Ida Pharmeceuticals" can be the success we all want it to be until certain issues are addressed. First is our conern that the gov't has not as far as we know provided an area that is strictly zoned for industrial use. Kanifing was supposed to have an industrial area but ithas since been turned to a mish-mash of residential sections. We are hoping that the gov't can find us a situable place to locate our warehouse at no cost. Weare also very concerned with the fluctuation in the supply of power because part of our ware house would consist of a refregerated unit which must be kept on all the time. We are also looking for guarantees from our gov't that all protocols and memoranda of understanding that governs the free trade we have with our neighbors would be continously nurtured. The reason is since we are going to be relying on reexport fo a majority of our business we can't afford to have country's becoming protectionist once the compition gets tough. Our lawyers have looked into current trade agreements and we hope they can maintaned the way they are.We hope these concerns can be addressed in a manner that would see us on the road to success as we seek to make our region a healthy place to live.'
"Thank you Mr Nyang , I must confess that was very impressive presentation . I am always pleased to be presiding over such meetings especially when it is regarding our fellow citizens who are looking for opportunities and in the process creating some more opportunities for others.On the face of it I think it is a fantastic idea. I think limiting purchase time and freight cost would end up saving everyone a lot of money especially big hospitals. The concerns you raise are quite important because they constitute a vital part of your overall plan and while i may not be able to give specific answers at this time i can promise you that i will take them up immediately and work toward a positive resolution. I'd like to ask you a few question.....When are you looking to begin if all goes well?' 'If we are allocated the land we can start building the warehouse very soon afterward. we already have the plans for the facilty with us and we have infact began sounding out local contractors... infact we have a lunch meeting with the guy who runs TAF CONSTRUCTION today. id say we are ready' ' Are you going to be operating as a subsidiary of a foreign company or as a partnership between the four of you.?' 'We are partners and the company is ours...That is not to say we don't have very complicated arrangements with our suppliers. But again that is the way modern commerce works.' 'Well gentlemen i will have answer for you in a week' With firm handshakes and broad smiles and everyone muttering ISHALLAH the meeting was concluded.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 09:42:36 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> To: "'gambia'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: IOM - reply finished Message-ID: <9B236DF9AF96CF11A5C94044F321903110108A@dkdifs02.dif.dk> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Friends, all contributions to Gambia-L is given wholehearted I hope. We don=B4t know each other, ones background (except for a short introduction), motives or purposes, but we should respect one another for the interest in The Gambia, Gambian issues, development, politics, education, health-and all that. It=B4s up to each one of us to judge = the information given, but we don=B4t need to be personal and attack each other. Critics, corrections, advises can be given (and received) in an objective and even polite manner - please. Send with a smile fra = Asbj=F8rn Nordam
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 10:25:52 +0200 From: momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: IOM -Reply Message-ID: <19970714092826.AAB8672@LOCALNAME>
On 13 Jul 97 at 20:13, Gabriel Ndow wrote:
> I hope we do not allow this matter to distract the group's > interests. Much of what needed to be said has already been said. > Anyone interested in this organization should use the e-mail address > furnished to obtain further information. Let us move on. >
Thats right Latjor, thanks!
Momodou Camara
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 1980 12:16:40 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'gambia-l@u.washington.edu'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: IOM - reply finished Message-ID: <01A8EA62.4DF95A80@digk.qatar.net.qa>
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK DOWN THERE!
REGARDS BASSS!!
---------- From: Asbjorn Nordam[SMTP:asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk] Sent: 09/NEiU CaCea/1418 10:42 O To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List Subject: IOM - reply finished
Friends, all contributions to Gambia-L is given wholehearted I hope. We don?t know each other, ones background (except for a short introduction), motives or purposes, but we should respect one another for the interest in The Gambia, Gambian issues, development, politics, education, health-and all that. It?s up to each one of us to judge the information given, but we don?t need to be personal and attack each other. Critics, corrections, advises can be given (and received) in an objective and even polite manner - please. Send with a smile fra Asbjorn Nordam
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 11:32:28 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> To: "'gambia'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Recommendations on West-african litterature Message-ID: <9B236DF9AF96CF11A5C94044F321903110108C@dkdifs02.dif.dk> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Thanks to Lat for given notice on this african writer Ayi Kwen Armah. I=B4ll try and see if his novels are available in Copenhagen. Last year Ben Okri was one of my summer-holiday-readings, and it gave me a lot of new experiences. Even employed by Danish Sports Federation, I must disclose that I am an academic in nordic literature from the university of =C5rhus, Denmark, and literature is my great interest. Some of the "lectures" given here on Gambia-I by my friend Bass, has even made me more and more interested in the african myth-universe, trying to come closer to an understanding. By the end many of them has similarities to "our" ancient myths, told and formed by the origin people living in our part of the world. To me it=B4s good to know, that people living = isolated from each other, under different conditions, "explain" their life-situation and the "non-explainable" in nearly the same myths- (indians - incas - africans - eskimos - etc.) Many are related to what we with our limited knowledge will call "religion". If some of you has other recommendations on litterature, specially from West-african region, please put them here or on my personal e-mail-adress, thanks. Asbj=F8rn Nordam
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Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 14:57:07 +0200 From: Badara Joof <Joof@winhlp.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: RE: IOM - reply finished Message-ID: <10ABECE967B3D01185FC0060B0514259068954@obelix.winhlp.no> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Hie Asbj=F8rn, I really do agree with you. There should not be anything personal in this communication line. We should be matured enough to criticize and at the same time be criticized in a correct or polite manner. I think it is high time that we discuss issues without taking things very personal. Please let us all keep that in mind.
> -----Original Message----- > From: Asbj=F8rn Nordam [SMTP:asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk] > Sent: 14. juli 1997 09:43 > To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List > Subject: IOM - reply finished >=20 > Friends, all contributions to Gambia-L is given wholehearted I hope. > We > don=B4t know each other, ones background (except for a short > introduction), motives or purposes, but we should respect one another > for the interest in The Gambia, Gambian issues, development, = politics, > education, health-and all that. It=B4s up to each one of us to judge = the > information given, but we don=B4t need to be personal and attack each > other. Critics, corrections, advises can be given (and received) in = an > objective and even polite manner - please. Send with a smile fra > Asbj=F8rn > Nordam
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 14:45:40 +0100 (BST) From: "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re:(PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <Pine.HPP.3.91.970714143842.21075B-100000@whale.students.stir.ac.uk> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
It would really be appreciated if at the end of every instalment, Bass provides, if possible, a list of his sources. Of course, there will be no need for this if he is not consulting any.
Regards, Momodou
On Fri, 4 Jan 1980, BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH wrote:
> > ***THE BLACK TOWER OF BABEL*** > > We have already talked about how two or more languages that are genetically > related could be separated from each other and eventually end up not being > able to talk to each other without the help of a translator;but today we > will go one step further by saying that sometimes these related languages > would even have different names in different places,a fact that could make > it even more difficult,if not impossible,for most people to recognize > them.We can cite here French,Italian,Portuguese and Spanish as our > example.All of these three languages come from one language,namely,Latin; > but each one of them has its separate name and identiy coupled with the > fact that none of them could understand each other without a > translator.This is precisely what has happened to most of the languages on > our continent.And we will show that to be the case in just a moment.But > before that we want to clarify one crucial point.A language is just like a > town or city: whatever the degree or magnitude of change that it has gone > through may be, it will always retain some remnants of its past, and those > bits and pieces that survive change are what the historians use to trace > back its history and relationship with other languages.One such remnant in > Africa's black languages is the Phonology (sound system).It has been > observed that almost all the languages that are scattered all over our > continent from Chad to the Cape have sounds in them which allow an (m) or > an (n) to be directly followed by a consonant, eg : (NG,NK,ND,MP,NK ??.) so > that you can find words in them such as > gaMBia,ugaNDa,taNZania,ziMBabwe,buruNDi,rwaNDa etc?. The other well known > feature of African languages is the manner in which sentences are > constructed.In English, for instance, a normal sentence is constructed by > first mentioning the Subject then the Verb and then the Object like in > (John -had-his lunch) but in Mandinka, the Subject is followed not by the > Verb but by the Object and the Verb comes at the end,so that the > grammatical translation of this same English sentence into Mandinka would > be something like: (John - his lunch - had).And this rule applies to most > of Africa's black languages. > > Now we want to look at the Languages themselves.The Mother of most of the > languages we speak is called: The Niger-Congo Linguistic Family.It had > three daughters or branches, and her first daughter to be separated from > her was MANDE some six thousand years ago, just few centuries after the > First Great Migrations precipitated by the drying of the Sahara.The MANDE > branch has since then assumed different names in different parts of the > continent, but mainly in West Africa ,and they are: Mandinka, Malinka, > Maninka, Kasonka, Bambara, Dyula, Sussou, Sonninke,Mende(Sierra Leone) and > Kpelle (Liberia), and they have Speech Communities (people who speak them) > in Gambia,Senegal,Mali,Liberia,Sierra Leone,Ivory Coast,Western > Ghana,Burkina Faso,Benin and Parts of Nigeria. > The Second daugther or branch is called MEL and it includes the following > languages: Temne(Sierra Leone),Wollof (Senegambia),Fulla (Senegambia and > Several West African Countries),Kru (Liberia,Ivory Coast),Gur > (Burkina,Mali,Ivory Coast and Benin), Kwa and that has a dialect in Ivory > Coast called Baule and a number of dialects in Ghana called > Fante,Twi,Ashanti and Ewe.The same Kwa has another dialect in Benin called > Fon.And further,the same Kwa has now become three separate languages in > Nigeria,namely, Yoruba,Igbo and Efik. > The Third and the last daughter of the Niger-Congo Linguistic Family is > called The ADAMAWA Branch, and it includes the following languages: Zande > (Northern Zaire,parts of sudan and central Africa); Sango (Zaire,Central > Africa and Chad); Bantu which in turn is the Mother of most of the > Languages in the Southern African Region and they are: Kikongo and Lingala > (Zaire, both of them do understand each other); Isizulu and Isixhosa (South > Africa, Mutually intelligible); Sesotho, Sepedi and Setswana > (Lesotho,Botswana and S.Africa); Chishona (Zimbabwe); Chibemba (Zambia and > Zaire); Chinyanja (Malawi); ****swa (Mozambique); KinyaRwanda and Kirundi > (Burundi and Rwandi, mutually intelligible); Luganda (Uganda); Gikikuyu > (Kenya); Kiswahili (Kenya,Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire). > > So,we will conclude this installment by saying that the frightening number > of 1800 languges of black Africa could be condensed into twenty or so > languages we have just cited, which is not very much more than the total > number of European languages at present. Such a condensation is possible > because millions and millions of black Africans speak two or more > languages, esp. in the Continents major urban centres.The East African > Region is a case in point. Between35 to 40 million people of this Region > use Swahili as their LINGUA FRANCA (the Language used to talk to people of > other Language groups) and in the West African Region, a slightly less than > that number of people use Hausa to talk to each other. As for the Southern > African Region, we have seen that in South Africa, Most people speak either > Xhosa or Zulu both of which are mutually intelligible; and almost exactly > the same thing applies to the two main Languages of the two Congos,namely, > Kikongo and Lingala.So, in retrospect, we can say that even though Mother > Africa's capacity to communicate with herself is far from ideal, it is > nonetheless a gross distortion to label it as "Linguistically confused", > but what else could we expect from those who shamelessly earn their living > by savaging our continent and her children?! In our NEXT INSTALLMENT, we > will explore the Ethnic and Language situation in , where else, "For the > Gambia , Our homeland" And until then ???.. > Regards Basss!! > > >
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 12:44:59 -0400 (EDT) From: David Gilden <dgilden@tiac.net> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Getting unsubscribed (how do I) Message-ID: <l03102802afefceabd527@[204.215.135.128]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
For the benefit of some of the new members here how do you unsubscribe to this list?
FYI: African Travel Web site : http://www.spectortravel.com I created this web site.. have a look!
*Cora Connection Your West African, Manding Music Source*
http://www.drive.net/kora.htm
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 09:53:30 -0700 From: Liz STewart <liz@stanne.com> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Ayi Kwei Armah Message-ID: <l03102800aff009c2bfd5@[38.216.19.3]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>Ebrima: >Thanks for the info on Per Ankh. I do know that in Atlanta and several >other cities (L.A., Chicago, NY) local African-American >bookstores are carrying his book. >LatJor
Can anyone tell me what this book is, and if there are any GAmbian novels available in the U.S.? Thanks Liz Stewart Fatti
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Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 12:53:33 -0400 (EDT) From: "N'Deye Marie N'Jie" <njie.1@osu.edu> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu, africans@iastate.edu Subject: RESEARCH POSITION @ UNIV. MINNESOTA (FWD) Message-ID: <2.2.16.19970714125128.271fd434@postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>>>Date: Fri, 11 Jul 1997 14:57:34 -0500 >>From: "Kathleen A. Evans" <kevans@maroon.tc.umn.edu> >>Subject: AE-CHAIRS> POSITION AVAILABLE >>Sender: owner-ae-chairs@reeusda.gov >>To: ae-chairs@maat.reeusda.gov >> >>Below is a position announcement for a research fellow (M.S. required) or= a=20 >>research associate (Ph.D. required) working in the area of livestock odor.= =20 >>Please pass this information along to individuals who may be interested in the=20 >>position. Thank you for your assistance. >> >>----------------------- >> >>Research Fellow/Research Associate >>Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department >>University of Minnesota >> >>The Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering is accepting=20 >>applications for a full-time research fellow/associate working in the area= of=20 >>livestock odor and specifically under a project to develop a farm odor ratings=20 >>system. The position is for two years with possible extensions. >> >>Job Description: >> >>Duties of the position include data analysis, assisting in the development= of=20 >>data collection protocol, supervising field data collection, validation= and=20 >>modification of odor dispersion models using field sampling data and=20 >>meteorological data, assisting in the olfactometry lab, assisting in odor >plume=20 >>measurements, library searches, and writing progress and research reports. >> >>Qualifications: >> >>Required: A master=D5s in engineering or science, demonstrated written= and oral=20 >>communications skills, data analysis skills, good interpersonal and=20 >>organizational skills, valid U.S. drivers license, and non-smoker (a >requirement >>for doing odor plume monitoring and working in the olfactometry lab). >> >>Desired: Experience with experimental research, odor measurement, and >modeling=20 >>physical processes using mathematical equations. >> >>Salary/Benefits: >> >>Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. University of >Minnesota >>benefit plan. >> >>Application: >> >>Send letter of application, including curriculum vitae; college >transcripts; and >>names, addresses and telephone numbers of three professional references by >July=20 >>31, 1997 to: >> >> Livestock Odor Position Search Committee >> c/o Kathy Evans >> Dept. of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering >> University of Minnesota >> 1390 Eckles Avenue >> St. Paul, MN 55108-6005 >> >>Application Deadline: July 31, 1997 >> >>The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons= shall=20 >>have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without >regard to=20 >>race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status,= =20 >>disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual= orientation. >> >> >>Kathleen Evans >>Administrative Director >>Dept. of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering >>220B Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Bldg >>St. Paul, MN 55108-6005 >> >>Telephone: (612) 625-1905 >>Fax: (612) 624-3005 >>E-mail: kevans@maroon.tc.umn.edu >> >> >> > > >
----------------------------------- N'Deye Marie N'Jie =20 Graduate Research Associate The Ohio State University Rm 260 Agricultural Engineering Bldg 590 Woody Hayes Drive Columbus, OH 43210
Fax: (614)292-9448 Phone: (614) 688-3445 (W) E-mail: njie.1@osu.edu
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Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 19:14:03 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> To: "'gambia'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Spectortravel advertisement Message-ID: <9B236DF9AF96CF11A5C94044F321903110108E@DKDIFS02> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Mr. David Gilden, I took a look on all the pages, and it=B4s really = nice pictures. Just one question. I know from my gambian friends and families, that there are luckily often naming-ceremonies, but how can you promise travellers/foreigners to join such a ceremony? Or am I naive, is it just a symbolic one, given for the tourists ? Asbj=F8rn Nordam
"FYI: African Travel Web site : http://www.spectortravel.com I created this web site.. have a look!
1/2 day city tour of Banjul, including The Gambia orphan village, = health center and nursery/primary school, where you will present the clothing, medical and school supplies that you have brought from America.=20 Juffreh, African naming ceremony and Gambian dance and music=20 Symposiums and workshops with transfers "
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Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 11:31:23 -0700 (PDT) From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: New member Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.96.970714113000.16248C-100000@saul6.u.washington.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Aki Allen, Gambia based, has been added to the list. We welcome him and will be looking forward to his introduction and contributions.
Thanks Tony
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Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 20:07:50 +0100 (BST) From: O BALDEH <O.Baldeh@Bradford.ac.uk> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Cc: obaldeh@bradfordac.uk Subject: Cancer of language and tribe Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.970714190251.24215B-100000@kite.cen.brad.ac.uk> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
I wish to refer to one Momodou's e-mail of 14july 1997 on the above item requesting one Bass to provide us the sources of his 'lectures'
I am also very much interested if Bass can attend to this request to help futher reading to complement the 'lectures' particularly on a topic as important as 'source of existence.'
Secundo, it will be appreciated if he can offer us a scientific analysis of the causal relation between culture and language which he has been 'lecturing' on for the past month.
This is particularly important when Bass wants to land himself on The Gambian infrastructure with a fait accompli analysis after hitting on the ROMANS, GREEKS, DES GALLOIS ENGLISH and from SUDAN ETHIOPIA CHAD To SENEGABIA. And moreso when he wants to indicate that ma ngi dem Gambia or ma ngi leka dommoda is not possible. (cf your note on sentence structure)
Futher than that BASS seems to refuse us the secrets of the TOWER OF BABEL you used as a heading. Thus it will be desirable to offer an 'evening classes' on this topic before going to the Gambia or else your lectures will appear to social scientists and particularly linguists or the adeptes of Gambia -l as a mere descriptive endeavour: The scientists visited Mars on 14 July 1920 and came back late at night!
Amigo Bass beware of irony and my puctuation which are salt and pepper for chebu jen bu neh. And i know somebody like you will understand my setting and dialectic in this piece of music
I will put in some inputs in this topic to partly indicate the schizo.. alineation assimilation that are associayted with language/ culture and indicate that the latter has been and still the medium of the ways some of act, live eat dress die... as depicts our styles in gambia-l. oh oh oh ohoooo and a bottle of rum. Die don't bie . do they? can i write in any of the national languages of gambial-l using prenasales as claims BASSS? can i know why i and many of you are force into multilinguisme? oh let me stop here je suis deja ivre. You know langage makes me drunk!!
Bass we hope that you will offer us a reading list before you travel to tthe Gambia: to help us complement the lectures and entrtain intellectual property rights when we quote our professor!
Su ko defeh waktanibi neh si sun bantabi
Salama
Omar Baldeh
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Date: 14 Jul 97 15:05:27 EDT From: "Dr. S. G. Kamara" <73244.2701@CompuServe.COM> To: "INTERNET:gambia-l@u.washington.edu" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: Ayi Kwei Armah Message-ID: <970714190527_73244.2701_FHO65-1@CompuServe.COM>
There is new Sierra Leonean novel "The Spirit of Badenia" (US$ 15) that might interest you. If so, please write to P.O. Box 110698, Tacoma, WA. 98411.
Regards,
Sheikh Gibril.
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Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 15:11:16 -0400 (EDT) From: ASJanneh@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: IOM Beneficiary (A Janneh) Message-ID: <970714150844_1927669782@emout15.mail.aol.com>
Gambia-l:
I have been too busy to read my messages, but I need to mention a few things about IOM.
I received a grant from the organization at the beginning of 1993 to return to The Gambia following an appointment with the Gambia Government (Ministry of External Affairs). I was given a $1,500 check, a 20-foot container for my belongings, and three one-way air tickets to The Gambia (for my family). I worked in the Gambia for about eight months, didn't like the atmosphere, and returned right back to teaching in the US.
Peace! Amadou Scattred Janneh
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Date: Fri, 4 Jan 1980 22:40:46 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'gambia-l@u.washington.edu'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: (PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <01A8EAB9.9B210540@digl.qatar.net.qa>
Mr.Njie! Thanks for your response! My sources are as follows:- 1) The Oxford Anthology of English Literature.(Vol.1) 2) The Language Files (Ohio State University) 3) Compton's New Century Encyclopedia 4) Encarta 96 Encyclopedia 5) The New Grolier Encyclopedia 6) The Development of Islam in West Africa ( Mervyn Hesket) 7) The Africans ( David Lamb) 8) The Destuction Of Black Civilisation (Chancellor Williams) 9) The African Origin Of Civilization (Prof. Chiekh Anta Diop) 10) Precolonial Black Africa ( Prof. Chieckh Anta Diop) 11) Language Thought and Action (S.I.Hayakawa)
Regards Bassss!! ---------- From: M. Njie[SMTP:mn015@students.stir.ac.uk] Sent: 09/NEiU CaCea/1418 05:45 a To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List Subject: Re:(PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA
It would really be appreciated if at the end of every instalment, Bass provides, if possible, a list of his sources. Of course, there will be no need for this if he is not consulting any.
Regards, Momodou
On Fri, 4 Jan 1980, BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH wrote:
> > ***THE BLACK TOWER OF BABEL*** > > We have already talked about how two or more languages that are genetically > related could be separated from each other and eventually end up not being > able to talk to each other without the help of a translator;but today we > will go one step further by saying that sometimes these related languages > would even have different names in different places,a fact that could make > it even more difficult,if not impossible,for most people to recognize > them.We can cite here French,Italian,Portuguese and Spanish as our > example.All of these three languages come from one language,namely,Latin; > but each one of them has its separate name and identiy coupled with the > fact that none of them could understand each other without a > translator.This is precisely what has happened to most of the languages on > our continent.And we will show that to be the case in just a moment.But > before that we want to clarify one crucial point.A language is just like a > town or city: whatever the degree or magnitude of change that it has gone > through may be, it will always retain some remnants of its past, and those > bits and pieces that survive change are what the historians use to trace > back its history and relationship with other languages.One such remnant in > Africa's black languages is the Phonology (sound system).It has been > observed that almost all the languages that are scattered all over our > continent from Chad to the Cape have sounds in them which allow an (m) or > an (n) to be directly followed by a consonant, eg : (NG,NK,ND,MP,NK ??.) so > that you can find words in them such as > gaMBia,ugaNDa,taNZania,ziMBabwe,buruNDi,rwaNDa etc?. The other well known > feature of African languages is the manner in which sentences are > constructed.In English, for instance, a normal sentence is constructed by > first mentioning the Subject then the Verb and then the Object like in > (John -had-his lunch) but in Mandinka, the Subject is followed not by the > Verb but by the Object and the Verb comes at the end,so that the > grammatical translation of this same English sentence into Mandinka would > be something like: (John - his lunch - had).And this rule applies to most > of Africa's black languages. > > Now we want to look at the Languages themselves.The Mother of most of the > languages we speak is called: The Niger-Congo Linguistic Family.It had > three daughters or branches, and her first daughter to be separated from > her was MANDE some six thousand years ago, just few centuries after the > First Great Migrations precipitated by the drying of the Sahara.The MANDE > branch has since then assumed different names in different parts of the > continent, but mainly in West Africa ,and they are: Mandinka, Malinka, > Maninka, Kasonka, Bambara, Dyula, Sussou, Sonninke,Mende(Sierra Leone) and > Kpelle (Liberia), and they have Speech Communities (people who speak them) > in Gambia,Senegal,Mali,Liberia,Sierra Leone,Ivory Coast,Western > Ghana,Burkina Faso,Benin and Parts of Nigeria. > The Second daugther or branch is called MEL and it includes the following > languages: Temne(Sierra Leone),Wollof (Senegambia),Fulla (Senegambia and > Several West African Countries),Kru (Liberia,Ivory Coast),Gur > (Burkina,Mali,Ivory Coast and Benin), Kwa and that has a dialect in Ivory > Coast called Baule and a number of dialects in Ghana called > Fante,Twi,Ashanti and Ewe.The same Kwa has another dialect in Benin called > Fon.And further,the same Kwa has now become three separate languages in > Nigeria,namely, Yoruba,Igbo and Efik. > The Third and the last daughter of the Niger-Congo Linguistic Family is > called The ADAMAWA Branch, and it includes the following languages: Zande > (Northern Zaire,parts of sudan and central Africa); Sango (Zaire,Central > Africa and Chad); Bantu which in turn is the Mother of most of the > Languages in the Southern African Region and they are: Kikongo and Lingala > (Zaire, both of them do understand each other); Isizulu and Isixhosa (South > Africa, Mutually intelligible); Sesotho, Sepedi and Setswana > (Lesotho,Botswana and S.Africa); Chishona (Zimbabwe); Chibemba (Zambia and > Zaire); Chinyanja (Malawi); ****swa (Mozambique); KinyaRwanda and Kirundi > (Burundi and Rwandi, mutually intelligible); Luganda (Uganda); Gikikuyu > (Kenya); Kiswahili (Kenya,Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire). > > So,we will conclude this installment by saying that the frightening number > of 1800 languges of black Africa could be condensed into twenty or so > languages we have just cited, which is not very much more than the total > number of European languages at present. Such a condensation is possible > because millions and millions of black Africans speak two or more > languages, esp. in the Continents major urban centres.The East African > Region is a case in point. Between35 to 40 million people of this Region > use Swahili as their LINGUA FRANCA (the Language used to talk to people of > other Language groups) and in the West African Region, a slightly less than > that number of people use Hausa to talk to each other. As for the Southern > African Region, we have seen that in South Africa, Most people speak either > Xhosa or Zulu both of which are mutually intelligible; and almost exactly > the same thing applies to the two main Languages of the two Congos,namely, > Kikongo and Lingala.So, in retrospect, we can say that even though Mother > Africa's capacity to communicate with herself is far from ideal, it is > nonetheless a gross distortion to label it as "Linguistically confused", > but what else could we expect from those who shamelessly earn their living > by savaging our continent and her children?! In our NEXT INSTALLMENT, we > will explore the Ethnic and Language situation in , where else, "For the > Gambia , Our homeland" And until then ???.. > Regards Basss!! > > >
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Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 17:35:17 -0400 (EDT) From: Raye Sosseh <gt8065b@prism.gatech.edu> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Request: Membership Message-ID: <199707142135.RAA06310@acmey.gatech.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
List managers, Could you please add Modou Loum to the list.... e-mail: mloum@chat.carleton.ca It seems like his name was accidently taken off the list or something..... cause he claims he's not receiving mail from the list anymore.
Thnx
************************************************************** * Raye Sosseh * * George Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering * * Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332 * * Internet: gt8065b@prism.gatech.edu * * * * Quote * * ----- * * "Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city,* * it might be better to change the locks." * * * **************************************************************
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Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 14:56:49 -0700 (PDT) From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Another new member Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.96.970714145502.4242C-100000@saul3.u.washington.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Sohna Sallah has been added to the list. We welcome her and will be looking forward to her introduction and contributions. Thanks Tony
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Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 23:14:40 -0400 (EDT) From: Gabriel Ndow <gndow@Spelman.EDU> To: Raye Sosseh <gt8065b@PRISM.GATECH.EDU> Cc: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: Request: Membership Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.95.970714231405.7941C-100000@acc5> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Modou Loum has been added back to the list. LatJor
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Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 00:29:22 -0400 (EDT) From: David Gilden <dgilden@tiac.net> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Spectortravel advertisement Message-ID: <l03102800aff072caa140@[204.215.135.128]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
In reference to that particular trip I can not say for certain, as I had nothing to do with planing that trip. My personal experience is quite different from most non- African travelers looking for an exotic place for their vacation.
I would recommend anybody thinking of going to West Africa to travel with a friend ( A Gambian of course) Stay in the hotel for a few days then go live your friends family. Only then can you get to know African culture. Your travel experience will be a lot richer! (And plan to stay for a minimum of 3 weeks not 10 days!) Dowda..
> >"FYI: African Travel Web site : http://www.spectortravel.com >I created this web site.. have a look! > >1/2 day city tour of Banjul, including The Gambia orphan village, health >center and nursery/primary school, > where you will present the clothing, medical and school >supplies that you have brought from America. > Juffreh, African naming ceremony and Gambian dance and music > Symposiums and workshops with transfers "
*Cora Connection Your West African, Manding Music Source*
http://www.drive.net/kora.htm
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Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 00:41:23 -0700 From: latjor Ndow <ndukuman@avana.net> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Ayi Kwei Armah Message-ID: <33CB29A3.1E76@avana.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Greetings: In response to Liz Stewart Fatti's question as to what the book "Osiris Rising" was about I thought I should allow the author to speak for himself. I shall venture to post an excerpt from the novel (hope it is not too much) for the general body. LatJor ++++++++++++++++++ Ch. VIII: Reswt "Food's ready," Asar said. "I don't think Moko intends us to wait for him." There was a good selection: okra stew, grated nuts, diced fruit, broiled chicken, fried fish and shrimps, rice, fonio, maize meal, mashed yam, egg salad. The Mystic Comrade was the first to walk away from the table with her plate. She avoided the meat and concentrated on egg salad, yam and grated nuts, with a bit of okra stew. She went to sit at the foot of the sofa. Others served themselves and went to sit near her, forming a compact circle. The conversation hovered around the quality of the cooking. Bai Kamara said he was familiar with Asar's cooking, that it was great, but that tonight's menu was of a different order. Asar confessed he had merely followed Ast's instructions. Ast said:"We went fifty-fifty, I made the salad; he did the rest." "Some men," Iva Mensa said, "want to enter the next century not knowing how to cook. Ndeye, can your husband cook yet?" "He's a retarded student." "But an eager cook," said Bai Kamara. "She's too conservative to understand my cooking. It's revolutionary." Ndeye said. "He knows a single recipe. Cut all you see into giant lumps. Dump in a monster casserole. Smother with salt, pepper and garlic. Add a bottle of grease. Turn the fire way up. Wait for smoke signals. Serve charred." "The voice of jealousy," said the husband. "Listen, you're all invited next Saturday. Our place. My cooking." "Ast, how long have you been here?" Maanan Djan asked. "My third month." Ast said. "You don't have to answer if I'm prying," the Mystic Comrade said. The music formed a discreet background. "Why did you decide to come to Manda?" "I don't remember when I decided to return to Africa," Ast said. "Seems I've always known I would. Years back I met Asar in the US. Meeting him gave me a clearer idea of where I'd like to come. I planned to teach at a university where something was happening. You know, forward intellectual movement." The silence deepened. Ast had the impression she had said something that caused her new friends some unease. She was startled to see that others were listening. The Mystic Comrade's face took an inward look. Bai Kamara laughed: "Here we're moving forward all right, but in reverse gear." Ast expected laughter, perhaps a rebuttal. There was only a pensive silence. The Mystic Comrade said: "We're stalled." "That's so true," said Dineo Letsie, her voice vibrating. "Why?" Ast asked. "We have valid arguments on our side," Dineo said wistfully. "In a university the most rational arguments are supposed to win." Asar said: "The other side doesn't need great intellectual arguments to survive. the system works for them, against change. To beat them we'll have to move beyond just having good ideas. We have to get organized." "So far we haven't been organized at all." said Dineo Letsie. "We've formulated a pretty effective critique of the present system," protested Bai Kamara. Manaan Djan asked: "Might that not be part of our problem? We've remained blocked at the level of critical comments." "Manaan is right," Dineo Letsie said. "What would you suggest?" asked Bai Kamara. Asar answered: "That we shift the debate from criticism of the old system to the design and testing of a new one." "Hey, hey," sang Dineo Letsie, "and make the idealess people play carping critics from now on. Grrrreat idea." "I suppose you're right, Asar," said Bai Kamara. Dineo Letsie said: "Last year we got trapped into a static pattern. We argued against the existing system. The Senate said these critiques are all very fine, but no one proposes practical alternatives, so what's there to discuss?" Asar said, "We got stuck before the old challenge: design a new system, do detailed research to outline necessary content, compare it to the old, argue its superiority in open debate, then organize its practical implementation." "That we didn't do," said the Mystic Comrade. Bai Kamara nodded agreement, then asked: "Can we?" "Isn't that what we're getting at?" the Mystic Comrade asked. "Yes," Bai agreed. He looked uncomfortable. "But casual talk, even serious talk about a new system, is one thing. We've done a lot of that. Actually designing a new system - not just continuing to work in the old framework while making critical noises, pushing for small changes here and there - that's a different game. You think we're ready for that?" The circle tightened. Kojo Boanye said: "We've been arguing about this in Education for months. Isn't that our work?" Bai Kamara shook his head. "So far its been our work. From the time I began teaching, all we Africans have done is to find stuff ready made - syllabuses, curricula, the whole educational system. We have operated within this old system. Sometimes we grumble. We suggest modifications here and there. Low energy dabbling. What we're facing now is different. High energy work. Not just attacking something conveniently available. But creating a superior system. Working to replace the old with it."
++++
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Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 09:01:02 +0200 (MET DST) From: ASJanneh@aol.com (by way of Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no>) To: <Gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: IOM Beneficiary (A Janneh) Message-ID: <199707150701.JAA28942@online.no> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Hi Bros ans Sis i am deeply apologisng for returninga reply on the IOM issue. I respected the fact that the discussion was concluded through appeals from some of us. But i have to reply to this and shut the issue from my side.
Amadou you can be a benrficiary of the IOM. But the real fact is IOM is a civilised way of repatriating People from The third World. The fact is IOM will take care of you for approximately 6 months to one year and you government will take over as your sole employer from there. The IOM process takes about 6 months cause the procedure is from Washington, Brussells and then Nairobi and they will send you home the Cheapest way. Contact Sam Bruce Oliver at NARI TEL: 220 484 925 at NARI and by the way he didn=B4t benefit= at all from IOM.
Amadou in the US you can come, go and work as you wish. But in Europe you have to have working and residence permit plus ID card with personal number. Once the IOM negotiates for you to go home you are remove from the statistic register of duellers and your personal number is omitted. Once you are out your residence nd working permit is no more valid. I am definitely sure if you were in Europe you will never be back after accepting a civilised repatriation from the IOM:
With kind regards
Omar S. Saho
Gambia-l:
I have been too busy to read my messages, but I need to mention a few things about IOM.
I received a grant from the organization at the beginning of 1993 to return to The Gambia following an appointment with the Gambia Government (Ministry of External Affairs). I was given a $1,500 check, a 20-foot container for= my belongings, and three one-way air tickets to The Gambia (for my family). I worked in the Gambia for about eight months, didn't like the atmosphere, and returned right back to teaching in the US. =20
Peace! Amadou Scattred Janneh
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Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 09:29:51 +0100 From: Abdou Gibba <Abdou.Gibba@smr.uib.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Fwd: UNITED NATIONS: Donors Crying 'Wolf'? Message-ID: <2.2.32.19970715082951.00706ac4@golf.uib.no> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Is this not the "International Community" we are all pre-occupied of impressing? The lesson is, the cold-war is over and so is the interest to win allies in the "Developing World" over too. One very good thing that should come out of this, is the awareness of intended beneficiary nations that there is limited aid so therefore they should make ends meet by themselves. And, this is only possible by putting the interest of individual nations and regions respectfully first (as ODA contributors are doing) without fear for sanctions or any other form of intimidation. Besides, what sanction or an attempt to intimidate, say, the whole of Africa make any significance. The name of the game is SELF-INTEREST. The question should be "KANN LA HAJ PUPP GANAW NEGII YAYAM"?????
The first and most crucial step is to get started. We are aware of what's going on but still couldn't dare take the first necessary step.
I HOPE OUR GENERATION WILL MAKE A VERY BIG DIFFERENCE.
Regards, Abdou Oujimai
>Title: UNITED NATIONS: Donors Crying 'Wolf'? > >By Thalif Deen > >UNITED NATIONS, Jul 9 (IPS) - The argument by Western donors that >they must slash development aid budgets because their own >treasuries are running dry doesn't impresss U.N.General Assembly >President Razali Ismail of Malaysia. > >He points out that while Western nations cry poverty at >international conferences, they are collectively planning to spend >more than 30 billion dollars to expand the North Atlantic Treaty >Organisation (NATO). > >''What do our discussions (on economic development) really >mean... in the context of a decision to expand NATO?,'' he asks. > >The 30 billion dollars in proposed spending on a single >military organisation contrasts with the declining 50 billion >dollars in official development assistance (ODA) doled out >annually to the world's 132 developing nations. > >The U.S. Department of Defence says the expansion of the 16- >member North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - to include >Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic - will cost about 35 >billion dollars. Spome 14 billion dollars of this will be paid by >new members, 19 billion dollars by European nations and two >billion dollars by Washington. > >Martin Khor of the Penang-based Third World Network says that >at recent U.N. conferences the all-too-familiar refrain was that >Western donors are strapped for cash because of domestic budgetary >constraints. > >''They say they don't have the funds to provide new and >additional resources, but yet they have been dishing out billions >of dollars to bail out Russia and other East European nations,'' >he points out. In the second wave of expansion, NATO is to include >two other East European countries: Romania and Slovenia. > >Razali says he is disappointed that donors failed to make any >firm commitments to increase their official development assistance >(ODA) at the recently concluded Special Session on Environment and >Development which was a follow-up to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio >de Janeiro. > >''There was much ambiguity about the need to reverse the >decline of ODA'', he says adding that development assistance had >fallen from 0.33 percent of gross national product (GNP) to 0.28 >percent over the last five years. > >At the Rio conference, more than 180 world leaders reaffirmed >their commitment to meet the U.N. target of 0.7 percent of GNP as >development assistance. But only five countries - Norway, Denmark, >Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands - have met this target. > >Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of the U.N. Children's Fund >(UNICEF) says that if all countries made good on their pledge to >meet the U.N. target, a total of 95 billion dollars could be >raised annually, 15 billion dollars more than needed per year to >eradicate extreme poverty. > >Speaking on behalf of the 15-member European Union (EU), Jan >Pronk, the Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation says that >both the EU and other donors had agreed to commit to an >undertaking to reverse the decline in ODA - but only by the year >2000. > >''But the developing countries, the intended beneficiaries of >the enterprise, had not accepted the language proposed by the EU >to put the undertaking into effect,'' he notes. > >In an implicit criticism of the United States, Razali says that >even a proposal for new and alternative sources of financing for >economic development was shot down at the Special Session. > >In fact, ''a political veto'' was applied barring members from >even looking at ''innovative financing.'' > >Since last year, the United States is the only country that has >consistently opposed the imposition of any form of global taxes. >The proposed global taxes include a fee on speculative >international financial transactions, a levy on fossil fuel use >(or its resulting pollution) and a stamp tax on international >travel. > >James Tobin, winner of the 1981 Nobel Prize for Economics, >already has proposed a tax on international currency transactions. >A 0.5 percent tax on all such transactions could net a revenue of >more than 1.5 trillion dollars a year, according to Tobin. > >Under a bipartisan agreement reached in Washington last month, >the Republicans and Democrats agreed to pay 819 million dollars in >U.S. arrears to the United Nations as long as the world body met >certain conditions. One of the conditions stipulated was that the >United Nations would not seek to impose global taxes on member >states. > >Last year, the Washington-based General Accounting Office >(GAO), a Congressional watchdog body, said that washington has >encouraged U.N. delegations to discuss alternative funding sources >but has opposed any suggestion that the United Nations be granted >authority to impose taxes. > >''Because the United Nations is an organisation of sovereign >states with no independent power of its own, it has no authority >to impose taxes within the jurisdictions of its member states,'' >the GAO said. > >The study lists six options to raise revenues that have been >discussed in the U.N. system: A bond issue; an international >lottery; a U.N.-issued credit card; levies on international >transportation-related activities and financial transactions; a UN- >established international currency exchange and loans from the >World Bank. > >In a letter to GAO, the State Department said in October 1996 >that the U.S. Congress has raised concerns about the authority of >the United Nations to impose taxes on U.S. citizens. ''The United >Nations cannot impose any form of tax without the consent of the >United States,'' the letter said. > >The proposal for global taxes has also been shot down by >Senator Jesse Helms, the right-wing Republican Chairman of the >Senate Foreign Relations Committee. > >''It will be a cold day in hell before we allow the United >Nations to directly tax American citizens,'' Helms spokesman Marc >Thiessen says. ''The United Nations is not a world government. We >prefer to stick with the present system where member states make >their own contributions to the United Nations.'' (END/IPS/td/mk/97) > > >Origin: Washington/UNITED NATIONS/ > ---- > > [c] 1997, InterPress Third World News Agency (IPS) > All rights reserved > > >
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Momodou
Denmark
11497 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2021 : 17:56:48
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Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 09:25:34 -0400 (EDT) From: ASJanneh@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: IOM Beneficiary (A Janneh) Message-ID: <970715092534_204717440@emout18.mail.aol.com>
Gambia-l:
Yes, Mr. Saho is right! I was required to stay in The Gambia for a minimum period of time. But nothing will keep most of us in very unbearable conditions. It's called human nature.
Whether one is sent home cheap, is not as important as returning safely and at IOM's expense. (I took Delta, Air France & Nigeria Airways on that trip home.)
The application process took about 6 months, for the sake of those interested in exploring the program.
And finally, I don't see how IOM could prevent any one with a Green Card or employment authorization from returning to the USA. The last time I checked, that was the responsibility of the US INS.
Last Word (for me)! Salaam! Amadou Scattred Janneh
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 15:58:16 +0200 (MET DST) From: Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: IOM Beneficiary (A Janneh) Message-ID: <199707151358.PAA08080@online.no> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Abdou,
I don=B4t really know about the INS. The only time i was in the you US was last year twice to attend a Course at The Johns Hoppkins University Hospital in Baltimore. And to participate at the the XI international conference on AIDS in Vancouver that was my only relation with the US immigration.
But one thing as sure as death and that is in Europe were ID and personal number is obligatory when you are send by tha IOM to your native land you are stroken out of the population list for good. You wrote "And finally, I don't see how IOM could prevent any one with a Green Card or employment authorization from returning to the USA. The last time I checked, that was the responsibility of the US INS". It is not IOM who prevents one with working and residence permit to return. But the governments of these respective countries do after they received all formalities from the IOM that you are leaving through their close collaboration. Cause they pay for the cost. The Us immigration is very differentfrom the European like controlling for ID or residence permit
THE END
Omar S. Saho
At 09:25 15.07.97 -0400, you wrote: >Gambia-l: > >Yes, Mr. Saho is right! I was required to stay in The Gambia for a minimum >period of time. But nothing will keep most of us in very unbearable >conditions. It's called human nature.=20 > >Whether one is sent home cheap, is not as important as returning safely and >at IOM's expense. (I took Delta, Air France & Nigeria Airways on that trip >home.) > >The application process took about 6 months, for the sake of those= interested >in exploring the program. > >And finally, I don't see how IOM could prevent any one with a Green Card= or >employment authorization from returning to the USA. The last time I= checked, >that was the responsibility of the US INS. > >Last Word (for me)! >Salaam! >Amadou Scattred Janneh > >
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Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 15:42:16 +0100 (BST) From: "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: (PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <Pine.HPP.3.91.970715153644.17710B-100000@whale.students.stir.ac.uk> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Many thanks for the references. I am already familiar with some of them. By the way, I notice that Bass is 17 years behind the rest of us!
On Fri, 4 Jan 1980, BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH wrote:
> Mr.Njie! > Thanks for your response! My sources are as follows:- > 1) The Oxford Anthology of English Literature.(Vol.1) > 2) The Language Files (Ohio State University) > 3) Compton's New Century Encyclopedia > 4) Encarta 96 Encyclopedia > 5) The New Grolier Encyclopedia > 6) The Development of Islam in West Africa ( Mervyn Hesket) > 7) The Africans ( David Lamb) > 8) The Destuction Of Black Civilisation (Chancellor Williams) > 9) The African Origin Of Civilization (Prof. Chiekh Anta Diop) > 10) Precolonial Black Africa ( Prof. Chieckh Anta Diop) > 11) Language Thought and Action (S.I.Hayakawa) > > Regards Bassss!! > ---------- > From: M. Njie[SMTP:mn015@students.stir.ac.uk] > Sent: 09/NEiU CaCea/1418 05:45 a > To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List > Subject: Re:(PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA > > It would really be appreciated if at the end of every > instalment, Bass provides, if possible, a list of his sources. > Of course, there will be no need for this if he is not > consulting any. > > Regards, > Momodou > > > On Fri, 4 Jan 1980, BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH wrote: > > > > > ***THE BLACK TOWER OF BABEL*** > > > > We have already talked about how two or more languages that are genetically > > related could be separated from each other and eventually end up not being > > able to talk to each other without the help of a translator;but today we > > will go one step further by saying that sometimes these related languages > > would even have different names in different places,a fact that could make > > it even more difficult,if not impossible,for most people to recognize > > them.We can cite here French,Italian,Portuguese and Spanish as our > > example.All of these three languages come from one language,namely,Latin; > > but each one of them has its separate name and identiy coupled with the > > fact that none of them could understand each other without a > > translator.This is precisely what has happened to most of the languages on > > our continent.And we will show that to be the case in just a moment.But > > before that we want to clarify one crucial point.A language is just like a > > town or city: whatever the degree or magnitude of change that it has gone > > through may be, it will always retain some remnants of its past, and those > > bits and pieces that survive change are what the historians use to trace > > back its history and relationship with other languages.One such remnant in > > Africa's black languages is the Phonology (sound system).It has been > > observed that almost all the languages that are scattered all over our > > continent from Chad to the Cape have sounds in them which allow an (m) or > > an (n) to be directly followed by a consonant, eg : (NG,NK,ND,MP,NK ??.) so > > that you can find words in them such as > > gaMBia,ugaNDa,taNZania,ziMBabwe,buruNDi,rwaNDa etc?. The other well known > > feature of African languages is the manner in which sentences are > > constructed.In English, for instance, a normal sentence is constructed by > > first mentioning the Subject then the Verb and then the Object like in > > (John -had-his lunch) but in Mandinka, the Subject is followed not by the > > Verb but by the Object and the Verb comes at the end,so that the > > grammatical translation of this same English sentence into Mandinka would > > be something like: (John - his lunch - had).And this rule applies to most > > of Africa's black languages. > > > > Now we want to look at the Languages themselves.The Mother of most of the > > languages we speak is called: The Niger-Congo Linguistic Family.It had > > three daughters or branches, and her first daughter to be separated from > > her was MANDE some six thousand years ago, just few centuries after the > > First Great Migrations precipitated by the drying of the Sahara.The MANDE > > branch has since then assumed different names in different parts of the > > continent, but mainly in West Africa ,and they are: Mandinka, Malinka, > > Maninka, Kasonka, Bambara, Dyula, Sussou, Sonninke,Mende(Sierra Leone) and > > Kpelle (Liberia), and they have Speech Communities (people who speak them) > > in Gambia,Senegal,Mali,Liberia,Sierra Leone,Ivory Coast,Western > > Ghana,Burkina Faso,Benin and Parts of Nigeria. > > The Second daugther or branch is called MEL and it includes the following > > languages: Temne(Sierra Leone),Wollof (Senegambia),Fulla (Senegambia and > > Several West African Countries),Kru (Liberia,Ivory Coast),Gur > > (Burkina,Mali,Ivory Coast and Benin), Kwa and that has a dialect in Ivory > > Coast called Baule and a number of dialects in Ghana called > > Fante,Twi,Ashanti and Ewe.The same Kwa has another dialect in Benin called > > Fon.And further,the same Kwa has now become three separate languages in > > Nigeria,namely, Yoruba,Igbo and Efik. > > The Third and the last daughter of the Niger-Congo Linguistic Family is > > called The ADAMAWA Branch, and it includes the following languages: Zande > > (Northern Zaire,parts of sudan and central Africa); Sango (Zaire,Central > > Africa and Chad); Bantu which in turn is the Mother of most of the > > Languages in the Southern African Region and they are: Kikongo and Lingala > > (Zaire, both of them do understand each other); Isizulu and Isixhosa (South > > Africa, Mutually intelligible); Sesotho, Sepedi and Setswana > > (Lesotho,Botswana and S.Africa); Chishona (Zimbabwe); Chibemba (Zambia and > > Zaire); Chinyanja (Malawi); ****swa (Mozambique); KinyaRwanda and Kirundi > > (Burundi and Rwandi, mutually intelligible); Luganda (Uganda); Gikikuyu > > (Kenya); Kiswahili (Kenya,Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire). > > > > So,we will conclude this installment by saying that the frightening number > > of 1800 languges of black Africa could be condensed into twenty or so > > languages we have just cited, which is not very much more than the total > > number of European languages at present. Such a condensation is possible > > because millions and millions of black Africans speak two or more > > languages, esp. in the Continents major urban centres.The East African > > Region is a case in point. Between35 to 40 million people of this Region > > use Swahili as their LINGUA FRANCA (the Language used to talk to people of > > other Language groups) and in the West African Region, a slightly less than > > that number of people use Hausa to talk to each other. As for the Southern > > African Region, we have seen that in South Africa, Most people speak either > > Xhosa or Zulu both of which are mutually intelligible; and almost exactly > > the same thing applies to the two main Languages of the two Congos,namely, > > Kikongo and Lingala.So, in retrospect, we can say that even though Mother > > Africa's capacity to communicate with herself is far from ideal, it is > > nonetheless a gross distortion to label it as "Linguistically confused", > > but what else could we expect from those who shamelessly earn their living > > by savaging our continent and her children?! In our NEXT INSTALLMENT, we > > will explore the Ethnic and Language situation in , where else, "For the > > Gambia , Our homeland" And until then ???.. > > Regards Basss!! > > > > > > > > >
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Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 15:59:37 +0100 (BST) From: "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: Fwd: UNITED NATIONS: Donors Crying 'Wolf'? Message-ID: <Pine.HPP.3.91.970715154948.17710C-100000@whale.students.stir.ac.uk> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Abdou is absolutely right. Let us all pray for the day when we will speak with ONE voice. No amount of sanctions by the 'International Community' (What does this mean? Are we not all part of the international community?) will make any difference. In fact, it will signal the death of capitalism as we know it.
Regards, Momodou
On Tue, 15 Jul 1997, Abdou Gibba wrote:
> Is this not the "International Community" we are all pre-occupied of impressing? > The lesson is, the cold-war is over and so is the interest to win allies in > the "Developing World" over too. One very good thing that should come out of > this, is the awareness of intended beneficiary nations that there is limited > aid so therefore they should make ends meet by themselves. And, this is only > possible by putting the interest of individual nations and regions > respectfully first (as ODA contributors are doing) without fear for > sanctions or any other form of intimidation. Besides, what sanction or an > attempt to intimidate, say, the whole of Africa make any significance. The > name of the game is SELF-INTEREST. The question should be "KANN LA HAJ PUPP > GANAW NEGII YAYAM"????? > > The first and most crucial step is to get started. We are aware of what's > going on but still couldn't dare take the first necessary step. > > I HOPE OUR GENERATION WILL MAKE A VERY BIG DIFFERENCE. > > Regards, > Abdou Oujimai > > > >Title: UNITED NATIONS: Donors Crying 'Wolf'? > > > >By Thalif Deen > > > >UNITED NATIONS, Jul 9 (IPS) - The argument by Western donors that > >they must slash development aid budgets because their own > >treasuries are running dry doesn't impresss U.N.General Assembly > >President Razali Ismail of Malaysia. > > > >He points out that while Western nations cry poverty at > >international conferences, they are collectively planning to spend > >more than 30 billion dollars to expand the North Atlantic Treaty > >Organisation (NATO). > > > >''What do our discussions (on economic development) really > >mean... in the context of a decision to expand NATO?,'' he asks. > > > >The 30 billion dollars in proposed spending on a single > >military organisation contrasts with the declining 50 billion > >dollars in official development assistance (ODA) doled out > >annually to the world's 132 developing nations. > > > >The U.S. Department of Defence says the expansion of the 16- > >member North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - to include > >Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic - will cost about 35 > >billion dollars. Spome 14 billion dollars of this will be paid by > >new members, 19 billion dollars by European nations and two > >billion dollars by Washington. > > > >Martin Khor of the Penang-based Third World Network says that > >at recent U.N. conferences the all-too-familiar refrain was that > >Western donors are strapped for cash because of domestic budgetary > >constraints. > > > >''They say they don't have the funds to provide new and > >additional resources, but yet they have been dishing out billions > >of dollars to bail out Russia and other East European nations,'' > >he points out. In the second wave of expansion, NATO is to include > >two other East European countries: Romania and Slovenia. > > > >Razali says he is disappointed that donors failed to make any > >firm commitments to increase their official development assistance > >(ODA) at the recently concluded Special Session on Environment and > >Development which was a follow-up to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio > >de Janeiro. > > > >''There was much ambiguity about the need to reverse the > >decline of ODA'', he says adding that development assistance had > >fallen from 0.33 percent of gross national product (GNP) to 0.28 > >percent over the last five years. > > > >At the Rio conference, more than 180 world leaders reaffirmed > >their commitment to meet the U.N. target of 0.7 percent of GNP as > >development assistance. But only five countries - Norway, Denmark, > >Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands - have met this target. > > > >Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of the U.N. Children's Fund > >(UNICEF) says that if all countries made good on their pledge to > >meet the U.N. target, a total of 95 billion dollars could be > >raised annually, 15 billion dollars more than needed per year to > >eradicate extreme poverty. > > > >Speaking on behalf of the 15-member European Union (EU), Jan > >Pronk, the Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation says that > >both the EU and other donors had agreed to commit to an > >undertaking to reverse the decline in ODA - but only by the year > >2000. > > > >''But the developing countries, the intended beneficiaries of > >the enterprise, had not accepted the language proposed by the EU > >to put the undertaking into effect,'' he notes. > > > >In an implicit criticism of the United States, Razali says that > >even a proposal for new and alternative sources of financing for > >economic development was shot down at the Special Session. > > > >In fact, ''a political veto'' was applied barring members from > >even looking at ''innovative financing.'' > > > >Since last year, the United States is the only country that has > >consistently opposed the imposition of any form of global taxes. > >The proposed global taxes include a fee on speculative > >international financial transactions, a levy on fossil fuel use > >(or its resulting pollution) and a stamp tax on international > >travel. > > > >James Tobin, winner of the 1981 Nobel Prize for Economics, > >already has proposed a tax on international currency transactions. > >A 0.5 percent tax on all such transactions could net a revenue of > >more than 1.5 trillion dollars a year, according to Tobin. > > > >Under a bipartisan agreement reached in Washington last month, > >the Republicans and Democrats agreed to pay 819 million dollars in > >U.S. arrears to the United Nations as long as the world body met > >certain conditions. One of the conditions stipulated was that the > >United Nations would not seek to impose global taxes on member > >states. > > > >Last year, the Washington-based General Accounting Office > >(GAO), a Congressional watchdog body, said that washington has > >encouraged U.N. delegations to discuss alternative funding sources > >but has opposed any suggestion that the United Nations be granted > >authority to impose taxes. > > > >''Because the United Nations is an organisation of sovereign > >states with no independent power of its own, it has no authority > >to impose taxes within the jurisdictions of its member states,'' > >the GAO said. > > > >The study lists six options to raise revenues that have been > >discussed in the U.N. system: A bond issue; an international > >lottery; a U.N.-issued credit card; levies on international > >transportation-related activities and financial transactions; a UN- > >established international currency exchange and loans from the > >World Bank. > > > >In a letter to GAO, the State Department said in October 1996 > >that the U.S. Congress has raised concerns about the authority of > >the United Nations to impose taxes on U.S. citizens. ''The United > >Nations cannot impose any form of tax without the consent of the > >United States,'' the letter said. > > > >The proposal for global taxes has also been shot down by > >Senator Jesse Helms, the right-wing Republican Chairman of the > >Senate Foreign Relations Committee. > > > >''It will be a cold day in hell before we allow the United > >Nations to directly tax American citizens,'' Helms spokesman Marc > >Thiessen says. ''The United Nations is not a world government. We > >prefer to stick with the present system where member states make > >their own contributions to the United Nations.'' (END/IPS/td/mk/97) > > > > > >Origin: Washington/UNITED NATIONS/ > > ---- > > > > [c] 1997, InterPress Third World News Agency (IPS) > > All rights reserved > > > > > > > >
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Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 17:10:14 +0200 From: momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: RE: (PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <19970715161258.AAA29708@LOCALNAME>
Mr. Njie, Can you please enlighten us on what you mean by "Bass being 17 years behind the rest of us"?
Best regards!
Momodou Camara
On 15 Jul 97 at 15:42, M. Njie wrote:
> Many thanks for the references. I am already familiar > with > some of them. By the way, I notice that Bass is 17 years > behind the rest of us! > > On Fri, 4 Jan 1980, BASSIROU > DODOU DRAMMEH wrote: > > > Mr.Njie! > > Thanks for your response! My sources are as follows:- > > 1) The Oxford Anthology of English Literature.(Vol.1) > > 2) The Language Files (Ohio State University) > > 3) Compton's New Century Encyclopedia > > 4) Encarta 96 Encyclopedia > > 5) The New Grolier Encyclopedia > > 6) The Development of Islam in West Africa ( Mervyn Hesket) > > 7) The Africans ( David Lamb) > > 8) The Destuction Of Black Civilisation (Chancellor Williams) > > 9) The African Origin Of Civilization (Prof. Chiekh Anta Diop) > > 10) Precolonial Black Africa ( Prof. Chieckh Anta Diop) > > 11) Language Thought and Action (S.I.Hayakawa) > > > > Regards Bassss!! > > ---------- > > From: M. Njie[SMTP:mn015@students.stir.ac.uk] > > Sent: 09/NEiU CaCea/1418 05:45 a > > To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List > > Subject: Re:(PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA > > > > It would really be appreciated if at the end of every > > instalment, Bass provides, if possible, a list of his sources. > > Of course, there will be no need for this if he is not > > consulting any. > > > > Regards, > > Momodou > > > > > > On Fri, 4 Jan 1980, BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH wrote: > > > > > > > > ***THE BLACK TOWER OF BABEL*** > > > > > > We have already talked about how two or more languages that are genetically > > > related could be separated from each other and eventually end up not being > > > able to talk to each other without the help of a translator;but today we > > > will go one step further by saying that sometimes these related languages > > > would even have different names in different places,a fact that could make > > > it even more difficult,if not impossible,for most people to recognize > > > them.We can cite here French,Italian,Portuguese and Spanish as our > > > example.All of these three languages come from one language,namely,Latin; > > > but each one of them has its separate name and identiy coupled with the > > > fact that none of them could understand each other without a > > > translator.This is precisely what has happened to most of the languages on > > > our continent.And we will show that to be the case in just a moment.But > > > before that we want to clarify one crucial point.A language is just like a > > > town or city: whatever the degree or magnitude of change that it has gone > > > through may be, it will always retain some remnants of its past, and those > > > bits and pieces that survive change are what the historians use to trace > > > back its history and relationship with other languages.One such remnant in > > > Africa's black languages is the Phonology (sound system).It has been > > > observed that almost all the languages that are scattered all over our > > > continent from Chad to the Cape have sounds in them which allow an (m) or > > > an (n) to be directly followed by a consonant, eg : (NG,NK,ND,MP,NK ??.) so > > > that you can find words in them such as > > > gaMBia,ugaNDa,taNZania,ziMBabwe,buruNDi,rwaNDa etc?. The other well known > > > feature of African languages is the manner in which sentences are > > > constructed.In English, for instance, a normal sentence is constructed by > > > first mentioning the Subject then the Verb and then the Object like in > > > (John -had-his lunch) but in Mandinka, the Subject is followed not by the > > > Verb but by the Object and the Verb comes at the end,so that the > > > grammatical translation of this same English sentence into Mandinka would > > > be something like: (John - his lunch - had).And this rule applies to most > > > of Africa's black languages. > > > > > > Now we want to look at the Languages themselves.The Mother of most of the > > > languages we speak is called: The Niger-Congo Linguistic Family.It had > > > three daughters or branches, and her first daughter to be separated from > > > her was MANDE some six thousand years ago, just few centuries after the > > > First Great Migrations precipitated by the drying of the Sahara.The MANDE > > > branch has since then assumed different names in different parts of the > > > continent, but mainly in West Africa ,and they are: Mandinka, Malinka, > > > Maninka, Kasonka, Bambara, Dyula, Sussou, Sonninke,Mende(Sierra Leone) and > > > Kpelle (Liberia), and they have Speech Communities (people who speak them) > > > in Gambia,Senegal,Mali,Liberia,Sierra Leone,Ivory Coast,Western > > > Ghana,Burkina Faso,Benin and Parts of Nigeria. > > > The Second daugther or branch is called MEL and it includes the following > > > languages: Temne(Sierra Leone),Wollof (Senegambia),Fulla (Senegambia and > > > Several West African Countries),Kru (Liberia,Ivory Coast),Gur > > > (Burkina,Mali,Ivory Coast and Benin), Kwa and that has a dialect in Ivory > > > Coast called Baule and a number of dialects in Ghana called > > > Fante,Twi,Ashanti and Ewe.The same Kwa has another dialect in Benin called > > > Fon.And further,the same Kwa has now become three separate languages in > > > Nigeria,namely, Yoruba,Igbo and Efik. > > > The Third and the last daughter of the Niger-Congo Linguistic Family is > > > called The ADAMAWA Branch, and it includes the following languages: Zande > > > (Northern Zaire,parts of sudan and central Africa); Sango (Zaire,Central > > > Africa and Chad); Bantu which in turn is the Mother of most of the > > > Languages in the Southern African Region and they are: Kikongo and Lingala > > > (Zaire, both of them do understand each other); Isizulu and Isixhosa (South > > > Africa, Mutually intelligible); Sesotho, Sepedi and Setswana > > > (Lesotho,Botswana and S.Africa); Chishona (Zimbabwe); Chibemba (Zambia and > > > Zaire); Chinyanja (Malawi); ****swa (Mozambique); KinyaRwanda and Kirundi > > > (Burundi and Rwandi, mutually intelligible); Luganda (Uganda); Gikikuyu > > > (Kenya); Kiswahili (Kenya,Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire). > > > > > > So,we will conclude this installment by saying that the frightening number > > > of 1800 languges of black Africa could be condensed into twenty or so > > > languages we have just cited, which is not very much more than the total > > > number of European languages at present. Such a condensation is possible > > > because millions and millions of black Africans speak two or more > > > languages, esp. in the Continents major urban centres.The East African > > > Region is a case in point. Between35 to 40 million people of this Region > > > use Swahili as their LINGUA FRANCA (the Language used to talk to people of > > > other Language groups) and in the West African Region, a slightly less than > > > that number of people use Hausa to talk to each other. As for the Southern > > > African Region, we have seen that in South Africa, Most people speak either > > > Xhosa or Zulu both of which are mutually intelligible; and almost exactly > > > the same thing applies to the two main Languages of the two Congos,namely, > > > Kikongo and Lingala.So, in retrospect, we can say that even though Mother > > > Africa's capacity to communicate with herself is far from ideal, it is > > > nonetheless a gross distortion to label it as "Linguistically confused", > > > but what else could we expect from those who shamelessly earn their living > > > by savaging our continent and her children?! In our NEXT INSTALLMENT, we > > > will explore the Ethnic and Language situation in , where else, "For the > > > Gambia , Our homeland" And until then ???.. > > > Regards Basss!! > > > > > > > > > > >
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Date: 15 Jul 1997 15:49:11 GMT From: momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Fwd: LIBERIA-HUMAN RIGHTS: Women and Chi Message-ID: <1364852702.219815984@inform-bbs.dk>
Copyright 1997 InterPress Service, all rights reserved. Worldwide distribution via the APC networks.
*** 11-Jul-97 ***
Title: LIBERIA-HUMAN RIGHTS: Women and Children First, Lawyers Say
By Attes Johnson
MONROVIA, Jul 11 (IPS) -- Liberian women, encouraged by their recent victory of having a juvenile court established in the country, are now working on other areas of legislation to guarantee the human rights of women and children.
The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) are pushing for new legislation to protect the rights of widows, and for the harmonisation of civil and customary law in the country, so that all women can enjoy the same rights within marriage.
The dual system now leads to a situation where cases involving women in civil or ''modern'' marriages are heard in the High Court and those in traditional marriages are brought before the lower courts, where decisions have tended to marginalise the rights of women.
Despite the fact that early Christian missionaries condemned the traditional forms of African marriages, many Liberians still cling to traditional beliefs towards marriage which allow a man to marry more than one wife, said Joseph S. Johnson of the Humanities Department at the University of Liberia.
It is believed, Johnson added, that traditional forms of marriage are based on a culture which discourages prostitution, since every woman has a husband.
But AFELL argues that in the event of death, when a man's relatives swoop on the wife or wives and take all the property, widows are left destitute, highlighting the inherent discrimination against women imbedded within the traditional system.
Liberian women and children, the main victims of the civil conflict which began in December 1989, have been ignored by the transitional governments and the international community, said Elizabeth Boryenneh, AFELL's President.
The organisation's most recent victory in its push for women and children's rights has been the creation of a juvenile court. AFELL has been pushing for the court since it was formed three years ago.
''The plight of children has been our concern and the opening of a juvenile court is a major victory for not only AFELL, but for Liberian women and their children, and those unborn,'' said Boryenneh.
According to Boryenneh, AFELL has been assisted in its efforts to work with women and children by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), but it is approaching other organisations to help it achieve its goal of empowering women and children to participate in the development of Liberia.
A law for a juvenile court to be set up has been on the statute books since 1972. The transitional government of Ruth Sando Perry finally set up the court last month and appointed a woman lawyer, Malia Doe, as its first judge.
Perry said recently that the government had not adequately addressed the plight of the youth due to the lack of ''financial resources and expertise'' and ''there are no social service agencies, trained social workers for counselling and rehabilitation centres''.
The Liberian Head of State noted that ''women have been at the forefront in seeking needed resources from the United Nations and its related agencies, such as UNICEF, to assist us(government) to help our young people''.
Now that the court is working, AFELL will campaign for separate detention centres for juveniles to keep them from being put into the same cells with adults, Boryenneh said.
She also warned parents that they too should safeguard and not abuse the rights of their own children. ''Now that the court is constituted, parents and guardians should be mindful of their children's needs for protection while in their care,'' she said.
''AFELL will not hesitate to file petitions to the court against parents who act contrary... Children need care and protection,'' Boryenneh added. (end/ips/aj/pm97)
Origin: Harare/LIBERIA-HUMAN RIGHTS/ ----
[c] 1997, InterPress Third World News Agency (IPS) All rights reserved
May not be reproduced, reprinted or posted to any system or service outside of the APC networks, without specific permission from IPS. This limitation includes distribution via Usenet News, bulletin board systems, mailing lists, print media and broadcast. For information about cross- posting, send a message to <online@ips.org>. For information about print or broadcast reproduction plrg> Date: 14 Jul 1997 15:37:57 -0800 (PST) X-Gateway: notes@gn.apc.org Lines: 107
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Date: 15 Jul 1997 15:50:15 GMT From: momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Fwd: DEVELOPMENT: German NGOs Plead For Effectiveness As Funds Decline Message-ID: <624033758.219816272@inform-bbs.dk>
Copyright 1997 InterPress Service, all rights reserved. Worldwide distribution via the APC networks.
*** 11-Jul-97 ***
Title: DEVELOPMENT: German NGOs Plead For Effectiveness As Funds Decline
By Ramesh Jaura
BONN, Jul 11 (IPS) - Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) here welcome the expected reduction in Germany's defence expenditure next year, but regret that there will also be a cut in the funds for official development assistance (ODA).
According to the 1998 budget draft approved by the council of ministers Friday, Germany will spend some 46,000 million marks (some 27,000 million dollars) instead of 52,000 million marks (30,000 million dollars) this year on defence.
However, the amount set out for the budget of the German ministry of economic cooperation and development (BMZ) will be 2.1 percent lower than the present year's 7,803 million marks (4,590 million dollars).
''This reduction is lower than feared,'' said Peter Molt, chairman of the Association of German development NGOs (VENRO) comprising 73 member organisations in Germany. ''But there is no reason to give an 'all clear' sign.''
In fact, Germany - Europe's economic powerhouse - will be spending a meagre 0.27 percent of its Gross National Product (GNP) on its ODA next year.
''This means moving farther away from the United Nations target of 0.7 percent of GNP,'' added Molt. The target was established by the U.N. in 1970 as an appropriate level for ODA. It was confirmed by the industrial nations at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in June 1992.
The NGOs represented in the VENRO presently see no way out of the financial difficulties the government in Bonn is faced with -- no less because some 80,000 million dollars need to be transferred to former eastern Germany every year.
However their representatives said at a 'meet the press' Friday that available funds should be utilised more effectively. ''We cannot be contributing some 35 percent of the aid budget for multilateral agencies, thus exceeding the ceiling of 30 percent im posed by the parliament,'' argued Hartmut Bauer, vice chairman of the VENRO.
This did not however imply that the NGOs were opposed to multilateral institutions. ''It is just that increased funding for multilateral aid should not be at the expense of bilateral aid,'' explained Bauer.
Molt, who has served with several U.N. organisations in the past, said there was a need to review whether Germany should be supporting every U.N. organisation. ''We might be using our limited funds more effectively if we concentrated ourselves on a few U ..N. organisations,'' he added.
Instead of contributing to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Bonn could, for instance, increase its funding for the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) which was doing ''very valuable work'', said Molt.
Bauer, who heads the Protestant Church's aid agency EZE in Bonn, added that it might be worth asking whether military expenditure on projects such as the controversial Eurofighter aircraft, really was the best way to meet security objectives.
Development assistance, deployed as a strategic preventive measure, might in the long run prove to be a more suitable means to help bring about security.
Bauer argued that the 1,000 million dollars the German government planned to spend on the development of the multi-national Eurofighter aircraft could perhaps be spent on global human security initiatives.
One reason to invest in the plane was to ensure several thousand jobs in Germany, said Eckard Deutscher, managing director of the Bonn-Cologne chapter of the Society for International Development (SID). But if those funds were channeled to developmental tasks, it would still help secure workplaces in the medium industrial sector, added Deutscher.
Bauer regretted the fact that despite the end of the Cold War, waiting for the 'peace dividend' had been like 'waiting for Godot' (waiting in vain). In fact, the funds saved on military expenditure should have gone in to replenish ODA.
Back in 1990, half-a-year after the Berlin Wall dividing the two Germanys fell, Bonn's ODA amounted to 0.42 percent. Since then, it has been constantly on the decline: 0.40 percent in 1991, 0.38 percent a year later, 0.36 percent in 1993, 0.33 percent th e following year, 0.32 percent in 1995, 0.30 percent in 1996 and an estimated 0.28 percent this year.
In fact, according to the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), only four of the 21 member nations have through the years consistently met the 0.7 percent target: Norway, Denmark, Swed en and the Netherlands. However, caught in their own financial crunch, their aid level has also been declining.
VENRO chairman Molt said Germany could indeed learn from the Scandinavian countries and give priority to self-help oriented projects aimed at combating poverty and promoting the civil society sector in the countries of the South.
Also the low-interest loans paid back by the developing countries to Germany, could be pooled in a 'social fund' which could support projects to alleviate poverty. (END/IPS/RAJ/RJ/97)
Origin: Amsterdam/DEVELOPMENT/ ----
[c] 1997, InterPress Third World News Agency (IPS) All rights reserved
May not be reproduced, reprinted or posted to any system or service outside of the APC networks, without specific permission from IPS. This limitation includes distribution via Usenet News, bulletin board systems, mailing lists, print media and broadcast. For information about cross- posting, send a message to <online@ips.org>. For information about print or broadcast reproduction psage-ID: <APC&1'0'54908a66'a42@igc.apc.org> Date: 14 Jul 1997 15:41:02 -0800 (PST) X-Gateway: notes@gn.apc.org Lines: 142
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Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 19:04:16 +0200 (MET DST) From: Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no> To: <Gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: AGREE TO DISAGREE Message-ID: <199707151704.TAA10408@online.no> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I am very curious to know why always debates are been cut. I have numerous examples were there is a the tendency when some of writing lets stop the subject. We are grown up and can agree to disagree in a very diplomatic and respectful manner towards one another. And save ourselves for sacarcism of replying to a topic.
There was time when DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THE QURAN and FEMALE CIRCUCISION dominated the debates on the net without any form for lets stop it. Is it because the majority who says lets end the subject has som inputs.
I can recall from my initial stage of joining the "Bantatba" where i addressed the topic of HEALTH and EDUCATION in the Gambia. I received a very cold shoulder in response and accepting the issue as discussing subject. Only four replied and the others were very scarstic.There never came life in discussing the subject of health and education in the Gambia. The excuses were we know nothing about it. Until after a period when one Musa Sowe wrote PROPOSAL FOOD FOR THOUGHT then everybodt start knowing something on the subject.
Health ws never been mentioned again but EDucation was which is indeed very good and promising.HEalth was raised just sometime ago when everybody was curios about the statistics of the NIGHTMARE HIV/AIDS in the Gambia. I was in the Gambia the whole month of April when meningitis was killing people like flies in the Wuli districts. The MP for one the two Wuli constituencies Mr Seedia Jatta was appealing both nationally and internationally for the urgency of assistance.
There are many infetious diseases like TUBERCLOSIS, HIV/AIDS, MALARIA, HEPATITIS B and so on. T o give some few eaxample inrelation to Children with cerecbral malaria. Among children cerebral malaria has a mortality of 10-20 % despite treatment with parenteral quinine, a situation that may worsen with the spread of quinine resistance. Gambian children suffer repeated infections with malaria, which manifest as paroxysms of fever. A small propotion of infections progress to cerebral malaria or severe anaemia both potentially and fatal. Statistics from the RVH (Royal Victoria Hospital)indicate that they account for one third of chilhood deaths in the Gambia. The long term aim is defining public health strategies to prevent their occurence possiblity by means of vaccine.
Also among children RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is found both in rural and perirural areas. RSV may cause persistent wheezing for several years after the acute infection.
Concerning Hepatitis B over 90 % of the population is infected with hepatitis B virus by the age of 15 years. Between 15 to 20 % of adults are chronic carriers of the Hepatitis B Virus, a condition which is the main risk factor for the later development of hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic liver diseases eventually liver damage and other inconvinient complications. This disease is responsible for ann estimated 10 - 15 % of all adult deaths in the country.
If such preventable or curable diseases was cuasing a death toll in the West like as ir it in the Gambia there would have been a cry for foul both from the public and politicians. I believe to agree and disagree but debates should not be put to an end by some who are not interested in the topic or cannot contribute.
There something call social responsibility and moral.
NO MALICE OR HARD FEELINGS
With kind regards
Omar S. Saho
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 03:04:13 JST +900 From: binta@iuj.ac.jp To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: (PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <199707151756.CAA12989@mlsv.iuj.ac.jp> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Gambia-l,
It is hard for people like me to see Bass' contribution on the above subject as something other than a VERY, VERY MEANINGFUL one. Personally, I am so ensconced in my economics, accounting and finance that my knowledge about language and tribe in Africa, not to mention about other parts of the world, is rudimentary and almost borders on ignorance. I have come to learn not to trust even the most scientific findings as 'Gospel truth', but Bass deserves commendation for his research and for letting me know what many would consider 'basic' knowledge. Every theory, law, or scientific finding is always said to be a 'contingent truth' awaiting falsification. And unless those of us who seem to be at variance with Mr. Drammeh tell us their version, I am afraid 'morons' like me will hold unto what little he has offered. To you Basssss, I say 'keep up the good work down there'!
Lamin.
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 03:30:56 JST +900 From: binta@iuj.ac.jp To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: AGREE TO DISAGREE Message-ID: <199707151822.DAA13131@mlsv.iuj.ac.jp> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Mr. Saho,
I share your concerns, but it seems necessary to reiterate a point some of us raised before. Health issues are of grave concern to me because as the saying goes, 'a healthy mind lives in a healthy body'. Therefore, one can even safely say that health comes before education, wealth etc. The point though is that unlike issues of education which are familiar to many of us, health issues are mostly couched is so esoteric a language that many a people feel stupid for not understanding your profession's jargon.
Taking the discussion further, please enlighten us the causes and consequences of Hepatitis B. How is it different from Hepatitis A, and why is all the talk about the former? I guess my questions already reveal my ignorance about such fundamental health issues. If Hepatitis is genetically inherited, is it preventable? I am terrified that nearly 90% of Gambians live with this virus by age 15. But don't you think the government (now or before) must have done/do a better job at informing the populace about this disease. I bet we have a long way to go. Does anyone on this List know how much research our Health ministry undertakes? If it does, are there any siginificant successes? Or do we rely on MRC and the West on research and research funds? Answers/suggestions are welcome.
lamin.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 12:12:37 -0700 (PDT) From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Gambia jail guards smuggled cannabis to inmates (fwd) Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.96.970715121200.12228A-100000@saul2.u.washington.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
FYI - Tony
---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 8:21:34 PDT From: Reuters <C-reuters@clari.net> Newsgroups: clari.world.africa.western, clari.news.alcohol+drugs Subject: Gambia jail guards smuggled cannabis to inmates
BANJUL, July 14 (Reuter) - The West African state of Gambia sacked 19 prison guards and retired their boss on Monday after finding them guilty of smuggling cannabis to the inmates, government sources said. The warders worked at Mile Two Jail outside the capital Banjul.
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Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 21:26:06 +2000 From: mmjeng@image.dk To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Fwd: Denmark Calls For An Academy Of Education And Democracy Message-ID: <199707151927.VAA27377@mail.image.dk> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: Quoted-printable
Denmark Calls For An Academy Of Education And Democracy
July 15, 1997
Felix Njoku, PANA Correspondent
HAMBURG, Germany (PANA) - Denmark Tuesday called for the establishment of an International Academy of Education and Democracy.
The Danish minister of education, Ole Vig Jensen, said his government is prepared to establish such an academy in cooperation with Unesco member countries. The Danish government is ready to support the initiative with resources and know-how, he told delegates at the ongoing fifth international conference on adult education in Hamburg, Germany.
The main purpose of the academy would be to bring people together from all over the world to learn how education can contribute to the development of democracy.
A well functioning education system makes democracy strong. The maintenance of a healthy democracy is dependent on a well-educated population, Vig Jensen said.
People can be given freedom, but freedom without access to learning opportunities gives no meaning. The most important task today is to make the education systems work for world-wide democracy, he added. He said developing countries should be offered help in forging democracy through education.
There is no reason why these countries should travel the long and winding roads towards democracy as we did. We can and should offer them a short cut to democracy and education is an example of such a shortcut, Vig Jensen said.
In a related development, Britain has called on the conference to support the idea of setting up an international week of adult learning ..
The U.K. wants to help to build on Unesco's initiatives and maximize Unesco effectiveness and impact, Britain's education minister, Kim Howells, told the conference.
The new Labour government announced July 1 it is rejoining the UN agency after a 12-year absence, over allegations of mismanagement and wastage of public funds.
Howells said the week of adult learning should include interantional literacy day, which is already being observed world-wide, to promote adult learning irrespective of age and cultural background.
The challenge faced by member-states of Unesco, as we enter the new millennium, is to promote learning, to create accessible learning opportunities and to help reduce the barriers to learning, so that every citizen has a stake in his or her own future and in the future of their own community, he said.
Copyright =A9 1997 Panafrican News Agency. All Rights Reserved.
Greetings Matarr M. Jeng.
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Date: Fri, 4 Jan 1980 00:45:49 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'GAMBIA-L@U.WASHINGTON.EDU'" <GAMBIA-L@U.WASHINGTON.EDU> Subject: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <01A8EA01.CE4344A0@diae.qatar.net.qa>
**** Language And Ethnicity In Gambia***
Gambia, like all other African countries, is still a highly tribalized state.Of course,there is nothing wrong with having people in any given country belonging to various language groups,because almost every country on this planet has that; but there is something seriously wrong with states that in this day and age would sometimes have to compete with the TRIBE for the loyality of the individuals that belong to it.That competition would normally stem from the fact that the National Identity has not matured to the point that there is a uniformity of objectives between those of the state and the various Ethnic groups, and in such states whenever a conflict of interest surfaces between the state and the Tribe, most people instinctively give their support to their respective groups.
One can argue that because Gambia has so far not degenerated into the kind of fratricidal orgy that we have witnessed elsewhere on the Continent that maybe its National Identity has solidified enough to the point that it cannot disintegrate under the pressure of conflicting ethnic interests.But the chilling lessons of Somalia would render such notions naive at best, and, at worst, dangerously complacent.Because Somalia, as opposed to the Gambia, had already been a detribalized state by the time it colapsed into statelessness and was, moereover, the model of an ethnically homogenious country, esp. for the so-called Africa Experts.Another argument against such complacence is that since we have started to govern ourselves in the early sixties,the country has never been tested sufficiently enough internally for us to know how solid the so-called Gambian National Identity is.But the fact the that many of her sisters have failed such tests in the recent past should be a reminder that it is not impossible that she also would fail if similar circumstances arise.For that reason and much more,it is incumbent upon all of us, Gambians and friends of the Gambia alike, to studiously and rationally debate this issue so as to be able to come up with creative strategies that would help not only to accelerate the detribalization process but also to clearly define what Gambian National Identity is and how its various components could be translated into the Curriculum so that it could be an integral part of the socialisation process of the young and coming generations.
Yes,it may be true that Gambia has never had any ethnic conflicts in the strict sense of the word, but each and everyone of us has heard or witnessed instances whereby some disturbing ethnic noises were made that, had it not been for the good sense of some ,could have easily degenerated into the kinds of unspeakable acts that we have seen in Somalia, Liberia, Sierra Leone etc.
The process of Detribalization naturally takes place in the major urban centers and in many of the schools that are located in non-tribal territories ,but such processes,as in the Gambia,( with the exception of course of marriage across ethnic groups) are neither watertight nor irreversible.Not only that,it is also a tortuously slow process when left to take place naturally on its own without the intervention of the state.Detribalization, by the way, is any experience that helps the individual in a TRIbalized society to UNLEARN the instinctive response peculiar to his/her group that she internalised during her formative years. Such a process when most successful enables the individual to have the capacity to evaluate societal issues solely on the basis of their merits without that being influenced in anyway by the parochial concerns of the ethnic group that she comes from.Such a person has become culturally broad minded and sophisticated enough to realize that many of the assumptions relating to the inherent goodness of her ethnic group at the expense of all the other groupings are nothing but unfounded myths.This person knows that each ethnic grouping in the Gambia has at least one quality that must be a component of the Gambian national Identity or else such an Identity would be seriously impaired. That person must know that the AKUS are,for instance, the single ethnic group in the Gambia that is almost totally literate and that they have very polished and civilised manners towards themselves and towrds others.Those are qualities that all of us should kill to get. That person must know also that the JOLAS have a devastating capacity for decipline and hardwork and are not like many of us who enjoy long hours of idling under the shade of a tree. Such a quality is something all of us must kill to add to ours.That person must know that the Serrers are the jealous custodians and guardians of our African culture and heritage in its pristine state after many of us have diluted ours with the foreign ones almost beyond recognition. That also should be a quality most of us should kill to have. That person must know that the Wollofs are profoundly secular,broadminded and liberal people their Islamic religion notwithstanding. That also is a quality worth cutting our arms and legs just to get. That person must know also that the Fullas commercial intelligence is a quality that a future prosperous Gambia cannot do without. That person must know further that the royalty and fearlessness of the mandinkas with their instinctive refusal to be coerced is a quality that all of us must have if our democratic experiment is to succeed. And finally, that person must know that the incredible capacity of the Sarrahullehs to endure and deny the self during wealth creation would be an indispensible ingredient in any future Gambian National Identity. So,we will now conclude by saying that for the Gambia to be able to be a coherent and harmonious state with a set of state with unified national objectives,it must first of all have to work on a National Identy that incoporates all the good qualities of the various ethnic groupings and must figure out the pedagogical means to inculcate those values into the young.It must also work on increasing the number of roads and transportations between the various ethnic territories that normally don't interact that much and must encourage and even help inter-ethnic marriages.The leadership must have the foresight and vision to embody the hopes,dreams and fears of the vast majority of the people in the geographical entity called Gambia.And when that happens all of us could sing with the Gambia Police and say: "That all may live in unity,Freedom and peace each day.Let justice guide our actions,Twords the common good,and join our diverse peoples,to prove man's brotherhood.We pledge our firm allegiance,our promise we renew. Keep us great God of Nations,To the Gambia ever TRUE."
REGARDS Basss
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Date: Tue, 15 Jul 97 17:38:29 EDT From: "Numukunda Darboe(Mba)" <ndarboe@sunset.backbone.olemiss.edu> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: AGREE TO DISAGREE Message-ID: <ndarboe.1219390349A@sunset.backbone.olemiss.edu>
Mr. Saho,
You have raised a very important subject that should concern every Gambian or for that matter the whole sub-Saharan region. The statistics you have provided are very saddening, but I don't think people not responding to your message means that we are not interested in health problems in the Gambia. Female Circumcision is a health issue, and it has been discussed very extensively. Some would even consider the highly discussed domestic violence both a social and health issue.
Maybe the contents of your message did not attract much debate. If I could remember, all you did was provide us some information. I believe, if your message was framed in such a way that it called for further debate, you would be surprised the feedback you would have gotten. You might have misconstrued what others meant by the list moving on and stopping the personal attacks. Those messages were for the ones who were bashing our "one way Tombong." I don't think anyone said the IOM topic should not be discussed.
Please Mr. Saho feel free to initiate any essential discussion on the Gambian health issues.
Numukunda
> >There was time when DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THE QURAN and FEMALE CIRCUCISION >dominated the debates on the net without any form for lets stop it. Is it >because the majority who says lets end the subject has som inputs. > >I can recall from my initial stage of joining the "Bantatba" where i >addressed the topic of HEALTH and EDUCATION in the Gambia. I received a very >cold shoulder in response and accepting the issue as discussing subject. >Only four replied and the others were very scarstic.There never came life in >discussing the subject of health and education in the Gambia. The excuses >were we know nothing about it. Until after a period when one Musa Sowe wrote >PROPOSAL FOOD FOR THOUGHT then everybodt start knowing something on the >subject. > >Health ws never been mentioned again but EDucation was which is indeed very >good and promising.HEalth was raised just sometime ago when everybody was >curios about the statistics of the NIGHTMARE HIV/AIDS in the Gambia.
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Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 19:58:16 -0400 (EDT) From: Gabriel Ndow <gndow@Spelman.EDU> To: "Numukunda Darboe(Mba)" <ndarboe@sunset.backbone.olemiss.edu> Cc: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: AGREE TO DISAGREE Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.95.970715195417.10729C-100000@acc5> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
I concur with all the Numukunda said on this matter. Health is an extremely important issue and in no way should it be sidelined. On the other hand, past experiences led some of us to caution the group on the confrontational/personalized direction the discussion on IOM was taking - concerning Tombong. No hard feelings bro. LatJor
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 11:03:30 +0900 (JST) From: binta@iuj.ac.jp To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <199707160157.KAA16001@mlsv.iuj.ac.jp> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Bass,
One does not have to agree with your entire piece on this difficult subject, but you have made some fine analysis. Needless to say, the involvement of government to create a level playing field for Gambians to compete and bring the best out of themselves is necessary. Of course I would have thought that you would call Akus, Serrer, Jola, Fula, Jollof, Mandinka, and Sarahule ethnic groups and not tribes (laugh)! But we must avoid generalisations about individual groups, as Bass did. Rather than harnessing what Bass sees as his identified good trait(s) in each group, I think judging a person on his own merit provides a better way forward. Assess the individual and not what group he belongs to. Read/see my message as coming from a person, not from a person of an ethnic group.
Sometime ago I read an article by Ali Mazrui in which he characterised most of Africa as nations within States. By this he means, many of us first pay allegiance to our ethnic groupings before the state. Sadly though, the irony is that that very process of education that seemingly erodes paying hommage to ethnic group continues to divide us. I need not provide further proof of this! Yes education can bond our states and nations into one, but in that process special attention must be given to socialisation in the home. We must stop telling our kids that one ethnic group is this and the other that; we must tell our kids that the Gambia is such a minority country in the world that very few outside the subregion know about; that we cannot afford to stand individually; we must encourage our childen to become multi- lingual within the Gambian framework. Above all this, we must teach our kids to place premium on individual merit and not on ethnic group.
Indeed the thought of Gambia degenerating into a state evidently witnessed in other parts of Africa and the world is scary but not impossible. History repeats itself because we fail to learn from it. I hope that our leaders in the Gambia realise our concerns and do nothing to forment ethnic hatred. But that must be seen to be done. Politicising the country by paying lipservice to nation-building cannot bring us together. African countries have a notoreity of never climbing out of a slump once they start back-peddaling. I hope our leaders act more with their head than with the heart. A little narration here will presumably not hurt this discussion. Some while ago I was discussing with a French colleague of mind here. Guess what, the discussion was about wars and safety in the world. He and many others ( of course non-Africans) were pointing fingers at the carnage Africans are doing to themselves. Blood letting in Rwanda, soaring crime in Cape Town, Lagos, and Nairobi... At this point I was alreading fuming with rage for their parochialism, and I too went on the attack: crime in New York, IRA in UK, the Basque in Spain, the rebel groups all over Asia and Latin America... But my French friend said something to me that I could not readily counter. This was what he said: ' Lamin, we are not saying that the whole of Africa is in turmoil. Neither are we saying that what is happening in Africa is not found elsewhere. But we are concerned that the tranquility and quietude in most of Africa evapourates in the twinkle of an eye. By this i mean, you never know when war is going to break in an African country. Look at Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zaire'. I went mum because I knew he had a point. The evidence is overwhelming. Any dissenting views on this?
***Food for thought***
Has anyone ever realsied that Black Africa is a minority race under the broadest classification of races ( Mongoloid, Caucasian, Negroid)?
Peace!!
Lamin
PS: I apologise for the use of the masculine gender in reference to both sexes.
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Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 21:46:26 -0500 (EST) From: Susan Renee Hayes <srhayes@indiana.edu> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: New member Message-ID: <Pine.HPP.3.91.970715213548.19217B-100000@juliet.ucs.indiana.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Greetings,
I'm Susan Hayes and I live in Bloomington, Indiana. I went to Gambia as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1988 and stayed for two years in Mansajang Kunda, near Basse, URD. My husband (who I met during that time) is Ebrima Jallow. I am technically a graduate student here at Indiana University studying linguistics (and I have updated references on African language classification to add to Mr. Drammeh's respectable introduction to the subject). My husband, a tailor by trade, and I have recently gone into the tailoring business here in Bloomington and I have been spending more time on that than my dissertation research (which will be concerning the Fula language). We have two small children who also get in the way (happily) of finishing a graduate degree. I joined the list with the hope of getting information about how things are going in Gambia and to hear from others from and connected with the country.
Thanks,
Susan
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 10:42:58 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> To: "'gambia'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Agree to disagree-health care Message-ID: <9B236DF9AF96CF11A5C94044F321903110108F@DKDIFS02> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Mr. Omar Saho, I=B4ll ensure you, that the health-situation all over = has my great interest. I don=B4t know anything on medicin, and comming from = a rich,western country, where we spend billion of tax-payers money just = to keep, what we think is not even a good health-care-system, makes me giving up from first hand on advices. Personnally I believe that first people need acces to clean, healthy water-supply, then a = sanitary-system (not necessarely like the ones we have here, I have seen fine systems = in countries with septic-systems and so), then better living conditions, enough food, and the primary health-system out where people live. A = good life comes from having a job, possibillities to fullfill some needs, educational, etc., etc.. You all know better than me. I=B4ll gladly comment what "we" do and don=B4t, and I has earlier asked = why the experts were talking about a socalled " meningitis-belt" and did nothing. I send a comment on how I think that there is "no money" in poor people, how specialists, doctors, medicin industry concentrate on our part of the world with plastic- surgery, heart-operations of any kind, fat-sucking, stress-nerve-medicin, cancer-AIDS-research etc. I have an opinion on all this, but where to start and where to finish = is difficult for me. It=B4s so overwhelming. Maybe it would help if I = could find myself in it ? What could you imagine that I could do ? What = should my role be ? On my first tour in =B479, I=B4ve seen a clinic being build and = established in Kartong Village, but now it is not functioning. There has not been any service in that clinic for years. When I payed visit to the village three years ago the people were working hard to put up poles for electric wires, a man cut himself in his leg with an axe, but there = were no-one, who he could turn to to get first-hand-help, because there was no medicin, nothing to clean or stitch his leg with, and it was pure luck there was a transport availble. Just a month ago a young woman in the same village, (who I met first time, when she was a young girl in =B479) died in labour. I=B4ve been to RVH and seen the facilities, I = know that the danish-gambian-organisation over the years has send many beds, hospital-equipment, wheel-chairs, medicin to the Gambia, and still do. But it looks like "a small drop in the ocean." Every day I hear about many diseases, which has been known "allways", but we still have no control on them. As simple as the warnings we now are having from our authorities, when we are going to places on the = earh with malaria - they say that there is nothing to stop it. If we are comming to live for a long period in such an risc-area, we can only = take medicin with high bi-effect-riscs. We must know nearly everything about the malaria-spreading-moskitos living-places, and -circles. But we do nothing effectively, because we know that we have to spray at exactly the same hour all places in a village, just to try to avoid the problem for a period in that specific village. And measles, hepatitis ....and you can go on.=20 I=B4m employed in sports, and we as an organisation is used by the government in building up some effect for primary health among the people. We make campaigns on "Don=B4t smoke", "Don=B4t drink too much alcohol", "Eat correct food and better food", "Get some exercise every day", "Don=B4t dope", "Elderly peoples sport-campaign", and it=B4s in = all our educational materiales, taught in all trainer cources, told in the clubs. And we coorporate with the schools, kinder-gardens, youngster-clubs, etc. We also give out small booklets where you can be taught how to treat yourself, and your family, read the signals from = the body and do something yourself, and treat yourself when you have samll accidents, instead of calling the doctor.=20 But all the experiences I have can not be directly transferred to The Gambia. The social model we have in Scandinavia should be transformed to the whole world. We pay for the health-care-standard over the tax-bill, and not like in USA, where -as I understand it- most people has to ensure themselves by signing an insurance-contract. Because of private-enterprise-systems I=B4m not sure, that we as = ordinary people can force the big medical industries and the research-institutes to focus on the needs in Africa. But I should like that there was some world-wide authority which could take some of the profit from the compagnies, and direct the money to the research and help needed. But that is an socialistic way of thinking, which is not "in" right now. Asbj=F8rn Nordam
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 11:33:23 +0200 From: momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: APOLOGY Message-ID: <19970716103533.AAA53618@LOCALNAME>
Momodou Njie, I have just realized what you mean. The date in Bass's mails are January 1980. SORRY FOR THAT MISUNDERSTANDING!!
Tak Asbjcrn!
Momodou Camara
On 15 Jul 97 at 17:10, Camara, Momodou wrote:
> Mr. Njie, > Can you please enlighten us on what you mean by "Bass being 17 > years behind the rest of us"? > > On 15 Jul 97 at 15:42, M. Njie wrote: > By the way, I notice that Bass is 17 years > > behind the rest of us! ******************************************************* http://home3.inet.tele.dk/mcamara
**"Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible"***
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 12:38:27 +0200 (EET) From: Omar Gibba <ib97omgi@mikkeliamk.fi> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Change of e-mail address! Message-ID: <Pine.HPP.3.95.970716122154.2100A-100000@hanna.mikkeliamk.fi> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Dear Sirs
I would like you to change my mailing address to ojgibba@hotmail.com. I loose a lot of mails because of lack of space in our school computers. Secondly, I would like to access my mail box anywhere I go, which is not possible with my old e-mail address. Could somebody please help me out. My old address is: ib97omgi@mikkeliamk.fi, which should be changed to: ojgibba@hotmail.com. Thanks in advance!
Omar Gibba
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 12:18:28 +0100 (BST) From: "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: (PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <Pine.HPP.3.91.970716121602.184A-100000@whale.students.stir.ac.uk> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Momodou,
I was referring to the date. It was meant to be a joke really.
Regards, MomodouOn Tue, 15 Jul 1997 momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk wrote:
> Mr. Njie, > Can you please enlighten us on what you mean by "Bass being 17 > years behind the rest of us"? > > Best regards! > > Momodou Camara > > On 15 Jul 97 at 15:42, M. Njie wrote: > > > Many thanks for the references. I am already familiar > > with > > some of them. By the way, I notice that Bass is 17 years > > behind the rest of us! > > > > On Fri, 4 Jan 1980, BASSIROU > > DODOU DRAMMEH wrote: > > > > > Mr.Njie! > > > Thanks for your response! My sources are as follows:- > > > 1) The Oxford Anthology of English Literature.(Vol.1) > > > 2) The Language Files (Ohio State University) > > > 3) Compton's New Century Encyclopedia > > > 4) Encarta 96 Encyclopedia > > > 5) The New Grolier Encyclopedia > > > 6) The Development of Islam in West Africa ( Mervyn Hesket) > > > 7) The Africans ( David Lamb) > > > 8) The Destuction Of Black Civilisation (Chancellor Williams) > > > 9) The African Origin Of Civilization (Prof. Chiekh Anta Diop) > > > 10) Precolonial Black Africa ( Prof. Chieckh Anta Diop) > > > 11) Language Thought and Action (S.I.Hayakawa) > > > > > > Regards Bassss!! > > > ---------- > > > From: M. Njie[SMTP:mn015@students.stir.ac.uk] > > > Sent: 09/NEiU CaCea/1418 05:45 a > > > To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List > > > Subject: Re:(PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA > > > > > > It would really be appreciated if at the end of every > > > instalment, Bass provides, if possible, a list of his sources. > > > Of course, there will be no need for this if he is not > > > consulting any. > > > > > > Regards, > > > Momodou > > > > > > > > > On Fri, 4 Jan 1980, BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > ***THE BLACK TOWER OF BABEL*** > > > > > > > > We have already talked about how two or more languages that are genetically > > > > related could be separated from each other and eventually end up not being > > > > able to talk to each other without the help of a translator;but today we > > > > will go one step further by saying that sometimes these related languages > > > > would even have different names in different places,a fact that could make > > > > it even more difficult,if not impossible,for most people to recognize > > > > them.We can cite here French,Italian,Portuguese and Spanish as our > > > > example.All of these three languages come from one language,namely,Latin; > > > > but each one of them has its separate name and identiy coupled with the > > > > fact that none of them could understand each other without a > > > > translator.This is precisely what has happened to most of the languages on > > > > our continent.And we will show that to be the case in just a moment.But > > > > before that we want to clarify one crucial point.A language is just like a > > > > town or city: whatever the degree or magnitude of change that it has gone > > > > through may be, it will always retain some remnants of its past, and those > > > > bits and pieces that survive change are what the historians use to trace > > > > back its history and relationship with other languages.One such remnant in > > > > Africa's black languages is the Phonology (sound system).It has been > > > > observed that almost all the languages that are scattered all over our > > > > continent from Chad to the Cape have sounds in them which allow an (m) or > > > > an (n) to be directly followed by a consonant, eg : (NG,NK,ND,MP,NK ??.) so > > > > that you can find words in them such as > > > > gaMBia,ugaNDa,taNZania,ziMBabwe,buruNDi,rwaNDa etc?. The other well known > > > > feature of African languages is the manner in which sentences are > > > > constructed.In English, for instance, a normal sentence is constructed by > > > > first mentioning the Subject then the Verb and then the Object like in > > > > (John -had-his lunch) but in Mandinka, the Subject is followed not by the > > > > Verb but by the Object and the Verb comes at the end,so that the > > > > grammatical translation of this same English sentence into Mandinka would > > > > be something like: (John - his lunch - had).And this rule applies to most > > > > of Africa's black languages. > > > > > > > > Now we want to look at the Languages themselves.The Mother of most of the > > > > languages we speak is called: The Niger-Congo Linguistic Family.It had > > > > three daughters or branches, and her first daughter to be separated from > > > > her was MANDE some six thousand years ago, just few centuries after the > > > > First Great Migrations precipitated by the drying of the Sahara.The MANDE > > > > branch has since then assumed different names in different parts of the > > > > continent, but mainly in West Africa ,and they are: Mandinka, Malinka, > > > > Maninka, Kasonka, Bambara, Dyula, Sussou, Sonninke,Mende(Sierra Leone) and > > > > Kpelle (Liberia), and they have Speech Communities (people who speak them) > > > > in Gambia,Senegal,Mali,Liberia,Sierra Leone,Ivory Coast,Western > > > > Ghana,Burkina Faso,Benin and Parts of Nigeria. > > > > The Second daugther or branch is called MEL and it includes the following > > > > languages: Temne(Sierra Leone),Wollof (Senegambia),Fulla (Senegambia and > > > > Several West African Countries),Kru (Liberia,Ivory Coast),Gur > > > > (Burkina,Mali,Ivory Coast and Benin), Kwa and that has a dialect in Ivory > > > > Coast called Baule and a number of dialects in Ghana called > > > > Fante,Twi,Ashanti and Ewe.The same Kwa has another dialect in Benin called > > > > Fon.And further,the same Kwa has now become three separate languages in > > > > Nigeria,namely, Yoruba,Igbo and Efik. > > > > The Third and the last daughter of the Niger-Congo Linguistic Family is > > > > called The ADAMAWA Branch, and it includes the following languages: Zande > > > > (Northern Zaire,parts of sudan and central Africa); Sango (Zaire,Central > > > > Africa and Chad); Bantu which in turn is the Mother of most of the > > > > Languages in the Southern African Region and they are: Kikongo and Lingala > > > > (Zaire, both of them do understand each other); Isizulu and Isixhosa (South > > > > Africa, Mutually intelligible); Sesotho, Sepedi and Setswana > > > > (Lesotho,Botswana and S.Africa); Chishona (Zimbabwe); Chibemba (Zambia and > > > > Zaire); Chinyanja (Malawi); ****swa (Mozambique); KinyaRwanda and Kirundi > > > > (Burundi and Rwandi, mutually intelligible); Luganda (Uganda); Gikikuyu > > > > (Kenya); Kiswahili (Kenya,Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire). > > > > > > > > So,we will conclude this installment by saying that the frightening number > > > > of 1800 languges of black Africa could be condensed into twenty or so > > > > languages we have just cited, which is not very much more than the total > > > > number of European languages at present. Such a condensation is possible > > > > because millions and millions of black Africans speak two or more > > > > languages, esp. in the Continents major urban centres.The East African > > > > Region is a case in point. Between35 to 40 million people of this Region > > > > use Swahili as their LINGUA FRANCA (the Language used to talk to people of > > > > other Language groups) and in the West African Region, a slightly less than > > > > that number of people use Hausa to talk to each other. As for the Southern > > > > African Region, we have seen that in South Africa, Most people speak either > > > > Xhosa or Zulu both of which are mutually intelligible; and almost exactly > > > > the same thing applies to the two main Languages of the two Congos,namely, > > > > Kikongo and Lingala.So, in retrospect, we can say that even though Mother > > > > Africa's capacity to communicate with herself is far from ideal, it is > > > > nonetheless a gross distortion to label it as "Linguistically confused", > > > > but what else could we expect from those who shamelessly earn their living > > > > by savaging our continent and her children?! In our NEXT INSTALLMENT, we > > > > will explore the Ethnic and Language situation in , where else, "For the > > > > Gambia , Our homeland" And until then ???.. > > > > Regards Basss!!
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 15:24:47 +0200 From: "pa sowe" <sowe@online.no> To: <Gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: VS: Change of e-mail address! Message-ID: <199707161327.PAA25093@online.no> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
---------- > Fra: Omar Gibba <ib97omgi@mikkeliamk.fi> > Til: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > Emne: Change of e-mail address! > Dato: 16. juli 1997 12:38 > > Dear Sirs > > I would like you to change my mailing address to ojgibba@hotmail.com. I > loose a lot of mails because of lack of space in our school computers. > Secondly, I would like to access my mail box anywhere I go, which is not > possible with my old e-mail address. > Could somebody please help me out. My old address is: > ib97omgi@mikkeliamk.fi, which should be changed to: ojgibba@hotmail.com. > Thanks in advance! > > Omar Gibba >
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 12:42:33 -0000 From: "The Gambia-L shadow list" <gambia-l@commit.gm> To: <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <B0000001739@south.commit.gm> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
To the Group from Jorn Grotnes, in reply to binta@iuj.ac.jp
> (laugh)! But we must avoid generalisations about individual groups,
I agree, and would have liked to comment if you had not done it better.
Bass first states that tribalism is not a good thing for nation-building, and then goes straight ahead and presents the kind of myths that every society, all over the world, makes for its (not always even ethnic!) groups. These myths are "truth" as far as they are firmly embedded in peoples minds (from child-hood as you say) and thus they even go a long way to create their own truth.
> quietude in most of Africa evapourates in the twinkle of an eye. On the other hand, it is observed in other parts of the world as well, that the spiral of violence, usually fuelled by weapon dealers and political opportunists, will escalate a conflict along what people view as the dividing lines. E.g. Bosnia.
> Has anyone ever realsied that Black Africa is a minority race under > the broadest classification of races ( Mongoloid, Caucasian, Negroid)? And after being encouraged by reading through your well-written mail, I read this and get very disappointed. What do you mean, broadest classification? The European classification (non-scientific too) is Whites and Colored, usually. And that makes the Whites the minority. My point is that you can make anything a fact by twisting the statistics, but why? And the term "minority race"?? How can "Black Africa", which I take to mean "Sub-Saharan Africa" be a "minority race"?? In which society, the World? I think it is even very far fetched to define all Africans as the same "race" if that indeed is going to be used as a term. If race is going to be defined on genetics, I sincerely believe you'll find rather more genetic differences within Africa than between a given African and e.g. an Englishman. Or a Japanese. But I am willing to stand corrected on that, especially if someone will state facts backed by a reference, (and I don't mean a book list).
The issue of "race" was brought up earlier, and was then quickly dismissed. But I have read (in Bass' lectures) that it is controversial whether we, as I believe: all were humans first, then diverged into different areas and was shaped with small differences (mainly form, not essence/genetics) or that the "races" have individually developed from something not-quite-human and just accidentically become similar enough that we can interbreed... If somone really mean that is still a theory, I'd also like to read some sources on that.
This time, I really don't mind it if it starts a debate...
Regards, Joern
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Date: Fri, 4 Jan 1980 13:53:38 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'gambia-l@u.washington.edu'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: New member Message-ID: <01A8EA89.80D6D460@dijh.qatar.net.qa>
Susan! You are most WELCOME! The Bantabaa is yours as much as anybody else.Please, feel free to take your rightful place there! Again, you are most welcome to the Penchabi !
Regards Basss!
---------- From: Susan Renee Hayes[SMTP:srhayes@indiana.edu] Sent: 11/NEiU CaCea/1418 12:46 O To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List Subject: Re: New member
Greetings,
I'm Susan Hayes and I live in Bloomington, Indiana. I went to Gambia as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1988 and stayed for two years in Mansajang Kunda, near Basse, URD. My husband (who I met during that time) is Ebrima Jallow. I am technically a graduate student here at Indiana University studying linguistics (and I have updated references on African language classification to add to Mr. Drammeh's respectable introduction to the subject). My husband, a tailor by trade, and I have recently gone into the tailoring business here in Bloomington and I have been spending more time on that than my dissertation research (which will be concerning the Fula language). We have two small children who also get in the way (happily) of finishing a graduate degree. I joined the list with the hope of getting information about how things are going in Gambia and to hear from others from and connected with the country.
Thanks,
Susan
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 15:08:12 +0100 (BST) From: "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <Pine.HPP.3.91.970716143524.184E-100000@whale.students.stir.ac.uk> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
I think Bass has done a good job of tackling such an important topic. His approach, inevtiably, has aroused some controversy, and some members have put forward important observations.
I just want to say that I find his generalisations rather uncomfortable. I believe in individual differences, although I can understand why certain generalisations have been made.
What is said about the Fula could easily be said about the Serahule. After all, their business acumen enriched old Ghana. What is said about the Wolof could easily apply to the Akus, who are mainly Christian. What is said about the Mandinka could easily apply to the Jola. For many years they resisted Foday Kabba and ensured that Foni remained a Jola state. ( I think in this case one can argue that the Jola are resilient. But I also think that in the case of the Jola, they had resilience forced on them. Otherwise, they would happily have continued with their farming, fishing and bee-keeping). And what is said about the Serere could easily apply to the Jola. It was partly the desire to maintain their customs and traditions that made it difficult for the Jola to be integrated into mainstream Gambian society ( or for mainstream Gambian society to be integrated into them), especially in terms of religion and education. In fact, there is a school of thought which maintains that the Jola and Serere are related.
There are, of course, other contentious issues, but they might require a separate discussion. As far as this one is concerned, I am prepared to 'take the moral...take the fruit and let the chaff go'.
Regards, Momodou
On Fri, 4 Jan 1980, BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH wrote:
> **** Language And Ethnicity In Gambia*** > > Gambia, like all other African countries, is still a highly tribalized > state.Of course,there is nothing wrong with having people in any given > country belonging to various language groups,because almost every country > on this planet has that; but there is something seriously wrong with > states that in this day and age would sometimes have to compete with the > TRIBE for the loyality of the individuals that belong to it.That > competition would normally stem from the fact that the National Identity > has not matured to the point that there is a uniformity of objectives > between those of the state and the various Ethnic groups, and in such > states whenever a conflict of interest surfaces between the state and the > Tribe, most people instinctively give their support to their respective > groups. > > One can argue that because Gambia has so far not degenerated into the kind > of fratricidal orgy that we have witnessed elsewhere on the Continent that > maybe its National Identity has solidified enough to the point that it > cannot disintegrate under the pressure of conflicting ethnic interests.But > the chilling lessons of Somalia would render such notions naive at best, > and, at worst, dangerously complacent.Because Somalia, as opposed to the > Gambia, had already been a detribalized state by the time it colapsed into > statelessness and was, moereover, the model of an ethnically homogenious > country, esp. for the so-called Africa Experts.Another argument against > such complacence is that since we have started to govern ourselves in the > early sixties,the country has never been tested sufficiently enough > internally for us to know how solid the so-called Gambian National Identity > is.But the fact the that many of her sisters have failed such tests in the > recent past should be a reminder that it is not impossible that she also > would fail if similar circumstances arise.For that reason and much more,it > is incumbent upon all of us, Gambians and friends of the Gambia alike, to > studiously and rationally debate this issue so as to be able to come up > with creative strategies that would help not only to accelerate the > detribalization process but also to clearly define what Gambian National > Identity is and how its various components could be translated into the > Curriculum so that it could be an integral part of the socialisation > process of the young and coming generations. > > Yes,it may be true that Gambia has never had any ethnic conflicts in the > strict sense of the word, but each and everyone of us has heard or > witnessed instances whereby some disturbing ethnic noises were made that, > had it not been for the good sense of some ,could have easily degenerated > into the kinds of unspeakable acts that we have seen in Somalia, Liberia, > Sierra Leone etc. > > The process of Detribalization naturally takes place in the major urban > centers and in many of the schools that are located in non-tribal > territories ,but such processes,as in the Gambia,( with the exception of > course of marriage across ethnic groups) are neither watertight nor > irreversible.Not only that,it is also a tortuously slow process when left > to take place naturally on its own without the intervention of the > state.Detribalization, by the way, is any experience that helps the > individual in a TRIbalized society to UNLEARN the instinctive response > peculiar to his/her group that she internalised during her formative years. > Such a process when most successful enables the individual to have the > capacity to evaluate societal issues solely on the basis of their merits > without that being influenced in anyway by the parochial concerns of the > ethnic group that she comes from.Such a person has become culturally broad > minded and sophisticated enough to realize that many of the assumptions > relating to the inherent goodness of her ethnic group at the expense of all > the other groupings are nothing but unfounded myths.This person knows that > each ethnic grouping in the Gambia has at least one quality that must be a > component of the Gambian national Identity or else such an Identity would > be seriously impaired. That person must know that the AKUS are,for > instance, the single ethnic group in the Gambia that is almost totally > literate and that they have very polished and civilised manners towards > themselves and towrds others.Those are qualities that all of us should kill > to get. That person must know also that the JOLAS have a devastating > capacity for decipline and hardwork and are not like many of us who enjoy > long hours of idling under the shade of a tree. Such a quality is something > all of us must kill to add to ours.That person must know that the Serrers > are the jealous custodians and guardians of our African culture and > heritage in its pristine state after many of us have diluted ours with the > foreign ones almost beyond recognition. That also should be a quality most > of us should kill to have. That person must know that the Wollofs are > profoundly secular,broadminded and liberal people their Islamic religion > notwithstanding. That also is a quality worth cutting our arms and legs > just to get. That person must know also that the Fullas commercial > intelligence is a quality that a future prosperous Gambia cannot do > without. That person must know further that the royalty and fearlessness of > the mandinkas with their instinctive refusal to be coerced is a quality > that all of us must have if our democratic experiment is to succeed. And > finally, that person must know that the incredible capacity of the > Sarrahullehs to endure and deny the self during wealth creation would be an > indispensible ingredient in any future Gambian National Identity. > > > > > So,we will now conclude by saying that for the Gambia to be able to be a > coherent and harmonious state with a set of state with unified national > objectives,it must first of all have to work on a National Identy that > incoporates all the good qualities of the various ethnic groupings and > must figure out the pedagogical means to inculcate those values into the > young.It must also work on increasing the number of roads and > transportations between the various ethnic territories that normally don't > interact that much and must encourage and even help inter-ethnic > marriages.The leadership must have the foresight and vision to embody the > hopes,dreams and fears of the vast majority of the people in the > geographical entity called Gambia.And when that happens all of us could > sing with the Gambia Police and say: > "That all may live in unity,Freedom and peace each day.Let justice guide > our actions,Twords the common good,and join our diverse peoples,to prove > man's brotherhood.We pledge our firm allegiance,our promise we renew. Keep > us great God of Nations,To the Gambia ever TRUE." > > > REGARDS Basss > > > > > > > > >
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 19:39:41 +0200 From: "Momodou S Sidibeh" <momodou.sidibeh@stockholm.mail.telia.com> To: <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: SV: SV: (PART3) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <199707161411.QAA04273@d1o2.telia.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Laura, I am not sure why you think Bass' narrative Eurocentric. It is his case for an Egyptian origin of Africa's tribal history that I am in disagreement with. It is Afrocentrism - in this case itself a negative Eurocentrism, in my mind. Societies rise and fall, and rise again: Rome, China, Egypt, Abyssinia (Ethiopia), Ghana, Turkey (Ottoman empire), Britain, etc. In that sense development is cyclical?
However, knowledge, especially scientific knowledge, has gradually made the lives of more and more people healthier and happier: less deaths at birth, increased life expectancy,and the capacity to experience more of the world, in general. And unless we argue that in spite of its strides, even scientific progress is fraught with an in-built self-destructive mechanism - nuclear weapons, unethical genetics - one should maintain that this progress in linear. The difficulty lies, I believe, in making a distinction between what can be alluded to as societal development, and scientific progress. The former, generally ruled by men's beliefs, fears, and passions, while the latter ruled generally by concrete testable and falsifiable knowledge.
The moral indignation I feel against cannibalism has three sources, namely: the growth of religious belief, scientific progress, and a democratic outlook. It seems to me that most people would consider cannibalism backward, and living in trees primitive; and that the majority of people in the world would prefer living in Boston rather than in the jungles of Irian Jaya. Unless you explain, perhaps, what you mean by societal development (in case I am misunderstanding you), I do not quite see what parameters a scientific proof here should consist of.
I beg your pardon for the tardy response. Best regards, Momodou. > Från: Laura Munzel <lem10@columbia.edu> > Till: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > Ämne: Re: SV: (PART3) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRBE IN AFRICA > Datum: den 12 juli 1997 23:37 > > Dear Momodou, > > You are correct when you say modern anthropological theory evolved in > part from some biological principles, as well as Darwinism. While the > theories based on biology and Darwinism are valuable precursors to > current anthropology, I don't think they are considered as holding much > validity today. > > "I also reject the theory that history progresses in linear fashion. > Much evidence suggests a cyclic order. I think, however, that Laura > Munzell needs to explain why she thinks, say, the Waorani Indians (in > the Brazialian rainforest) or tribes people in the jungles of Indonesia > - some of who live in large tents amidst tree-tops, and practice > cannibalism - are not 'locked in some kind of arrested development'." > > It seems your conception of a "cyclic" order still contains the central > tenet of Bass's post which I wanted to argue against: That there exists > a hierarchy of societal development. When you cite cannabalism as a > symptom of arrested development, you are in effect agreeing with the > linear view of societal advancement. This is just what I disagree with. > What proof exists that cannablism or living in trees is a lower form of > society? > Moral indignation against cannabilism seems to have influenced your > conclusion. But can this be scientific? > > Best regards, > Laura
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 17:31:12 +0200 From: momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Change of e-mail address! Message-ID: <19970716163325.AAD49764@LOCALNAME>
Omar, The new address has been added the the old one removed as requested.
Momodou Camara
On 16 Jul 97 at 12:38, Omar Gibba wrote:
> Dear Sirs > > I would like you to change my mailing address to > ojgibba@hotmail.com. I loose a lot of mails because of lack of space > in our school computers. Secondly, I would like to access my mail > box anywhere I go, which is not possible with my old e-mail address. > Could somebody please help me out. My old address is: > ib97omgi@mikkeliamk.fi, which should be changed to: > ojgibba@hotmail.com. Thanks in advance! > > Omar Gibba >
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 08:52:17 PDT From: "ebrima drameh" <njogou@hotmail.com> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: BACK FROM BANJUL Message-ID: <199707161552.IAA28786@f52.hotmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain
HELLO LIST MEMBERS, I ARRIVED FROM BANJUL A FEW DAYS AGO.IT WAS A VERY SHORT HOLIDAY,JUST TWO WEEKS.I AM WRITING TO REPORT ON THE PROGRESS I MADE WITH REGARDS NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE OBSERVER AND GAMTEL.THE ULTIMATE AIM OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS WAS TO SECURE A CONTRACT WITH THE OBSERVER.
I HAD A LENGHTY DISCUSSION WITH SANKUNG SAWO OF GAMTEL.HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE ONLY NEWSPAPER IN THE GAMBIA THAT WAS EQUIPPED TO SERVE OUR INTEREST WAS THE OBSERVER.FOR HIS PART,BEING AN OFFICIAL OF GAMTEL I DID NOT IN ANY WAY WANT TO PUT HIM IN A POSITION WHERE HIS JOB IS LIKELY TO BE THREATENED.HE RECOMMENDED THAT I TALK TO THE OBSERVER.
I MADE SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO THE OBSERVER TO TRY TO TALK TO MR GEORGE THE MD.ALMOST EVERY DAY I LEFT A MESSAGE FOR MR GEORGE WHICH INCLUDED MY PHONE NUMBER FOR HIM TO RETURN MY CALL.AFTER THREE OR FOUR DAYS OF CALLING I WENT TO THE OBSERVER AND VIRTUALLY SPENT THE DAY WITH THE STAFF CHATTING WHILST WAITING FOR MR GEORGE.ONE OF THE EDITORS AT THE OBSERVER ASSURED ME THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTED AS SOON AS MR GEORGE WAS IN.I WAS NEVER CONTACTED.I UNDERSTAND FROM SOMEONE IN THE OBSERVER THAT MR GEORGE IS NOT TOO KEEN ON SIGNING A CONTRACT BECAUSE HE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THE OBSERVER WILL BE PUBLISHED DAILY.I EXPLAINED THAT WE DO NOT WANT THE OBSERVER OR MR GEORGE TO FEEL TOO OBLIGATED.
I HAVE ALSO GOT IN TOUCH WITH PAP SAINE,CO-DIRECTOR OF THE POINT.HE WELCOMED THE IDEA BUT SAID THAT THE ISSUE MUST BE DISCUSSED WITH THE MD,DEYDA HYDARA WHO WAS OUT OF TOWN ATTENDING A CONFERENCE ON THE USE OF THE INTERNET IN THE MEDIA.HE SHOULD BE BACK ANY TIME NOW.MR SAINE WILL MAKE THE PROPOSAL AND I WILL BE CALLING EARLY NEXT WEEK TO FIND OUT.
ALSO MR SAWO HAS INFORMED ME OF DISCUSSIONS HE HAS MADE WITH SWAEBOU CONATEH WHO OWNS A NEWS AGENCY IN THE GAMBIA.HIS COMPANY RECENTLY RECEIVED A CONSIGNEMENT OF OFFICE MATERIAL FROM A DONOR WHICH INCLUDES COMPUTERS AND IS LIKELY TO BE ABLE TO SERVE OUR PURPOSE.
HOWEVER OF ALL THESE OPTIONS I STILL BELIEVE THAT THE OBSERVER IS OUR BEST CHOICE.I WILL RESUME MY EFFORTS TO GET TO MR GEORGE AND I AM STILL CONFIDENT THAT BEFORE LONG A CONTRACT WILL BE NEGOTIATED.
ON BEHALF OF THE LIST I DID EXPRESS SINCERE GRATITUDE TO MR SAWO OF GAMTEL FOR HIS UNTIRING EFFORTS. EBRIMA DRAMEH.
______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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Date: 16 Jul 1997 16:11:45 GMT From: momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Fwd: UN-HUMAN RIGHTS: Congo Killings Could Constitute Genocide Message-ID: <1649733598.225081811@inform-bbs.dk>
Copyright 1997 InterPress Service, all rights reserved. Worldwide distribution via the APC networks.
*** 11-Jul-97 ***
Title: UN-HUMAN RIGHTS: Congo Killings Could Constitute Genocide
By Farhan Haq
UNITED NATIONS, Jul 11 (IPS) - The rebel force now ruling the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) and its allies committed the bulk of the killings and human rights atrocities in that nation during the past year, says a new U.N. report.
And the report - prepared by the U.N. Human Rights Commission and Chilean special rapporteur Roberto Garreton - argues on the basis of preliminary findings that ''some of these alleged massacres could constitute acts of genocide.''
Further investigation is needed, however, to test such allegations, saysw the report - released here Friday.
''There is no denying that ethnic massacres were committed, and that the victims were mostly Hutus from Burundi, Rwanda and Zaire,'' the report says. Some 68 percent of all accusations of rights violations are blamed on the now-ruling Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (AFDL) and its allies, notably the Banyamulenge, an ethnic Tutsi group living in eastern Congo.
About 17 percent of all atrocities are credited to the forces of ousted Zairian dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, with the remainder attributed to foreign armies, rebel movements and mercenaries.
The report is especially harsh on the AFDL, whose leader, Laurent Kabila, is now the Congo's president in Kinshasha. The AFDL in turn has accused Garreton of bias, and this week succeeded in having the rights monitor's team replaced by one which will be appointed by, and report directly to, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
The report by Garreton's team, notes several incidents over the past few months in which AFDL soldiers shot at or threatened human rights monitors in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, where the rebellion against Mobutu began last September. ''There is a permanent atmosphere of insecurity and extreme tension in the area,'' the report says.
Since last October the AFDL and the Rwandan government, which according to Rwandan Vice President Paul Kagame in a newspaper interview lent military supoport to the rebels, may have massacred Rwandan refugees who fled to eastern Zaire in 1994. Those refugees included former Rwandan Army (FAR) officers and 'Interahamwe' paramilitaries who were themselves accused of the genocide of as many as one million Rwandan Tutsis in 1994, the report says.
''It is nevertheless unacceptable to claim that more than one million people, including large numbers of children, should be collectively designated as persons guilty of genocide and liable to execution without trial,'' the report says. Yet camps housing the refugees were attacked in the towns of Uvira, Bukavu and Goma in late October and early November last year, the monitors claim, and at other camps ''up to at least May of this year.''
The last known massacre was at Mbandaka on May 13, where at least 140 refugees were buried by humanitarian organisations in communal graves.
The mission received reports on 134 alleged massacres, ''most of them carried out by AFDL and the Banyamulenge rebels,'' the report says. ''Many testimonies also mentioned the unbearable stench from mass graves almost everywhere in Kivu.''
At the very least, the report concludes, the allegations ''seem to be sufficiently massive and systematic to be characterised as crimes against humanity.'' But the rights group admitted that it was unable to complete its investigation - leaving the matter now in the hands of the new team being assembled by Annan.
Bizima Karaha, foreign minister of the Congo, said Thursday after meeting Annan that his government would be willing to cooperate with the U.N. investigators. ''The government has said clearly to the United Nations...that we want to know the truth about what happened in our country,'' Karaha said.
But Karaha declined to say why the Kinshasa government objected so strongly to Garreton's inclusion, and he argued, ''We believe more in the investigation than in the individual.'' Although the foreign minister promised the U.N. monitors free access into the country, he also warned that security concerns in the region may make some areas difficult for travel.
Some officials have resented the U.N. focus on the Rwandan refugees altogether, particularly since the world body was widely criticised for failing to halt the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. In his interview, Kagame accused the United Nations of equating the alleged massacres in Congo with the earlier killings in Rwanda ''to deflect the blame for failures of their own making onto us.''
Kagame, who commands Rwanda's armed forces, said his country only assisted the AFDL and Banyamulenge after it failed to win any U.N. assistance to demobilise the FAR and Interahamwe based in North and South Kivu, which Rwanda contended were seeking to renew fighting.
''(The UN's) failure to act in eastern Zaire directly caused these problems and, when things blew up in their faces, they blamed us,'' Kagame said. ''These are people who want to be judges, and nobody can judge them.''
Annan said this week the important task now is for the new team to obtain facts about the reported massacres ''before they are tampered with.'' He added that the U.N. investigation may go as far back as 1993, as Kabila wishes, if the bodies uncovered date back to that time. (END/IPS/fah/97)
Origin: Washington/UN-HUMAN RIGHTS/ ----
[c] 1997, InterPress Third World News Agency (IPS)
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 13:20:37 -0400 (EDT) From: Ancha Bala-Gaye u <bala7500@mach1.wlu.ca> To: Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no> Cc: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: AGREE TO DISAGREE Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9707161349.A685-0100000@mach1.wlu.ca> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Hello Omar, Thank you for the info on Hepatitis, malaria, RSV etc. It's good to have such info. I think that many of the arguments on Gambia-l sometimes just die a natural death because people are tired of talking about the subject or have nothing more to say because everything to be said has been said. Basically, sides of the story have been discussed and there could be a silent agreement to agree to disagree....hence "next subject please". Another case is when one person is being rude to another in the middle of a discussion, and we all start on the discussion of how we are all adults hence should be able to disagree without being rude to others. When this happens, I have noticed that the subject just dies, people being side tracked with telling some-one how to speak to others. This of course is not an excuse for letting the subject die.....it just happens. Now, about health in The Gambia, I think that it is safe to say that most people do not know the exact situation at home, hence what is there to argue about?? I think that it is a very important subject and needs to be discussed, so maybe with your help we can do that?? If we have the facts about home, we can talk about it or maybe, if there are certain senarios regarding health at home that you want to discuss: you can tell us your opinion on the matter and we can go from there. What do you think??? Ancha.
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 10:55:36 -0700 From: Liz STewart <liz@stanne.com> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Message-ID: <l03102803aff2ba83e45b@[38.216.19.3]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Greetings to all list members:
David Gamble, known to many as Smbujang, wants people to know that, though he is getting old, he is still alive and well, and interested in The GAmbia. Any messages to him, please send to me, Liz Stewart Fatti.
By the way, soon I will have a new list address at which you can contact either myself or Sambujang.
Cheers
Liz Stewart Fatti
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 11:03:01 -0700 From: Liz STewart <liz@stanne.com> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Ayi Kwei Armah Message-ID: <l03102805aff2bd3c8825@[38.216.19.3]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>There is new Sierra Leonean novel "The Spirit of Badenia" (US$ 15) that might >interest you. If so, please write to P.O. Box 110698, Tacoma, WA. 98411. > >Regards, > >Sheikh Gibril.
Thanks, will do! Liz Stewart Fatti
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Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 03:17:31 +0900 (JST) From: binta@iuj.ac.jp To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <199707161812.DAA25983@mlsv.iuj.ac.jp> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Jeorn and shadow Gambia-l,
Thanks for your piece on this subject. Of course, we have to disagree on certain issues. It seems you are not comfortable with the idea of racial classification. I only hope all people of this world can think that way. That would inevitably solve half of the world's problems.
Lamin.
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 14:31:24 -0400 From: Latir Downes-Thomas <latir@earthlink.net> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: The Observer Online Message-ID: <33CD137C.573A5D91@earthlink.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Dear List Members,
On behalf of the Observer Online/GambiaNet Team I would just like to inform you of our progress in bringing the Observer Online project to fruition.
As was stated in the earlier progress report, a non profit/apolitical organisation called GambiaNet has been founded and is being registered in Chicago, Illinios. The same is aslo being done for a dedicated web site.
The required legal offices of the Organisation are now being filled and a testbed of the web site has been created by some members of our team. Since the Observer Online service will be our first and, for the time being, our primary offering we are waiting to finalise a contract with The Observer Company before officially requesting membership.
We are quite confident that this should happen shortly. Today we spoke with Mr. George of The Observer Company. They are still sorting out some temporary communications technicalities and they will resume sending trial issues shortly. Once an effective transmission procedure is established a contract between GambiaNet and The Observer will be signed and the service will begin in ernest. When that happens, hopefully very soon, we will inform you of the proper procedures for gaining access to the GambiaNet web site and for enrolling as a member of the Organisation to gain access to the Observer Online service.
Again, on behalf of the GambiaNet Team and Board of Directors, I would like reiterate that we are working deligently to bring this all to you, the Gambian Internet communitity.
We thank you for you patience, cooperation and assistance.
Yours Sincerely,
Latir Gheran Downes-Thomas GambiaNet
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 11:49:53 -0700 (PDT) From: madiba saidy <msaidy@unixg.ubc.ca> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: US Labels African White (fwd) Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.95q.970716114414.11644A-100000@netinfo2.ubc.ca> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Black or white? Egyptian immigrant fights for black classification.
Cheers,
Madiba. -- Confucius say... If you want pretty nurse, you got to be patient.
*****************************************************************************
July 16, 1997 Web posted at: 4:22 a.m. EDT (0822 GMT)
>From Correspondent Joan MacFarlane
DETROIT (CNN) -- An Egyptian immigrant is suing the U.S. government because they've told him he's white when his entire life he's been black.
Mostafa Hefny was born in Egypt and has always been proud of his Egyptian culture and his African ancestry. But when Hefny immigrated to America, the U.S. government told him he was no longer a black man.
"I was not told by Immigration that I was white until I passed the exam for citizenship and then I was told I am now white," he explains.
Hefny initially laughed when told of his new racial classification, but he's no longer chuckling. He recently filed suit against the U.S. government to get his race classification changed back from white to black.
"It hurts me. It definitely hurts me," Hefny says. "It hurts me because I am unable to reconcile my reality as a black person."
In addition to the emotional hurt, Hefny says that when the government changed his race, they also changed his social status.
"Definitely, I would've had more opportunity for advancement and even for hiring had I been considered black," he says. "I was prevented from applying and requesting positions and other benefits for minority person because I knew I was legally white."
Origin determines race
One of the problems with the naturalization process, in Hefny's opinion, is that race is classified by geographic location and not ancestry. That's part of the immigration process his lawsuit hopes to change.
The lawsuit targets Directive Number 15 of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. The directive defines black as a person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. A white person is defined as having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa or the Middle East.
"In the late '60s and early '70s, they found that different agencies were using different definitions for the same categories of people, and they thought it was important to have comprehensibility across federal agencies," explains Sally Katzen of the OMB.
The OMB is hoping to change the way they define races by revamping the troublesome directive.
"The principle we thought very important is self-identification," Katzen says. "I think that it is almost beyond dispute that an individual should identify himself or herself rather than have someone else do it."
Although it seems the government agrees with Hefny in principle, it refuses to respond publicly to his lawsuit. He expects that response later this year.
1997 Cable News Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 18:54:51 -0000 From: "The Gambia-L shadow list" <gambia-l@commit.gm> To: <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: BACK FROM BANJUL Message-ID: <B0000001755@south.commit.gm> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
To the Group from Torstein Grotnes, in reply to njogou@hotmail.com
Dear Mr.Ebrima Drameh and Observer Online members.
I am sorry to hear that Mr.Drameh have been visiting The Gambia without beeing able to meet us at Commit Enterprises Ltd. I think maybe that he is not fully informed on the Observer online progress the resent weeks. We are these days about to establish a Observer e-mail account. ( observer@commit.gm). A short delay has occured because of the Mac equipment that Observer is using. There has been some problems installing a proper e-mail client on the Mac they will use for the e-mail connection and there is also a need to upgrade the memory for them to be able to use the software. We are working hard on the problem, also because several people interested in becoming e-mail customers are using different Macs as their computer system. Mr,Charles Dixon of the ITS (responsible of maintaining the Observer equipment) is working in close cooperation with us and we hope to make the installation within the next days. We are also asked to quote for them the purchase of a new Mac computer to support the publishing setup they presently use.
The next step is to prepare the digital version of The Observer. Here we need to agree on where/how/who. I believe this will be the contract mentioned by Mr.Drameh. Mr. Theo George was particular in talking to us that the contract should include routines on permitting access to the Observer pages and payment to the Observer.
We also need to find international news sources for The Observer (e.g. Reuters) available in e-mail format. Again I urge readers of Gambia-L to tips us on any newsagency/source who delivers news in e-mail format.
Yours sicerely, Torstein Grotnes Manager & Secretary Commit Enterprises Ltd. Address: 6 M-section, Fajara, PMB 717, Serrekunda, The Gambia, WA Tel: +220 392667 Fax: +220 375890 E-mail: tgr@commit.gm
---------- > From: ebrima drameh <njogou@hotmail.com> > HELLO LIST MEMBERS, > I ARRIVED FROM BANJUL A FEW DAYS AGO.IT WAS A VERY > SHORT HOLIDAY,JUST TWO WEEKS.I AM WRITING TO REPORT ON THE PROGRESS I > MADE WITH REGARDS NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE OBSERVER AND GAMTEL.THE > ULTIMATE AIM OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS WAS TO SECURE A CONTRACT WITH THE > OBSERVER. > > I HAD A LENGHTY DISCUSSION WITH SANKUNG SAWO OF GAMTEL.HE EXPLAINED TO > ME THAT THE ONLY NEWSPAPER IN THE GAMBIA THAT WAS EQUIPPED TO SERVE OUR > INTEREST WAS THE OBSERVER.FOR HIS PART,BEING AN OFFICIAL OF GAMTEL I DID > NOT IN ANY WAY WANT TO PUT HIM IN A POSITION WHERE HIS JOB IS LIKELY TO > BE THREATENED.HE RECOMMENDED THAT I TALK TO THE OBSERVER. > > I MADE SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO THE OBSERVER TO TRY TO TALK TO MR GEORGE > THE MD.ALMOST EVERY DAY I LEFT A MESSAGE FOR MR GEORGE WHICH INCLUDED MY > PHONE NUMBER FOR HIM TO RETURN MY CALL.AFTER THREE OR FOUR DAYS OF > CALLING I WENT TO THE OBSERVER AND VIRTUALLY SPENT THE DAY WITH THE > STAFF CHATTING WHILST WAITING FOR MR GEORGE.ONE OF THE EDITORS AT THE > OBSERVER ASSURED ME THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTED AS SOON AS MR GEORGE WAS > IN.I WAS NEVER CONTACTED.I UNDERSTAND FROM SOMEONE IN THE OBSERVER THAT > MR GEORGE IS NOT TOO KEEN ON SIGNING A CONTRACT BECAUSE HE CANNOT > GUARANTEE THAT THE OBSERVER WILL BE PUBLISHED DAILY.I EXPLAINED THAT WE > DO NOT WANT THE OBSERVER OR MR GEORGE TO FEEL TOO OBLIGATED. > > I HAVE ALSO GOT IN TOUCH WITH PAP SAINE,CO-DIRECTOR OF THE POINT.HE > WELCOMED THE IDEA BUT SAID THAT THE ISSUE MUST BE DISCUSSED WITH THE > MD,DEYDA HYDARA WHO WAS OUT OF TOWN ATTENDING A CONFERENCE ON THE USE OF > THE INTERNET IN THE MEDIA.HE SHOULD BE BACK ANY TIME NOW.MR SAINE WILL > MAKE THE PROPOSAL AND I WILL BE CALLING EARLY NEXT WEEK TO FIND OUT. > > ALSO MR SAWO HAS INFORMED ME OF DISCUSSIONS HE HAS MADE WITH SWAEBOU > CONATEH WHO OWNS A NEWS AGENCY IN THE GAMBIA.HIS COMPANY RECENTLY > RECEIVED A CONSIGNEMENT OF OFFICE MATERIAL FROM A DONOR WHICH INCLUDES > COMPUTERS AND IS LIKELY TO BE ABLE TO SERVE OUR PURPOSE. > > HOWEVER OF ALL THESE OPTIONS I STILL BELIEVE THAT THE OBSERVER IS OUR > BEST CHOICE.I WILL RESUME MY EFFORTS TO GET TO MR GEORGE AND I AM STILL > CONFIDENT THAT BEFORE LONG A CONTRACT WILL BE NEGOTIATED. > > ON BEHALF OF THE LIST I DID EXPRESS SINCERE GRATITUDE TO MR SAWO OF > GAMTEL FOR HIS UNTIRING EFFORTS. > EBRIMA DRAMEH. > > ______________________________________________________ > Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 13:08:26 -0700 From: Liz STewart <liz@stanne.com> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Message-ID: <l03102800aff2dab27420@[38.216.19.3]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>Greetings to all list members: > >David Gamble, known to many as Smbujang, wants people to know that, though >he is getting old, he is still alive and well, and interested in The >GAmbia. Any messages to him, please send to me, Liz Stewart Fatti. > >By the way, soon I will have a new list address at which you can contact >either myself or Sambujang. > >Cheers > >Liz Stewart Fatti
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Momodou
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Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 13:18:37 -0700 From: Liz STewart <liz@stanne.com> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: International Organisation for Migration Message-ID: <l03102801aff2db589b42@[38.216.19.3]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>Kofi, I received the info below (about IOM) info through being a Gambia L >list memeber. Thought you might be interested even though you may not want >to use it. I get all kinds of info and discussions on this list...mostly >about the GAmbia, but often about other West African news. By the way, did >you know that Nigeria wants to adopt a policy where French is spoken in >Nigeria. All school children will be required to learn it, and they have >applied to the French government for help. I don't know if they are going >to totally replace English as the langa franca, but they are pretty >serious about it. They say they are too alienated from all their West >African French speaking neighbors and this is an attempt at some kind of >unity. Will Ghana follow suit and eventually Gambia, I wonder?
How are you and what's new with you. My boss has given me a new PowerMac at home! My email at home is again:
EStew68064@aol.com
Gambia -l, > >I hope this information will serve some of the members in the near future. >There is an organisation based in Switzerland called International >Organisation for Migration (IOM) whose main aim is to fight the brain drain >in the developing countries. > >They would pay for air fare and the shipment of personal effects for African >Professionals/Graduates in the developed World who want to return back to >their home land. > >They would also help those who intend on being self-employed to settle by >providing other types of assistance other than air and freight costs. > >They have offices in most capitals of developed countries. For those >interested the address is as follows: - > >International Organisation for Migration >17 routes des Morillons >P.O.Box 71 >CH - 1211 Geneva 19 >Switzerland >Tel: 41.22-717 9111 >Fax: 41.22-798 6150 >Email: makonen@geneva.iom.ch > >Mr. James H. H. Fleming >Operation Assistant- Africa >International Organisation for Migration >1750 K Street, N.W. >Suite 1110 >Washington, D.C. 2006 >TEL: (202) 862- 1826 >FAX: (202) 862- 1879 > >Those of you who want to come back or who have friends who are considering >going back home to settle, can contact this organisation for assistance. >Peace > >Tombong Saidy
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 23:19:06 +0200 From: momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Fwd: EU Commission Bows To PVC Industry Message-ID: <19970716222120.AAB9538@LOCALNAME>
/* Written 12:39 AM Jul 10, 1997 by nobody@xs2.greenpeace.org in gp.press */ /* ---------- "EU Commission Bows to PVC Industry" ---------- */
From: "the greenbase" <greenbas@gb.greenpeace.org> Subject: EU Commission Bows to Industry on Scrap Car Legislation
EU COMMISSION BOWS TO PVC INDUSTRY AND USA TRADE PRESSURE TO WEAKEN NEW ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION ON SCRAP CARS
Brussels, 9 July, 1997 -- Europeans will continue to be exposed to significant levels of dioxin caused by the disposal of scrap cars, despite proposed new legislation agreed by the EU Commission today, said Greenpeace.
The Commission dropped plans to include in the legislation a phase out of PVC in cars.
"The Commission has bowed to the USA and the PVC industry and weakened what were originally strong proposals," said Greenpeace Campaigner Axel Singhofen. "Once again, the EU has surrendered environmental and health protection to commercial and economic interests."
The aim of the new directive was to promote cleaner and more efficient material use to reduce the problems of eight to nine million car scrapped annually in Europe. The toxic and hormone disruptive properties of PVC over its life cycle are well known and cleaner and safer substitutes exist.
The original proposal, heralded by EU Commissioner Bjerregaard as "contributing to the protection of the environment", included a phase out of toxic materials such as PVC and four heavy metals by the year 2002, and a recycling quota of 80 per cent by 2002 and 90 per cent by 2015. During negotiations, the Commission itself recognised PVC as a "highly polluting material".
But the proposal was the subject of intense lobbying from the USA Department of State and the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers and in the final text, the PVC phase out was dropped altogether. In addition, toxic heavy metals can still be used provided they are entirely recycled, the recycling target for 2002 has been postponed to 2005 and the 2015 target lowered to 85 per cent.
Greenpeace said it would urge the EU Parliament to reinstate the original wording of the text to phase out PVC and heavy metals. However, it welcomed the Commission's statement that it will produce proposals to address environmental or health problems connected with PVC disposal in general.
The recycling of PVC contaminated steel and the burning of PVC waste in incinerators leads to significant dioxin generation. Dioxin is a hormone disruptor and human carcinogen. The use of PVC in cars also leads to leaching of phthalates, some of which are also known hormone disruptors.
ends
For further information and background materials contact: Axel Singhofen, Greenpeace International, tel. +32 2 280 1987 James Gillies, Greenpeace International, tel. +31 20 524 9548
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 19:09:14 -0400 From: Andy Lyons <alyons@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Looking for Karanta Kalley Message-ID: <2.2.16.19970716230914.2c6f9c62@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
The message below was posted on the Gambia Resource Page web site. If anyone can help this person locate his lost friend, please respond to him directly. Thanks.
=============================================================== Andy Lyons The Gambia Resource Page alyons@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu http://grove.ufl.edu/~alyons ===============================================================
>I enjoyed "surfing" your site. I'm trying to locate a Gambian >friend who attended the University of Hawaii in the early 70's. >I lost touch with him after he was at SUNY Binghampton campus, >although I heard he was at Syracuse University 4 years ago. If >any one could help me get in touch with him, I'd be grateful. >His name is Karanta Kalley, and his area of study was economics. >Keep up the good work with your site; the recipe for the peanut >butter stew brought back memories. > >Milton Okamoto >amerpac@ix.netcom.com >Ft. Washington, MD USA
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 16:18:18 -0700 (PDT) From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: Looking for Karanta Kalley Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.96.970716161447.26439B-100000@saul2.u.washington.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
I will be interested to also reconnect with Mr Karanta Kalley. He was my Latin teacher at St Augustine's High School in the late 60's. He was affectionately known as K.K. by his students. Thanks Tony
On Wed, 16 Jul 1997, Andy Lyons wrote:
> The message below was posted on the Gambia Resource Page > web site. If anyone can help this person locate his > lost friend, please respond to him directly. Thanks. > > =============================================================== > Andy Lyons The Gambia Resource Page > alyons@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu http://grove.ufl.edu/~alyons > =============================================================== > > >I enjoyed "surfing" your site. I'm trying to locate a Gambian > >friend who attended the University of Hawaii in the early 70's. > >I lost touch with him after he was at SUNY Binghampton campus, > >although I heard he was at Syracuse University 4 years ago. If > >any one could help me get in touch with him, I'd be grateful. > >His name is Karanta Kalley, and his area of study was economics. > >Keep up the good work with your site; the recipe for the peanut > >butter stew brought back memories. > > > >Milton Okamoto > >amerpac@ix.netcom.com > >Ft. Washington, MD USA > > >
------------------------------
Date: 16 Jul 97 19:52:35 EDT From: "Dr. S. G. Kamara" <73244.2701@CompuServe.COM> To: GAMBIA-L <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Africans must have voice in Econimic Policymaking (FWD) Message-ID: <970716235235_73244.2701_FHO40-1@CompuServe.COM>
Forwarded from Leonenet.
---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: A Discussion of Sierra Leonean Issues, INTERNET:LEONENET@MITVMA.MIT.EDU TO: "LEONENET", INTERNET:LEONENET@MITVMA.MIT.EDU DATE: 7/16/97 6:34 PM
RE: Africans must have voice in Econimic Policymaking (FWD)
AN OLD ARTICLE BUT WORTH READING. ***************************
Africans Must Have Voice in Economic Policymaking
June 11, 1997
Washington - The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and twenty-two religious and secular organizations have issued a statement calling on the leaders of industrialized nations to consult with Africans before making policy decisions which affect African nations.
The heads of government of the Group of Seven (G7) countries Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States will hold their annual economic summit in Denver, Colorado from June 20 to June 22. The event has become known as the Denver Summit of Eight in recognition of the inclusion of the Russian leader, Boris Yeltsin, in most of the summit deliberations.
The Summit participants are expected to consider measures to promote economic liberalization in Africa and to accelerate the integration of African nations into global economic networks.
The CBC and the organizational endorsers of the statement, "Africa and the Denver Economic Summit," insist that African representatives should be take part in reaching decisions that directly affect African nations. They fear that, otherwise, the Summit will repeat the errors of the 1884-84 Berlin Conference, at which the major European powers and the United States carved up the African continent, establishing colonial enclaves and imposing commercial regulations.
Africa and the Denver Economic Summit
We applaud the industrialized nations participating in the Denver Summit of Eight for the decision to pay particular attention to Africa. However, we greatly regret that the participants will have no opportunity to consult directly with African officials. If Africa is to be on the agenda, Africans should be at the table.
It is imperative that the Denver Summit of Eight not become a modern- day Berlin Conference at which powerful nations make decisions about Africa's future without consulting Africans themselves. Africans across the continent are initiating projects and debating policies consistently and constructively. We urge policy makers to recognize these developments and to establish a mechanism to facilitate systematic consultation with all those whose lives will be affected by the choices made. This requires that the summit participants initiate a dialogue that involves not only their counterparts in African governments, but also a broad cross-section of African public, private, and civil society sector representatives. We hope that such discussions would develop a comprehensive program of action for consideration at the 1998 economic summit.
We recognize that Africans do not speak with one voice, nor are all individuals and groups equally well-equipped to make their voices heard. Consequently, a particular effort must be made to consult with those who typically find themselves on the political and economic periphery: rural dwellers, women, workers, youth, the unemployed, elderly, and disabled. We fear that, in the absence of these perspectives, certain principles fundamental to policy development and assessment will be ignored. These include criteria that have already emerged from our own discussions with African community and civil society organizations and that resonate with our experiences in domestic struggles for social and economic justice:
1. The single most important question which must be asked about any Africa initiative, whether multilateral or bilateral, is: What impact will the action have on Africa's economically poor majorities and the most marginalized sectors of each society?
2. Programs and policies should be designed to produce explicit, tangible benefits for poor communities. It should never be assumed that benefits will "trickle down" from the economically or politically powerful to the marginalized.
3. Action must be undertaken simultaneously on a number of fronts and policies must interlock to form a coherent and comprehensive whole. Initiatives in one area must not be undermined by action (or inaction) in another.
4. All multilateral and bilateral initiatives should facilitate and model increased popular participation in decision making, greater accountability of officials, and improved transparency. Such "process" concerns should take precedence over a rigid insistence on any particular economic regime.
June 6, 1997
Signed:
Congressional Black Caucus, Africa Faith and Justice Network, Africa Fund, Africa Policy Information Center, African-American Institute, American Committee on Africa, American Friends Service Committee Washington Office, Bread for the World, Catholic Relief Services, Center of Concern, Church World Service / Lutheran World Relief, Constituency for Africa, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Justice and Peace Office, Mennonite Central Committee Missionaries of Africa, Oxfam America, Presbyterian Church (USA), Society of African Missions Office of Justice and Peace, TransAfrica, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Washington Office on Africa
Distributed by the Washington Office on Africa (WOA), a not-for- profit church, trade union and civil rights group supported organization that works with Congress on Africa-related legislation, 110 Maryland Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002. Phone: 202-546-7961. Fax: 202-546-1545. E-mail: woa@igc.apc.org.
Distributed via Africa News Online.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 08:45:40 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> To: "'gambia'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Black or white ? Message-ID: <9B236DF9AF96CF11A5C94044F3219031101093@DKDIFS02> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
How come that such kind of stories from "real life" is the most interesting news. Real life is fantastic. Thanks for putting this in Gambia-I. Asbj=F8rn Nordam
Black or white? Egyptian immigrant fights for black classification.=20
Cheers,
Madiba. -- Confucius say... If you want pretty nurse, you got to be patient.
************************************************************************=
*****
July 16, 1997 Web posted at: 4:22 a.m. EDT (0822 GMT)
>From Correspondent Joan MacFarlane
DETROIT (CNN) -- An Egyptian immigrant is suing the U.S. government because they've told him he's white when his entire life he's been black.
Mostafa Hefny was born in Egypt and has always been proud of his Egyptian culture and his African ancestry. But when Hefny immigrated to America, the U.S. government told him he was no longer a black man.
"I was not told by Immigration that I was white until I passed the exam for citizenship and then I was told I am now white," he explains.
Hefny initially laughed when told of his new racial classification, but he's no longer chuckling. He recently filed suit against the U.S. government to get his race classification changed back from white to black.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 09:11:04 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> To: "'gambia'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Africa must have a voice in economic policymaking Message-ID: <9B236DF9AF96CF11A5C94044F3219031101094@DKDIFS02> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
The statement from african organisations (presented from WOA by Dr. S.G.Kamara) is important right now. In Denmark the = "political-economical climate" on Africa-devellopment-issues is blowing in that direction, that "if we should really try to get the steam up on the african train, we must seriously involve the african states into our economically spheres". There was a danish economist, who some months back, just befor the continuing debate on the Lome-act, said that EU could just deside that Africa (south of Sahara) should be included in the EU-trade-market on the same conditions as the member-countries. That could give the countries a fair chance.There were other economists who said that could be a threat. But the dane said "no", because he argued, that the total GNP for the countries south of SAHARA was not much more then the one = for Spain. So it was just like opening our EU- market for a country-export like Spains. I=B4m not economist, so I don=B4t know anything on this. But to me it = was some kind of a point, if it=B4s true. Could "fair trade", opening our markets, be the chance for some african countries ?=20
Is it a trap ? Or must we belelive that is a way out and up ? New-colonialism is allways in my mind. But I feel that our politicians is really affected of the facts that most african states go backwards, and if we should do something for stabilisation of the world, we can = not live with a big continent continuing like that. I feel that many of our politicians really mean, what they are saying on this. And that is why = I hope that more african voices will raise on that topic. They must "strike while the iron is hot", which I think is is becomming more and more. Economics is not my field, so I don=B4t know if I have expressed myself in a way that my "message" is understood. I hope so. Asbj=F8rn Nordam
The Summit participants are expected to consider measures to promote economic liberalization in Africa and to accelerate the integration of African nations into global economic networks.
The CBC and the organizational endorsers of the statement, "Africa and the Denver Economic Summit," insist that African representatives should be take part in reaching decisions that directly affect African nations. They fear that, otherwise, the Summit will repeat the errors of the 1884-84 Berlin Conference, at which the major European powers and the United States carved up the African continent, establishing colonial enclaves and imposing commercial regulations.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 09:19:39 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> To: "'gambia'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: UNITED NATIONS: Donors Crying 'Wolf'? Message-ID: <9B236DF9AF96CF11A5C94044F3219031101095@DKDIFS02> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Comment on "donor crying wolf": Not that I for a great part can agree on what is said in the comment by different persons quoted. But it also need to be balanced. I=B4m born after 2.nd W-war, raised under the time called the "cold war", so I cannot exactly say what experiences my parents generations has on Europe. But the "vision" right now is NOT "a second wave of expansion" towards the east. Eastern europe is certainly Europe. (like west and east africa is certainly Africa). The vision for the politicians = working for this is: " a total and UN-DIVIDED EUROPE" It=B4s a "dream" many of them have. They believe it can prevent future wars in Europe. When it comes to the killings of 2-3 million persons in Rwandi it=B4s nothing compared to nearly 100 million people or more killed in Europe in wars from 1915- today. Specially Helmuth Kohl and former president Mitterand in France has (had) that dream of an undevided Europe from = AtlanticOcean to Ural mountains. To them it=B4s not a question "to bail out Russia", because in Europe we believe that Europe includes Russia. That vision they believe will cost money to bring more states up to a certain level economically, and they want to make it step by step. Money spend on a NATO expansion is not money spend on military only. NATO has also = civil aims. It was the americans, who sat the limit for expansion in Europe = to only three nations (because the taxpayers in US will have to contribute). And today we hear that EU has invited 6 nations to talks = on participation, among them 5 "eastern european" contries, of which Polen and Estonia has never "accepted" to belong to an "east-european" block. Specially Denmark are not glad that only 6 countries are invited. "We" say that all 12 applicants should be called for negociations. Asbj=F8rn Nordam > ---------- > From: momodou@inform-bbs.dk[SMTP:momodou@inform-bbs.dk] > Sent: 13. July 1997 16.19 > To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List > Subject: Fwd: UNITED NATIONS: Donors Crying 'Wolf'? >=20 > Copyright 1997 InterPress Service, all rights reserved. > Worldwide distribution via the APC networks. >=20 > *** 09-Jul-97 *** >=20 > Title: UNITED NATIONS: Donors Crying 'Wolf'? >=20 > By Thalif Deen >=20 > UNITED NATIONS, Jul 9 (IPS) - The argument by Western donors that > they must slash development aid budgets because their own > treasuries are running dry doesn't impresss U.N.General Assembly > President Razali Ismail of Malaysia. >=20 > He points out that while Western nations cry poverty at > international conferences, they are collectively planning to spend > more than 30 billion dollars to expand the North Atlantic Treaty > Organisation (NATO). >=20 > ''What do our discussions (on economic development) really > mean... in the context of a decision to expand NATO?,'' he asks. >=20 > The 30 billion dollars in proposed spending on a single > military organisation contrasts with the declining 50 billion > dollars in official development assistance (ODA) doled out > annually to the world's 132 developing nations. >=20 >=20
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Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 11:58:30 +0200 (MET DST) From: Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no> To: <Gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: HEALTH CARE Message-ID: <199707170958.LAA25049@online.no> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
HI!
Lamin wrote: "To take the discussion further, please enlighten us the cause and consequences of Hepatitis B. How is it different from Hepatitis A, why the talk about the fprmer"? Hepatitis B has no cure and can be deadly and with A when one recovers from it you are immune for life.
HEPATITIS B
Hepatitis B (formerly known as serum hapatitis) is a liver disease caused by a virus. Any one can be subjected to hepatitis B, but those at greater risk= are: - Drug abusers who share needles - Certain health care workers who have contact with infected blood - Homosexuals males, particularly those with mul=F8tiple partners - Hemodialysis patients - Certain househols contacts of an infected person - Infants born to mothers who are hepatitis B carriers
Hepattitis B can be found in the blood and to a lesser extent in saliva, semen and other blood fluids of an infected persion. It is spread by direct contact with infected body fluids, through blood and sexual contacts not casual contact.
- Symptoms: Urine may become darker colour, later it can turn out to be jaundice and faeces can be light in colour. Fatigue, Itching, Hives or rassh, poor appatite, fever, vomitting and occassionally joints pain, Some can have lesser symptoms and others notice nothing.
The symptoms may appear to six months after exposure, but usally within six months. the virus can be found in blood and other body fluid several weeks before symptoms appear and generally persist for several onths afterwards. Approximately 10 % of infected people may become long term carriers of the virus. Most people can be healthy without complications. If the inflamation is chronic it will result to in liver damage, liver cancer and chronoc infection.
There is no special medicines or antibiotics for treating Hepatitis B but there is a vaccine for preventive pirposes which have been available for several years. It is safe, effective and is recommended for people in high risk settings who have not already been infected and infants who are born to mothers carrying the virus. A special Hepatitis B immune globulin is also available for people who are exposed to the virus. In the event of exposure to hepatitis B, consult a doctor or thr local health department.
Hepatitis B carriers should carry standard hygiene practices to ensure that close contacts are not directly contaminated by his or her blood or other body fluids. Carriers must not share razors, toothbrushes or amy other object that may become contamonated with blood. In addition susceptible household members, particylarly sexual partners should be immunised with hepatitis B vaccine. It is important for carriers to inform their dentist and health care providers.
HEPATITIS A
HEPATITIS A (formerly known as infectious hepatitis) is a liver disease caused by a specific virus. Anyone can get hepatitis A but it occurs more frequently in children.
The hhepatitis A virus enters through the mouth, multiplies in the body and is passed in faeces. The virus can then be carried on an infected person=B4s hands and can be spread by direct contact, or consuming food or drink that has been handled by an infected person. In some cases it can be spread by consuming wter contaminated with improperly treated sewage.
The symptoms of hepatis A may include Fatigue, poor appetite, fever and vomitting. Urine may become of darker colour and jaundice may appear as in hepatitis B. This disease is really fatal and most people recover in few weeks without any complications. Infants and young ones tend to have very mild symptoms and are less likely to develope jaundice than are of older children and adults. Not everyone who is infected will have all the= symptoms.
The symptoms may appear two to six weeks after exposure, but usually within three to four weks. the contagious period appears and extends up to the time of jaundice. Once a person recovered from hepatitis A, he or she is immune for life and does not continue to carry the virus.
Generally bed rest is all that is needed. a vaccine is not currently available. The single most effective way to prevent spread is careful handwashing after using the toilet. Also infected people should not handle foods during the contagious period. Household members or others in close contact with an infected person should call a doctor or the health department to obtain a shot of immune globulin which immunises their chances of becoming ill.
As other STD=B4s can result in blindness, sterility her comes som tips
HINTS FOR SIGNS OF SUSPECTED STD=B4s: - Change of smell, colour or quantity of urethral discharge - Urethral discharge in men - Ailments and burns when urinating - Itching or pain on the sexual organs - Sores, blisters or warts located in or around the sexual organ - Changes in the mensturationcycle
ASBJ=D8RN, I relly do agree with the contents of your mail, liviving in Scandanavia nd working in the health sector i did digest your comments. The social and moral concept of health have benn reduced to from awakening of enquiry to multi dollar coceots by firms and scientists. I have visited kartong and spent three nights there with former classmates who natives of the town. Asbj=F8rn there is one as certain as death and that is the= cultural and political promise of health care to the town has has been neglected.
ANCHA, Thanks for your supportive respond on the subject I don=B4t want to= be political but from my own point of view i think the trends of the national health care developments has been on a stand still in the Gambia for a very long time. SerreKunda the largest city in the Gambia has no hospital since the early begining of independence up to date. The only thinh they have in SerreKunda is a health centre situated in the centre of the market place ith flies and other bacteria or virus carrying creatures. The health centre in SerreKunda which was actually a community centre for youths was to be the sister centre for youth centre in Banjul and community centres in BAkau and Brikama. The merchants/sellers coverd the fences with their mechandises you have to ask to find were the place is located . A person working from the health centre to the Banjul main road will reach the maind road befire the ambulance which just covers a distance of 5-600 metres.
The funds for building the frafenni hospital should have been used to upgrade the RVH and Bansang Hospital, and build a Clinic in Farafenni with a lon etrm development propects. The building has swallowed millions and is on the stand still. Funds need to to equip a hospital can build many hospitals. What really want is to spend funds on the martenity unity cause the children are the fute, vaccinations for for child to enable us to reduced the high mortality among children. The STD cklinic at the medical and health is just a room and parlour and the room for consultation and examinng is partly a store I WAS THERE! There are many cases blindness and sterility whhich are results of STD=B4s. As i said i don=B4t want to be political there i cannot mention were spendings should be reduced and pump into the health care= system.
Fungi and other skin diseases are becoming more and more common. Like Mycetoma, Psoriasis locally call "KULLI", Ringworms locally "GAEGAERR" Tinea Caapitis (scalp ringworm) locally "MARMARRAN". Candida/Candidiosis is also having a wild tendency. There are many skin diseases which some must be done in the sense of priority eg. skin ulcers.
Comments and opinions needed if it happens that i would like to be wrting about other comminicale diseases i might think it will be of interest to the members.
With Kind regards
Omar S. Saho, KONSULENT Ullevaal University Hospital Gr=F8ndland, oslo norway
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Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 14:55:33 +0200 (MET DST) From: Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no> To: <Gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: HELP NEEDED Message-ID: <199707171255.OAA24010@online.no> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi LAT.
This one question that i want to ask but any i sit besides the machine it escapes my mind. There two different signatures and that is LATIR and LATJOR. Is it the same person or is LAT - LATIR, LAT is LATJOR or is it three different persons and that means to say to say LAT, LATIR and LATJOR.
I do know the name of the Senegambian warrior was LATJOR NGONEH LATIR JOOF. I am not trying to verify the concerns identidy If this enquiry happens to be inconvinient.
With kind regards
Omar S. Saho
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Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 15:03:17 +0200 From: Badara Joof <Joof@winhlp.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: RE: HELP NEEDED Message-ID: <10ABECE967B3D01185FC0060B0514259068977@obelix.winhlp.no> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain
Hie Omar, if you are referring to the great warrior from Cayor (Thies) Senegal his name was Latdior Ngone Latir Jobe and not Joof.
And hope you don't mind that I rectify you.
> -----Original Message----- > From: Olafiaklinikken Olafia [SMTP:olafia@online.no] > Sent: 17. juli 1997 14:56 > To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List > Subject: HELP NEEDED > > Hi LAT. > > This one question that i want to ask but any i sit besides the machine > it > escapes my mind. There two different signatures and that is LATIR and > LATJOR. Is it the same person or is LAT - LATIR, LAT is LATJOR or is > it > three different persons and that means to say to say LAT, LATIR and > LATJOR. > > I do know the name of the Senegambian warrior was LATJOR NGONEH LATIR > JOOF. > I am not trying to verify the concerns identidy If this enquiry > happens to > be inconvinient. > > > > With kind regards > > > Omar S. Saho > > >
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Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 10:59:20 -0500 From: hghanim@nusacc.org To: TSaidy1050@aol.com, gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: RE: NEWS FROM THE GAMBIA Message-ID: <TFSIRCDA@nusacc.org>
Tombong , Thanks for the update Habib
-----Original Message----- From: TSaidy1050@aol.com Sent: Friday, July 11, 1997 6:42 PM To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: NEWS FROM THE GAMBIA
<< File: ENVELOPE.TXT >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------- --
Gambia-l,
I will try to be providing a weekly news summary on The Gambia. The news summary will be mainly based on what the Newspapers reported. I will try to be as regular in this matter as possible.
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL FORMED
The National Security Council and the Armed forces Council have been formed as required by the Constitution. The Members were sworn in at the State House yesterday, Thursday, July 10th, 1997.
National Security Council
1. Chairperson- H.E. Mrs Isatou Njie-Saidy, The Vice- President 2.Hon. Major Momodou Bojang (Rte) - Secretary of State for Interior 3. Lt. Colonel Momodou Badjie 4. Lt. Colonel Samsudeen Sarr 5. Mr. Famara I. Jammeh - Inspector General of Police 6. Mr. Samba Bah - Director General of the NIA
The Armed Forces Council
1. Chairperson- H.E. Mrs Isatou Njie-Saidy, The Vice- President 2. Colonel Baboucarr Jatta-Commander of Gambia National Army 3. Capt. Momodou Sarr - Marine Unit 4. Mr. Omar Abdoulie Njie Barrow- Permanent Secretary, Dept. of Defence
THE FIRST LADY TO LAUNCH FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN'S ADVANCEMENT
The First Lady has started a nation wide tour on Tuesday, July 8th, to meet with Gambian women in the provinces and to discuss how her foundation can help in empowering them. The organisation which is to be launched July 18, 1997, will be called Foundation for Women's Socio-Economic Advancement.
The details on the Foundation such as aims and objectives will be provided to list as soon as it is available.
NO REVOLT AT MILE 2 PRISONS, SAYS SOS BOJANG
There has been a rumour in town that there was a revolt by the prisoners at the Central Prisons, Mile 2, and that there were some fatalities. This was also reported by the press and in response to this The Secretary of State for Interior, Hon. Major Momodou Bojang (Rte), called a News Conference on Wednesday, July 9, 1997.
He denied every thing that was reported particularly the fact that one Omar Njie was killed. Omar Njie was well and alive, and has been transferred to Janjanburey Prisons. He challenged the reporters to go visit him to verify his statement.
The prison was raided following a tip-off about drug trafficking. Some drugs were found plus other contrabands, and as a result the Commissioner of Prisons, Modou Ceesay, was retired. In fact some prisoners were enjoying prisons as if they were living in a five star hotel, according the Hon. Bojang. He said some a prisoner had a cellular phone and was making international calls.
FOOTBALL NEWS Real de Banjul football Club won both the FA Cup and the League. They also won the Super Cub. They won Hawks 1-0 in the FA finals last week.
NEW MAYOR FOR BANJUL
Mr Samba Faal, the former Town Clerk, has been made the Mayor of Banjul, and he will man that post until the local government elections. The elections are expected to take place sometime in 19998.
NEW AMBASSADOR FOR THE US
Mr. Crispin Gray-Johnson has been appointed as the new Gambian Ambassador to the US, and he will be coming to Washington sometimes next Month.
Peace Tombong
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Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 17:33:53 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Asbj=F8rn_Nordam?= <asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk> To: "'gambia'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: From Health care to nation building Message-ID: <9B236DF9AF96CF11A5C94044F3219031101098@DKDIFS02> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Omar Saho, thank you for information. I=B4ll come back later, so only a short comment on this. There seems to be a lot to start with. But to me things go hand in hand. What does it help with a vaccination-programme, if we don=B4t make better sanitary in the towns. And what if we have = the vaccine, but no personel or clinics on wheels to bring it out to the villages? To me it mostly looks like a question on priority and WILL from the government and local authorities sides. No - it=B4s not so = easy as that - I know.=20 But that brings me to the question on lack of trained people (the same problem some of you mentionned in the schools) How can we motivate gambians to join civil service, serve the state and the people ? I = think it must be both 1) by given a salary so they can live, raise a family and 2) make the persons, who are serving, visible as people we look up to. By that I mean, that it demands sacrifices to go home after been educated abroad, or out in the village after living in the big town. If no-one will take that "social" attitude to the society, the state, the other gambians, we will still see the court-rooms plastered with = lawyers and judges from The Ghana, the hospitals and clinics with foreigners, the educational system from secondary schools up to GTTI and Gambia College also served by west-africans, and industrian and commerce gambians fightening with lebanese etc. (Excuse me for speaking in generel and not precise). So these people must be put in focus as important people of the society, be given status. Who of you has the "internal flame" or "burn" to work the "ass out of the trousers" to serve the state of the Gambia, the gambian people before thinking of how rich you can be ? Some of you living and having good jobs outside can earn a living, raise your family, secure your children, fullfill some of your ambitions and maybe even send money = back home for the extended family to live of. That=B4s OK. But many of you = are needed back home, like you can inspire the new generation to go out be educated, but come back again and serve.=20 What should make you proud to serve the Gambia (and not Senegambia, USA or Denmark) ? What is the "glue" that put all of you together to become gambians and form The Gambia ? Who are the "heros"/the "stars"/ the man or woman of the Gambias history or gambian daily life, who we all look up to, want to be like, do like, because they really did something = worth to remember and put The Gambia, or gambian on the map ? If you should present yourself to a foreigner as a gambian, what should be the one sentence ?=20 Maybe most of you disagree on this. Maybe you would say that I=B4m "an african", maybe "a black african" (the story about the egyptian = declared white and demanding to be declared black by the US-authorities). Or maybe a fulani, who has more in commen with fulanis in Senegal than to your mandinka-neigbour in Bakau ? The easy answer is, that you are a gambian because your are born in The Gambia,or by gambian parents in Denmark. (the topic braught up several times about dual citizenship, passports etc.)=20 I=B4m a bit provocative and challenging, I know. But all the = discussions on race, language, tribes, etnic groups, culture, politics has braught me to this point. Some of you has led me.=20 As I told you last week, this discussion started not more than 150 = years ago in Denmark, and it is still going on. What is "Denmark" as national state, what is "danish", who are we as danes (theoretically we have got new origins every time new therories on race/tribes/migrations come = up), what can be said is danish language (even we know it=B4s origin and the influence under thousands of years) and danish culture (if there is = one) ?, and what is worth to preserve and how can we preserve that heritage in a world, where we also want to act positively towards, be inspired = of other people, nations, trying to better living conditions for all. = Being a part of a region (Scandinavia, Baltic Sea, Europe, etc) but also part of "the global village". I look forward for your contributions on this. What is Gambia, a gambian, (is the presents boarders the final ones, how does the state differ from Mali, Kenya .., and you from a Nigerian, Tanzanian). What = is gambian culture and language, and how will it be possible to motivate people in the nearest future to act/serve the Gambia and the gambians ? =
"If you will enlighten/turn on other persons you must "burn" yourself", I believe. With many kind regards to all of you from Asbj=F8rn Nordam,=20 who is leaving office for a long week-end.
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Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 10:18:38 -0700 From: Liz STewart <liz@stanne.com> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: new email address Message-ID: <l03102801aff403f94e0e@[38.216.19.3]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Dear Camara Momodou:
I need to change my email address from liz@stanne.com to:
EStew68064@aol.com Can you please help?
Thanks Liz Stewart Fatti
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Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 10:21:55 PDT From: "Sirra Ndow" <sirra@hotmail.com> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Unsubcribe Message-ID: <199707171721.KAA29475@f3.hotmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain
Hi,
Could you temporarily take my address from you mailing list?
Thanks.
Sirra Ndow
=============================================================== sirra@hotmail.com ================================================================
______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 21:49:02 +0200 From: momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: New member Message-ID: <19970717205131.AAB16120@LOCALNAME>
Gambia-l, Mr.Jamal Miknas, head of information technology dept. of Standard Chartered Bank (Gambia) has been added to the list. Welcome to the Gambia-l, we look forward to your contributions.
Please send a brief introduction to: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Momodou Camara ******************************************************* http://home3.inet.tele.dk/mcamara
**"Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible"***
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Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 19:27:59 +0200 From: "Momodou S Sidibeh" <momodou.sidibeh@stockholm.mail.telia.com> To: <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: SV: (PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <199707172328.BAA16181@d1o2.telia.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Toma, I could not help laughing at my friend's date of dispatch (part 5) when I too noticed it: January 4, 1980!!! Momodou.
---------- > Från: M. Njie <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> > Till: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > Ämne: RE: (PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA > Datum: den 16 juli 1997 13:18 > > Momodou, > > I was referring to the date. It was meant to be a joke > really. > > Regards, > MomodouOn Tue, 15 Jul 1997 momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk wrote: > > > Mr. Njie, > > Can you please enlighten us on what you mean by "Bass being 17 > > years behind the rest of us"? > > > > Best regards! > > > > Momodou Camara > > > > On 15 Jul 97 at 15:42, M. Njie wrote: > > > > > Many thanks for the references. I am already familiar > > > with > > > some of them. By the way, I notice that Bass is 17 years > > > behind the rest of us! > > > > > > On Fri, 4 Jan 1980, BASSIROU > > > DODOU DRAMMEH wrote: > > > > > > > Mr.Njie! > > > > Thanks for your response! My sources are as follows:- > > > > 1) The Oxford Anthology of English Literature.(Vol.1) > > > > 2) The Language Files (Ohio State University) > > > > 3) Compton's New Century Encyclopedia > > > > 4) Encarta 96 Encyclopedia > > > > 5) The New Grolier Encyclopedia > > > > 6) The Development of Islam in West Africa ( Mervyn Hesket) > > > > 7) The Africans ( David Lamb) > > > > 8) The Destuction Of Black Civilisation (Chancellor Williams) > > > > 9) The African Origin Of Civilization (Prof. Chiekh Anta Diop) > > > > 10) Precolonial Black Africa ( Prof. Chieckh Anta Diop) > > > > 11) Language Thought and Action (S.I.Hayakawa) > > > > > > > > Regards Bassss!! > > > > ---------- > > > > From: M. Njie[SMTP:mn015@students.stir.ac.uk] > > > > Sent: 09/NEiU CaCea/1418 05:45 a > > > > To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List > > > > Subject: Re:(PART5) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA > > > > > > > > It would really be appreciated if at the end of every > > > > instalment, Bass provides, if possible, a list of his sources. > > > > Of course, there will be no need for this if he is not
> > > > consulting any. > > > > > > > > Regards, > > > > Momodou > > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, 4 Jan 1980, BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ***THE BLACK TOWER OF BABEL*** > > > > > > > > > > We have already talked about how two or more languages that are genetically > > > > > related could be separated from each other and eventually end up not being > > > > > able to talk to each other without the help of a translator;but today we > > > > > will go one step further by saying that sometimes these related languages > > > > > would even have different names in different places,a fact that could make > > > > > it even more difficult,if not impossible,for most people to recognize > > > > > them.We can cite here French,Italian,Portuguese and Spanish as our > > > > > example.All of these three languages come from one language,namely,Latin; > > > > > but each one of them has its separate name and identiy coupled with the > > > > > fact that none of them could understand each other without a > > > > > translator.This is precisely what has happened to most of the languages on > > > > > our continent.And we will show that to be the case in just a moment.But > > > > > before that we want to clarify one crucial point.A language is just like a > > > > > town or city: whatever the degree or magnitude of change that it has gone > > > > > through may be, it will always retain some remnants of its past, and those > > > > > bits and pieces that survive change are what the historians use to trace > > > > > back its history and relationship with other languages.One such remnant in > > > > > Africa's black languages is the Phonology (sound system).It has been > > > > > observed that almost all the languages that are scattered all over our > > > > > continent from Chad to the Cape have sounds in them which allow an (m) or > > > > > an (n) to be directly followed by a consonant, eg : (NG,NK,ND,MP,NK ??.) so > > > > > that you can find words in them such as > > > > > gaMBia,ugaNDa,taNZania,ziMBabwe,buruNDi,rwaNDa etc?. The other well known > > > > > feature of African languages is the manner in which sentences are
> > > > > constructed.In English, for instance, a normal sentence is constructed by > > > > > first mentioning the Subject then the Verb and then the Object like in > > > > > (John -had-his lunch) but in Mandinka, the Subject is followed not by the > > > > > Verb but by the Object and the Verb comes at the end,so that the > > > > > grammatical translation of this same English sentence into Mandinka would > > > > > be something like: (John - his lunch - had).And this rule applies to most > > > > > of Africa's black languages. > > > > > > > > > > Now we want to look at the Languages themselves.The Mother of most of the > > > > > languages we speak is called: The Niger-Congo Linguistic Family.It had > > > > > three daughters or branches, and her first daughter to be separated from > > > > > her was MANDE some six thousand years ago, just few centuries after the > > > > > First Great Migrations precipitated by the drying of the Sahara.The MANDE > > > > > branch has since then assumed different names in different parts of the > > > > > continent, but mainly in West Africa ,and they are: Mandinka, Malinka, > > > > > Maninka, Kasonka, Bambara, Dyula, Sussou, Sonninke,Mende(Sierra Leone) and > > > > > Kpelle (Liberia), and they have Speech Communities (people who speak them) > > > > > in Gambia,Senegal,Mali,Liberia,Sierra Leone,Ivory Coast,Western > > > > > Ghana,Burkina Faso,Benin and Parts of Nigeria. > > > > > The Second daugther or branch is called MEL and it includes the following > > > > > languages: Temne(Sierra Leone),Wollof (Senegambia),Fulla (Senegambia and > > > > > Several West African Countries),Kru (Liberia,Ivory Coast),Gur > > > > > (Burkina,Mali,Ivory Coast and Benin), Kwa and that has a dialect in Ivory > > > > > Coast called Baule and a number of dialects in Ghana called > > > > > Fante,Twi,Ashanti and Ewe.The same Kwa has another dialect in Benin called > > > > > Fon.And further,the same Kwa has now become three separate languages in > > > > > Nigeria,namely, Yoruba,Igbo and Efik. > > > > > The Third and the last daughter of the Niger-Congo Linguistic Family is > > > > > called The ADAMAWA Branch, and it includes the following languages: Zande > > > > > (Northern Zaire,parts of sudan and central Africa); Sango (Zaire,Central > > > > > Africa and Chad); Bantu which in turn is the Mother of most of the > > > > > Languages in the Southern African Region and they are: Kikongo and Lingala > > > > > (Zaire, both of them do understand each other); Isizulu and Isixhosa (South > > > > > Africa, Mutually intelligible); Sesotho, Sepedi and Setswana > > > > > (Lesotho,Botswana and S.Africa); Chishona (Zimbabwe); Chibemba (Zambia and > > > > > Zaire); Chinyanja (Malawi); ****swa (Mozambique); KinyaRwanda and Kirundi > > > > > (Burundi and Rwandi, mutually intelligible); Luganda (Uganda); Gikikuyu > > > > > (Kenya); Kiswahili (Kenya,Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire). > > > > > > > > > > So,we will conclude this installment by saying that the frightening number > > > > > of 1800 languges of black Africa could be condensed into twenty or so > > > > > languages we have just cited, which is not very much more than the total > > > > > number of European languages at present. Such a condensation is possible > > > > > because millions and millions of black Africans speak two or more
> > > > > languages, esp. in the Continents major urban centres.The East African > > > > > Region is a case in point. Between35 to 40 million people of this Region > > > > > use Swahili as their LINGUA FRANCA (the Language used to talk to people of > > > > > other Language groups) and in the West African Region, a slightly less than > > > > > that number of people use Hausa to talk to each other. As for the Southern > > > > > African Region, we have seen that in South Africa, Most people speak either > > > > > Xhosa or Zulu both of which are mutually intelligible; and almost exactly > > > > > the same thing applies to the two main Languages of the two Congos,namely, > > > > > Kikongo and Lingala.So, in retrospect, we can say that even though Mother > > > > > Africa's capacity to communicate with herself is far from ideal, it is > > > > > nonetheless a gross distortion to label it as "Linguistically confused", > > > > > but what else could we expect from those who shamelessly earn their living > > > > > by savaging our continent and her children?! In our NEXT INSTALLMENT, we > > > > > will explore the Ethnic and Language situation in , where else, "For the > > > > > Gambia , Our homeland" And until then ???.. > > > > > Regards Basss!! > > > > >
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 09:39:42 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'gambia-l@u.washington.edu'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <01BC935E.875C18E0@diao.qatar.net.qa> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="---- =_NextPart_000_01BC935E.875C18E0"
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Mr.Njie!! Thanks for your input.This is such a huge and complicated topic for us = Gambians that it can't be left to the analysis of one person.So,thanks = for your insightful observations.
And keep up the good work down there!
Regards Bassss!
---------- From: M. Njie[SMTP:mn015@students.stir.ac.uk] Sent: 11/=D1=C8=ED=DA =C7=E1=C7=E6=E1/1418 06:08 =E3 To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List Subject: Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA
I think Bass has done a good job of tackling such an =20 important topic. His approach, inevtiably, has aroused some =20 controversy, and some members have put forward important =20 observations.
I just want to say that I find his generalisations rather =20 uncomfortable. I believe in individual differences, although I =20 can understand why certain generalisations have been made.
What is said about the Fula could easily be said about the = =20 Serahule. After all, their business acumen enriched old Ghana. =20 What is said about the Wolof could easily apply to the Akus, =
who are mainly Christian. What is said about the Mandinka = could =20 easily apply to the Jola. For many years they resisted Foday =20 Kabba and ensured that Foni remained a Jola state. ( I think =20 in this case one can argue that the Jola are resilient. But =20 I also think that in the case of the Jola, they had =20 resilience forced on them. Otherwise, they would happily have =20 continued with their farming, fishing and bee-keeping). And what =
is said about the Serere could easily apply to the Jola. It =20 was partly the desire to maintain their customs and traditions =
that made it difficult for the Jola to be integrated into =20 mainstream Gambian society ( or for mainstream Gambian society to = =20 be integrated into them), especially in terms of religion and =20 education. In fact, there is a school of thought which =20 maintains that the Jola and Serere are related.
There are, of course, other contentious issues, but they =20 might require a separate discussion. As far as this one is =20 concerned, I am prepared to 'take the moral...take the fruit =20 and let the chaff go'.
Regards, Momodou
On Fri, 4 Jan 1980, BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH wrote:
> **** Language And Ethnicity In Gambia*** >=20 > Gambia, like all other African countries, is still a highly tribalized =
> state.Of course,there is nothing wrong with having people in any given =
> country belonging to various language groups,because almost every = country=20 > on this planet has that; but there is something seriously wrong with=20 > states that in this day and age would sometimes have to compete with = the=20 > TRIBE for the loyality of the individuals that belong to it.That=20 > competition would normally stem from the fact that the National = Identity=20 > has not matured to the point that there is a uniformity of objectives=20 > between those of the state and the various Ethnic groups, and in such=20 > states whenever a conflict of interest surfaces between the state and = the=20 > Tribe, most people instinctively give their support to their = respective=20 > groups. >=20 > One can argue that because Gambia has so far not degenerated into the = kind=20 > of fratricidal orgy that we have witnessed elsewhere on the Continent = that=20 > maybe its National Identity has solidified enough to the point that it =
> cannot disintegrate under the pressure of conflicting ethnic = interests.But=20 > the chilling lessons of Somalia would render such notions naive at = best,=20 > and, at worst, dangerously complacent.Because Somalia, as opposed to = the=20 > Gambia, had already been a detribalized state by the time it colapsed = into=20 > statelessness and was, moereover, the model of an ethnically = homogenious=20 > country, esp. for the so-called Africa Experts.Another argument = against=20 > such complacence is that since we have started to govern ourselves in = the=20 > early sixties,the country has never been tested sufficiently enough=20 > internally for us to know how solid the so-called Gambian National = Identity=20 > is.But the fact the that many of her sisters have failed such tests in = the=20 > recent past should be a reminder that it is not impossible that she = also=20 > would fail if similar circumstances arise.For that reason and much = more,it=20 > is incumbent upon all of us, Gambians and friends of the Gambia alike, = to=20 > studiously and rationally debate this issue so as to be able to come = up=20 > with creative strategies that would help not only to accelerate the=20 > detribalization process but also to clearly define what Gambian = National=20 > Identity is and how its various components could be translated into = the=20 > Curriculum so that it could be an integral part of the socialisation=20 > process of the young and coming generations. >=20 > Yes,it may be true that Gambia has never had any ethnic conflicts in = the=20 > strict sense of the word, but each and everyone of us has heard or=20 > witnessed instances whereby some disturbing ethnic noises were made = that,=20 > had it not been for the good sense of some ,could have easily = degenerated=20 > into the kinds of unspeakable acts that we have seen in Somalia, = Liberia,=20 > Sierra Leone etc. >=20 > The process of Detribalization naturally takes place in the major = urban=20 > centers and in many of the schools that are located in non-tribal=20 > territories ,but such processes,as in the Gambia,( with the exception = of=20 > course of marriage across ethnic groups) are neither watertight nor=20 > irreversible.Not only that,it is also a tortuously slow process when = left=20 > to take place naturally on its own without the intervention of the=20 > state.Detribalization, by the way, is any experience that helps the=20 > individual in a TRIbalized society to UNLEARN the instinctive response =
> peculiar to his/her group that she internalised during her formative = years.=20 > Such a process when most successful enables the individual to have = the=20 > capacity to evaluate societal issues solely on the basis of their = merits=20 > without that being influenced in anyway by the parochial concerns of = the=20 > ethnic group that she comes from.Such a person has become culturally = broad=20 > minded and sophisticated enough to realize that many of the = assumptions=20 > relating to the inherent goodness of her ethnic group at the expense = of all=20 > the other groupings are nothing but unfounded myths.This person knows = that=20 > each ethnic grouping in the Gambia has at least one quality that must = be a=20 > component of the Gambian national Identity or else such an Identity = would=20 > be seriously impaired. That person must know that the AKUS are,for=20 > instance, the single ethnic group in the Gambia that is almost totally =
> literate and that they have very polished and civilised manners = towards=20 > themselves and towrds others.Those are qualities that all of us should = kill=20 > to get. That person must know also that the JOLAS have a devastating=20 > capacity for decipline and hardwork and are not like many of us who = enjoy=20 > long hours of idling under the shade of a tree. Such a quality is = something=20 > all of us must kill to add to ours.That person must know that the = Serrers=20 > are the jealous custodians and guardians of our African culture and=20 > heritage in its pristine state after many of us have diluted ours with = the=20 > foreign ones almost beyond recognition. That also should be a quality = most=20 > of us should kill to have. That person must know that the Wollofs are=20 > profoundly secular,broadminded and liberal people their Islamic = religion=20 > notwithstanding. That also is a quality worth cutting our arms and = legs=20 > just to get. That person must know also that the Fullas commercial=20 > intelligence is a quality that a future prosperous Gambia cannot do=20 > without. That person must know further that the royalty and = fearlessness of=20 > the mandinkas with their instinctive refusal to be coerced is a = quality=20 > that all of us must have if our democratic experiment is to succeed. = And=20 > finally, that person must know that the incredible capacity of the=20 > Sarrahullehs to endure and deny the self during wealth creation would = be an=20 > indispensible ingredient in any future Gambian National Identity. > =20 > = =20 > = =20 > =09 > So,we will now conclude by saying that for the Gambia to be able to = be a=20 > coherent and harmonious state with a set of state with unified = national=20 > objectives,it must first of all have to work on a National Identy that =
> incoporates all the good qualities of the various ethnic groupings = and=20 > must figure out the pedagogical means to inculcate those values into = the=20 > young.It must also work on increasing the number of roads and=20 > transportations between the various ethnic territories that normally = don't=20 > interact that much and must encourage and even help inter-ethnic=20 > marriages.The leadership must have the foresight and vision to embody = the=20 > hopes,dreams and fears of the vast majority of the people in the=20 > geographical entity called Gambia.And when that happens all of us = could=20 > sing with the Gambia Police and say: > "That all may live in unity,Freedom and peace each day.Let justice = guide=20 > our actions,Twords the common good,and join our diverse peoples,to = prove=20 > man's brotherhood.We pledge our firm allegiance,our promise we renew. = Keep=20 > us great God of Nations,To the Gambia ever TRUE." >=20 >=20 > REGARDS Basss=09
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 11:00:53 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'gambia-l@u.washington.edu'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: Black or white ? Message-ID: <01BC9375.E9A9B040@diao.qatar.net.qa> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="---- =_NextPart_000_01BC9375.E9A9B040"
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America's OBSESSION with race and skin colour defies everything reason = stands for.
Regards Basss.
---------- From: Asbj=F8rn Nordam[SMTP:asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk] Sent: 12/=D1=C8=ED=DA =C7=E1=C7=E6=E1/1418 09:45 =D5 To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List Subject: Black or white ?
How come that such kind of stories from "real life" is the most interesting news. Real life is fantastic. Thanks for putting this in Gambia-I. Asbj=F8rn Nordam
Black or white? Egyptian immigrant fights for black classification.=20
Cheers,
Madiba. -- Confucius say... If you want pretty nurse, you got to be patient.
************************************************************************ *****
July 16, 1997 Web posted at: 4:22 a.m. EDT (0822 GMT)
>From Correspondent Joan MacFarlane
DETROIT (CNN) -- An Egyptian immigrant is suing the U.S. government because they've told him he's white when his entire life he's been black.
Mostafa Hefny was born in Egypt and has always been proud of his Egyptian culture and his African ancestry. But when Hefny immigrated to America, the U.S. government told him he was no longer a black man.
"I was not told by Immigration that I was white until I passed the exam for citizenship and then I was told I am now white," he explains.
Hefny initially laughed when told of his new racial classification, but he's no longer chuckling. He recently filed suit against the U.S. government to get his race classification changed back from white to black.
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 11:29:18 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'gambia-l@u.washington.edu'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: HEALTH CARE Message-ID: <01BC9375.EBEBFF20@diao.qatar.net.qa> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="---- =_NextPart_000_01BC9375.EBEBFF20"
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Thanks Doc. for the Med.update in the Gambia.Ancha was absolutely right; = discussion as to what should or should not be in terms of Gambia's = health priorities can come only after the List has had enough factual = information from the ground.So, thanks a ton for info.
Regards Basss!
---------- From: Olafiaklinikken Olafia[SMTP:olafia@online.no] Sent: 12/=D1=C8=ED=DA =C7=E1=C7=E6=E1/1418 02:58 =E3 To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List Subject: HEALTH CARE
HI!
Lamin wrote: "To take the discussion further, please enlighten us the = cause and consequences of Hepatitis B. How is it different from Hepatitis A, = why the talk about the fprmer"? Hepatitis B has no cure and can be deadly = and with A when one recovers from it you are immune for life.
HEPATITIS B
Hepatitis B (formerly known as serum hapatitis) is a liver disease = caused by a virus. Any one can be subjected to hepatitis B, but those at greater = risk are: - Drug abusers who share needles - Certain health care workers who have contact with infected blood - Homosexuals males, particularly those with mul=F8tiple partners - Hemodialysis patients - Certain househols contacts of an infected person - Infants born to mothers who are hepatitis B carriers
Hepattitis B can be found in the blood and to a lesser extent in saliva, semen and other blood fluids of an infected persion. It is spread by = direct contact with infected body fluids, through blood and sexual contacts not casual contact.
- Symptoms: Urine may become darker colour, later it can turn out to be jaundice and faeces can be light in colour. Fatigue, Itching, Hives or rassh, poor appatite, fever, vomitting and occassionally joints pain, = Some can have lesser symptoms and others notice nothing.
The symptoms may appear to six months after exposure, but usally within = six months. the virus can be found in blood and other body fluid several = weeks before symptoms appear and generally persist for several onths = afterwards. Approximately 10 % of infected people may become long term carriers of = the virus. Most people can be healthy without complications. If the = inflamation is chronic it will result to in liver damage, liver cancer and chronoc infection.
There is no special medicines or antibiotics for treating Hepatitis B = but there is a vaccine for preventive pirposes which have been available for several years. It is safe, effective and is recommended for people in = high risk settings who have not already been infected and infants who are = born to mothers carrying the virus. A special Hepatitis B immune globulin is = also available for people who are exposed to the virus. In the event of = exposure to hepatitis B, consult a doctor or thr local health department.
Hepatitis B carriers should carry standard hygiene practices to ensure = that close contacts are not directly contaminated by his or her blood or = other body fluids. Carriers must not share razors, toothbrushes or amy other object that may become contamonated with blood. In addition susceptible household members, particylarly sexual partners should be immunised with hepatitis B vaccine. It is important for carriers to inform their = dentist and health care providers.
HEPATITIS A
HEPATITIS A (formerly known as infectious hepatitis) is a liver disease caused by a specific virus. Anyone can get hepatitis A but it occurs = more frequently in children.
The hhepatitis A virus enters through the mouth, multiplies in the body = and is passed in faeces. The virus can then be carried on an infected = person=B4s hands and can be spread by direct contact, or consuming food or drink = that has been handled by an infected person. In some cases it can be spread = by consuming wter contaminated with improperly treated sewage.
The symptoms of hepatis A may include Fatigue, poor appetite, fever and vomitting. Urine may become of darker colour and jaundice may appear as = in hepatitis B. This disease is really fatal and most people recover in few weeks without any complications. Infants and young ones tend to have = very mild symptoms and are less likely to develope jaundice than are of older children and adults. Not everyone who is infected will have all the = symptoms.
The symptoms may appear two to six weeks after exposure, but usually = within three to four weks. the contagious period appears and extends up to the = time of jaundice. Once a person recovered from hepatitis A, he or she is = immune for life and does not continue to carry the virus.
Generally bed rest is all that is needed. a vaccine is not currently available. The single most effective way to prevent spread is careful handwashing after using the toilet. Also infected people should not = handle foods during the contagious period. Household members or others in close contact with an infected person should call a doctor or the health department to obtain a shot of immune globulin which immunises their = chances of becoming ill.
As other STD=B4s can result in blindness, sterility her comes som tips
HINTS FOR SIGNS OF SUSPECTED STD=B4s: - Change of smell, colour or quantity of urethral discharge - Urethral discharge in men - Ailments and burns when urinating - Itching or pain on the sexual organs - Sores, blisters or warts located in or around the sexual organ - Changes in the mensturationcycle
ASBJ=D8RN, I relly do agree with the contents of your mail, liviving in Scandanavia nd working in the health sector i did digest your comments. = The social and moral concept of health have benn reduced to from awakening = of enquiry to multi dollar coceots by firms and scientists. I have visited kartong and spent three nights there with former classmates who natives = of the town. Asbj=F8rn there is one as certain as death and that is the = cultural and political promise of health care to the town has has been neglected.
ANCHA, Thanks for your supportive respond on the subject I don=B4t want = to be political but from my own point of view i think the trends of the = national health care developments has been on a stand still in the Gambia for a = very long time. SerreKunda the largest city in the Gambia has no hospital = since the early begining of independence up to date. The only thinh they have = in SerreKunda is a health centre situated in the centre of the market place = ith flies and other bacteria or virus carrying creatures. The health centre = in SerreKunda which was actually a community centre for youths was to be = the sister centre for youth centre in Banjul and community centres in BAkau = and Brikama. The merchants/sellers coverd the fences with their mechandises = you have to ask to find were the place is located . A person working from = the health centre to the Banjul main road will reach the maind road befire = the ambulance which just covers a distance of 5-600 metres.
The funds for building the frafenni hospital should have been used to upgrade the RVH and Bansang Hospital, and build a Clinic in Farafenni = with a lon etrm development propects. The building has swallowed millions and = is on the stand still. Funds need to to equip a hospital can build many = hospitals. What really want is to spend funds on the martenity unity cause the = children are the fute, vaccinations for for child to enable us to reduced the = high mortality among children. The STD cklinic at the medical and health is = just a room and parlour and the room for consultation and examinng is partly = a store I WAS THERE! There are many cases blindness and sterility whhich = are results of STD=B4s. As i said i don=B4t want to be political there i = cannot mention were spendings should be reduced and pump into the health care = system.
Fungi and other skin diseases are becoming more and more common. Like Mycetoma, Psoriasis locally call "KULLI", Ringworms locally "GAEGAERR" = Tinea Caapitis (scalp ringworm) locally "MARMARRAN". Candida/Candidiosis is = also having a wild tendency. There are many skin diseases which some must be = done in the sense of priority eg. skin ulcers.
Comments and opinions needed if it happens that i would like to be = wrting about other comminicale diseases i might think it will be of interest to = the members.
With Kind regards
Omar S. Saho, KONSULENT Ullevaal University Hospital Gr=F8ndland, oslo norway
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 12:41:05 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'gambia-l@u.washington.edu'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: From Health care to nation building Message-ID: <01BC937B.64EAC820@diad.qatar.net.qa> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="---- =_NextPart_000_01BC937B.64F26940"
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Thanks for the "provocations", and keep up the Good Work down there!
Regards Basss!
---------- From: Asbj=F8rn Nordam[SMTP:asbjorn.nordam@dif.dk] Sent: 12/=D1=C8=ED=DA =C7=E1=C7=E6=E1/1418 06:33 =E3 To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List Subject: From Health care to nation building
Omar Saho, thank you for information. I=B4ll come back later, so only a short comment on this. There seems to be a lot to start with. But to me things go hand in hand. What does it help with a vaccination-programme, if we don=B4t make better sanitary in the towns. And what if we have the vaccine, but no personel or clinics on wheels to bring it out to the villages? To me it mostly looks like a question on priority and WILL from the government and local authorities sides. No - it=B4s not so easy as that - I know.=20 But that brings me to the question on lack of trained people (the same problem some of you mentionned in the schools) How can we motivate gambians to join civil service, serve the state and the people ? I think it must be both 1) by given a salary so they can live, raise a family and 2) make the persons, who are serving, visible as people we look up to. By that I mean, that it demands sacrifices to go home after been educated abroad, or out in the village after living in the big town. If no-one will take that "social" attitude to the society, the state, the other gambians, we will still see the court-rooms plastered with lawyers and judges from The Ghana, the hospitals and clinics with foreigners, the educational system from secondary schools up to GTTI and Gambia College also served by west-africans, and industrian and commerce gambians fightening with lebanese etc. (Excuse me for speaking in generel and not precise). So these people must be put in focus as important people of the society, be given status. Who of you has the "internal flame" or "burn" to work the "ass out of the trousers" to serve the state of the Gambia, the gambian people before thinking of how rich you can be ? Some of you living and having good jobs outside can earn a living, raise your family, secure your children, fullfill some of your ambitions and maybe even send money back home for the extended family to live of. That=B4s OK. But many of you = are needed back home, like you can inspire the new generation to go out be educated, but come back again and serve.=20 What should make you proud to serve the Gambia (and not Senegambia, USA or Denmark) ? What is the "glue" that put all of you together to become gambians and form The Gambia ? Who are the "heros"/the "stars"/ the man or woman of the Gambias history or gambian daily life, who we all look up to, want to be like, do like, because they really did something worth to remember and put The Gambia, or gambian on the map ? If you should present yourself to a foreigner as a gambian, what should be the one sentence ?=20 Maybe most of you disagree on this. Maybe you would say that I=B4m "an african", maybe "a black african" (the story about the egyptian declared white and demanding to be declared black by the US-authorities). Or maybe a fulani, who has more in commen with fulanis in Senegal than to your mandinka-neigbour in Bakau ? The easy answer is, that you are a gambian because your are born in The Gambia,or by gambian parents in Denmark. (the topic braught up several times about dual citizenship, passports etc.)=20 I=B4m a bit provocative and challenging, I know. But all the discussions on race, language, tribes, etnic groups, culture, politics has braught me to this point. Some of you has led me.=20 As I told you last week, this discussion started not more than 150 years ago in Denmark, and it is still going on. What is "Denmark" as national state, what is "danish", who are we as danes (theoretically we have got new origins every time new therories on race/tribes/migrations come up), what can be said is danish language (even we know it=B4s origin and the influence under thousands of years) and danish culture (if there is one) ?, and what is worth to preserve and how can we preserve that heritage in a world, where we also want to act positively towards, be inspired of other people, nations, trying to better living conditions for all. Being a part of a region (Scandinavia, Baltic Sea, Europe, etc) but also part of "the global village". I look forward for your contributions on this. What is Gambia, a gambian, (is the presents boarders the final ones, how does the state differ from Mali, Kenya .., and you from a Nigerian, Tanzanian). What is gambian culture and language, and how will it be possible to motivate people in the nearest future to act/serve the Gambia and the gambians ?=20 "If you will enlighten/turn on other persons you must "burn" yourself", I believe. With many kind regards to all of you from Asbj=F8rn Nordam,=20 who is leaving office for a long week-end.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 12:45:52 +0200 (MET DST) From: Olafiaklinikken Olafia <olafia@online.no> To: <Gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE- FROM HEALTH TO NATION BUILDING Message-ID: <199707181045.MAA27208@online.no> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Asbj=F8rn, Thanks for you article "FROM HEALTH CARE TO NATION BUILDING" I do agree that there seems to be lot start with. Your questionof " what does it help with a vaccination programme if we don=B4t make better sanitary in= towns, havinig vaccines but no personnels." An again you mentioned that it is not a question priority and will from the governments and local authorities and it is not that easy you know. Ofcourse it is a matter of priority and good will cuse if it is not and as you said we go and inspire others to study and come back. If there is no Priorities in health it will just be like a soldiergoint to war without a gun.
Asbj=F8rn you should have elaborated if you KNEW! to eanable us to get guidline of what you kknew. This subject is indeed a question of priority. What of providing clean water and good sanitation instead of purchasing three helicopters and the construction of the Arch this should have not been a priority before clean water and sanitation. What would call priority? Do visit Kartong and other rural areas the governments are full of fungus and other green plants on the walls of the well and even in the water. In the Gambia environmental concern is a second hand issue/topic, we have been having power failure for almost two decades and the sytem we have now is using heavy oil which is hazardous both to the environment and the workers. Let me give you som exanples in the civil sercvice, Dr. Oldfield the only pathologist in the Gambia and been a Gambian was employed by the United Nations for the Gambia. The government will not accepting hom having an expertise salary and a UN car and plate. But he was stubborn and said he will give away the car but not the salary.This was during the Jawara era.
There are many personnels graduated from the School of Public Health and Midwifery at the Gambia College, doctors and public health officers educated abroad, but the majority have gone private or been employed by private institutions. The points you raised concerning salaries, to make people serving visible as people to be look up to and court rooms plastered with foreign judges and lawyers, hospitals, education systems from Gambia College, Secondary schools up to GTTI. This started from the early beginning of independence. many Gambians are been frustrated by the treatment they received from the system. A Gambian could have been in the same institution or equivalent with the so-called European and west African experts or may be acquiring better results than them. But they never get the salaries as them or facilities like housing, cars or not private practicing allowances. This always resukted in going private or taking international appointments.
You wrote "If you will enlighten/turn on other persons you must "burn" yourself" i believe most of the peole on the net have been burning. Asbj=F8r= n i have ben burning and exhausting myself which sometimes goes economically on me. Whenever i am in the Gambia ido visit sick people in homes and hospitals and take their prescription along with me to Norway and do send the required medicines. Some do send or fax prescriptions sign by doctors in the Gambia. This dosen=B4t sometimes cost me a dome but the sending always= cost.
Almost two years ago i donated a quatity of medical equipments and condoms to the Gambia. Where i was promised that they will come for the rest and others to be provided by me, with the full assistance and dedication of my department and our collaborating partners who help with the donation. Still yet nothing did happened.
I can reffer to one particular case when we talk abou whether is priority or not. Ndey Jeng was fiffteen year old girl who was an Asthmatic RHD patient. Ndey was a primary 6 pupil of Campama school and her father was Islamic teacher at Sir Dawda Primary School. I read her story on the point on thursday evening novembet the 25, but the newspaper was the issue of monday october th18 1993. The paper stated that the girl was admitted on several occassions both at the RVH and MRC. Doctors confide to her father that this disease at hand call for a critical surgery which cannot be carried out in the Gambia. But in countries with well developed medical services. Due to this her sent SOS signal to the general publuc, the local authorities and the international community to help her daughter in whatever form possible to finance her trip for treatment in an appropiate country.
After read the newspaper the next day was friday november the 26 i send faxes asking assistance for her in different norwegian institutions and received the first positive response tuesday november the 30. The very day i called Deida Hydara and Pap Saine of THE POINT newspaper to fax me the medical journal of Ney Jeng and this was done by Dr. Aliue G. Gaye who was then he Head of the medical Unit at the RVH now the Director of Health Services. I received the fax from Dr. Gaye wednesday december the 15. 1993. Within a period of two months i got the gree light that she can be operated without any cost but her family must provide the airticket, i fax it to THE POINT and they appealed through the media to assist her for an airticket. She didn=B4t get airticket or whatsoever assistance from rich gambians or= the government, then the coupd=B4=E8tat came still no assistance for the poor= girl. She died after several complicated attacks the grandmother got a stroke after receiving the new and died. I visited the Dad whist in the i was in the Gambia and the point where they told me that the two governments and people failed Ndey Jeng. this has caused a debate in the Gambian newspapers for months.
If we abroad should help or return to work as you stated we would like to be dedicated and execute our duties but not to be frustrated. The systems have to change and give priorities to build an environment of social agreement to what is good and desirable. The message of politics is the growth of conciousness, and moral earnestness in furthering ability to attune ourselves positively to what is so often describe as nature. All gradual victory of injustice, ignorance, poverty, hunger and disease would one day be replaced by achieving dignity, more wisdom, better education, health systems, clean water, sanitation and ultimately more individual and social happiness, by giving priority and chance.
Wishing you all a nice and happy weekend with all that JAZZ
With Kind regards=20
Omar S. Saho
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 03:49:31 PDT From: "alieu badara" <alieu@hotmail.com> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: PRO GAMBIA Message-ID: <199707181049.DAA21357@f70.hotmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain
There is this new organisation in Finland that is working to promote the education quality in The Gambia.For more info. please surf through http://www.angelfire.com/ga/progam/index.html Regards, Alieu
______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 18:03:29 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'gambia-l@u.washington.edu'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: RE- FROM HEALTH TO NATION BUILDING Message-ID: <01BC93A4.F7551840@dila.qatar.net.qa> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="---- =_NextPart_000_01BC93A4.F7551840"
------ =_NextPart_000_01BC93A4.F7551840 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Again Doc.,thanks for the med info on the Gambia.The truth sometimes = hurts,but I am glad that someone has decided to tell it.My heart goes to = Ndey's family.
And keep up the good work down there!
Regards Bassss!
---------- From: Olafiaklinikken Olafia[SMTP:olafia@online.no] Sent: 13/=D1=C8=ED=DA =C7=E1=C7=E6=E1/1418 03:45 =E3 To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List Subject: RE- FROM HEALTH TO NATION BUILDING
Asbj=F8rn, Thanks for you article "FROM HEALTH CARE TO NATION BUILDING" = I do agree that there seems to be lot start with. Your questionof " what does = it help with a vaccination programme if we don=B4t make better sanitary in = towns, havinig vaccines but no personnels." An again you mentioned that it is = not a question priority and will from the governments and local authorities = and it is not that easy you know. Ofcourse it is a matter of priority and good = will cuse if it is not and as you said we go and inspire others to study and = come back. If there is no Priorities in health it will just be like a soldiergoint to war without a gun.
Asbj=F8rn you should have elaborated if you KNEW! to eanable us to get guidline of what you kknew. This subject is indeed a question of = priority. What of providing clean water and good sanitation instead of purchasing three helicopters and the construction of the Arch this should have not = been a priority before clean water and sanitation. What would call priority? = Do visit Kartong and other rural areas the governments are full of fungus = and other green plants on the walls of the well and even in the water. In = the Gambia environmental concern is a second hand issue/topic, we have been having power failure for almost two decades and the sytem we have now is using heavy oil which is hazardous both to the environment and the = workers. Let me give you som exanples in the civil sercvice, Dr. Oldfield the = only pathologist in the Gambia and been a Gambian was employed by the United Nations for the Gambia. The government will not accepting hom having an expertise salary and a UN car and plate. But he was stubborn and said = he will give away the car but not the salary.This was during the Jawara = era.
There are many personnels graduated from the School of Public Health and Midwifery at the Gambia College, doctors and public health officers = educated abroad, but the majority have gone private or been employed by private institutions. The points you raised concerning salaries, to make people serving visible as people to be look up to and court rooms plastered = with foreign judges and lawyers, hospitals, education systems from Gambia College, Secondary schools up to GTTI. This started from the early = beginning of independence. many Gambians are been frustrated by the treatment they received from the system. A Gambian could have been in the same = institution or equivalent with the so-called European and west African experts or = may be acquiring better results than them. But they never get the salaries = as them or facilities like housing, cars or not private practicing = allowances. This always resukted in going private or taking international = appointments.
You wrote "If you will enlighten/turn on other persons you must "burn" yourself" i believe most of the peole on the net have been burning. = Asbj=F8rn i have ben burning and exhausting myself which sometimes goes = economically on me. Whenever i am in the Gambia ido visit sick people in homes and hospitals and take their prescription along with me to Norway and do = send the required medicines. Some do send or fax prescriptions sign by = doctors in the Gambia. This dosen=B4t sometimes cost me a dome but the sending = always cost.
Almost two years ago i donated a quatity of medical equipments and = condoms to the Gambia. Where i was promised that they will come for the rest and others to be provided by me, with the full assistance and dedication of = my department and our collaborating partners who help with the donation. = Still yet nothing did happened.
I can reffer to one particular case when we talk abou whether is = priority or not. Ndey Jeng was fiffteen year old girl who was an Asthmatic RHD = patient. Ndey was a primary 6 pupil of Campama school and her father was Islamic teacher at Sir Dawda Primary School. I read her story on the point on thursday evening novembet the 25, but the newspaper was the issue of = monday october th18 1993. The paper stated that the girl was admitted on = several occassions both at the RVH and MRC. Doctors confide to her father that = this disease at hand call for a critical surgery which cannot be carried out = in the Gambia. But in countries with well developed medical services. Due = to this her sent SOS signal to the general publuc, the local authorities = and the international community to help her daughter in whatever form = possible to finance her trip for treatment in an appropiate country.
After read the newspaper the next day was friday november the 26 i send faxes asking assistance for her in different norwegian institutions and received the first positive response tuesday november the 30. The very = day i called Deida Hydara and Pap Saine of THE POINT newspaper to fax me the medical journal of Ney Jeng and this was done by Dr. Aliue G. Gaye who = was then he Head of the medical Unit at the RVH now the Director of Health Services. I received the fax from Dr. Gaye wednesday december the 15. = 1993. Within a period of two months i got the gree light that she can be = operated without any cost but her family must provide the airticket, i fax it to = THE POINT and they appealed through the media to assist her for an = airticket. She didn=B4t get airticket or whatsoever assistance from rich gambians = or the government, then the coupd=B4=E8tat came still no assistance for the = poor girl. She died after several complicated attacks the grandmother got a stroke after receiving the new and died. I visited the Dad whist in the i was = in the Gambia and the point where they told me that the two governments = and people failed Ndey Jeng. this has caused a debate in the Gambian =
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 18:22:42 +2000 From: mmjeng@image.dk To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Fwd: Scientists Econgourage Inventor Of Malaria Vaccine Message-ID: <199707181624.SAA30448@mail.image.dk> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: Quoted-printable
Scientists Econgourage Inventor Of Malaria Vaccine
July 17, 1997
Peter Masebu, PANA Correspondent
DAKAR, Senegal (PANA) - Senegalese scientists on Wednesday evening encouraged the Bolivian inventor of the SPf66 anti-malaria vaccine, Prof. Manuel Patarroyo, to ignore the unfavourable comments from certain quarters in the developed north concerning its performance.
The synthetic peptide vaccine has shown encouraging results in several South American countries as well as in Gambia and and Tanzania. However, its performance in Thailand has come under severe criticism from researchers in the United States.
What Patarrayo discovered is very encouraging and has a potential for greater development. You see, the anti-rabbies vaccine we have today was initially not so efficient and caused a lot of problems, said Dr George Diouf of the infectious disease department at Dakar's Fann Hospital.
There are certain financial considerations involved in the lack of enthusiasm for the anti-malaria vaccine. Certainly some people fear an effective anti-malaria vaccine could spell a financial disaster, he told PANA.
He was speaking after Patarroyo had given a rousing lecture on the stage reached in developing the vaccine to prevent malaria, which afflicts at least 500 million people worldwide and causes an estimated 2.5 million deaths each year.
The fact that the inventor is from a small third world country and not from the north and his refusal to sell his invetion to major pharmaceutical companies does not help matter either, added Diouf.
Asked by PANA on what future steps he intended to take after the vaccine tests in Gambia and Tanzania, Patarroyo said there are plans to test several other vaccines after we have tested them in Bolivia.
On whether he intended to stand for the post of World Health Organization (WHO) Director General following his dramatic decision in May 1995 to grant the UN health agency an exclusive right to the SPf66, Patarroyo said I am not interested.
Winding up debate after the lecture, the Senegalese minister of health and social action, Ousmane Ngom, described Patarroyo's decision to donate the vaccine to the WHO as a good gesture which deserves emulation by scientists in the South.
This proves that one does not have to belong to the North to be generous.
Prof. Patarroyo is visiting Senegal at the invitation of President Abdou Diouf.
Last Monday, the Bolivian scientist was guest of honour during Senegal's annual day of social mobilisation against malaria, which was observed at Nioro, 250 km south of Dakar.
In a speech, he promised that Senegal would be among the first countries to benefit from the anti-malaria vaccine when it goes into production early next year.
Copyright =A9 1997 Panafrican News Agency. All Rights Reserved.
Greetings Matarr M. Jeng.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 20:03:48 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'gambia-l@u.washington.edu'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: Scientists Econgourage Inventor Of Malaria Vaccine Message-ID: <01BC93B5.B8AF6F80@dila.qatar.net.qa> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="---- =_NextPart_000_01BC93B5.B8AF6F80"
------ =_NextPart_000_01BC93B5.B8AF6F80 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Matarr! Thanks for the Med.info.below and keep up the good work down there!
Regards Bassss!
---------- From: mmjeng@image.dk[SMTP:mmjeng@image.dk] Sent: 13/=D1=C8=ED=DA =C7=E1=C7=E6=E1/1418 01:22 =D5 To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List Subject: Fwd: Scientists Econgourage Inventor Of Malaria Vaccine
Scientists Econgourage Inventor Of Malaria Vaccine
July 17, 1997
Peter Masebu, PANA Correspondent
DAKAR, Senegal (PANA) - Senegalese scientists on Wednesday evening encouraged the Bolivian inventor of the SPf66 anti-malaria vaccine, Prof. Manuel Patarroyo, to ignore the unfavourable comments from certain quarters in the developed north concerning its performance.
The synthetic peptide vaccine has shown encouraging results in several South American countries as well as in Gambia and and Tanzania. However, its performance in Thailand has come under severe criticism from researchers in the United States.
What Patarrayo discovered is very encouraging and has a potential for greater development. You see, the anti-rabbies vaccine we have today was initially not so efficient and caused a lot of problems, said Dr George Diouf of the infectious disease department at Dakar's Fann Hospital.
There are certain financial considerations involved in the lack of enthusiasm for the anti-malaria vaccine. Certainly some people fear an effective anti-malaria vaccine could spell a financial disaster, he told PANA.
He was speaking after Patarroyo had given a rousing lecture on the stage reached in developing the vaccine to prevent malaria, which afflicts at least 500 million people worldwide and causes an estimated 2.5 million deaths each year.
The fact that the inventor is from a small third world country and not from the north and his refusal to sell his invetion to major pharmaceutical companies does not help matter either, added Diouf.
Asked by PANA on what future steps he intended to take after the vaccine tests in Gambia and Tanzania, Patarroyo said there are plans to test several other vaccines after we have tested them in Bolivia.
On whether he intended to stand for the post of World Health Organization (WHO) Director General following his dramatic decision in May 1995 to grant the UN health agency an exclusive right to the SPf66, Patarroyo said I am not interested.
Winding up debate after the lecture, the Senegalese minister of health and social action, Ousmane Ngom, described Patarroyo's decision to donate the vaccine to the WHO as a good gesture which deserves emulation by scientists in the South.
This proves that one does not have to belong to the North to be generous.
Prof. Patarroyo is visiting Senegal at the invitation of President Abdou Diouf.
Last Monday, the Bolivian scientist was guest of honour during Senegal's annual day of social mobilisation against malaria, which was observed at Nioro, 250 km south of Dakar.
In a speech, he promised that Senegal would be among the first countries to benefit from the anti-malaria vaccine when it goes into production early next year.
Copyright =A9 1997 Panafrican News Agency. All Rights Reserved.
Greetings Matarr M. Jeng.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 19:28:36 +0200 From: Marie Gillen <marie.gillen@swipnet.se> To: Gambia <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: sorry for being late Message-ID: <33CFA7C4.499A@swipnet.se> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Hi evertbody! I have been added to the list by a friend of mine. And i have recieved so many mails without having time to reply because of summer classes and examines. Since i live in a remote place in Sweden i dont get much info about Gambians issues around here. Only once a year when we have our African getogether and looking forward one which is going to take place the first of august and end the eight of august. We call it the African week.Sometimes next week i am gonna take my time to read the mail i have not had time to go through and send some comment on it. Thank you Marie Gillen
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 21:08:41 +0200 From: "pa sowe" <sowe@online.no> To: <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: SV: Scientists Econgourage Inventor Of Malaria Vaccine Message-ID: <199707181911.VAA14985@online.no> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Hello Matar
It is very interesting that scientist from other thirdworld countries are making progress in developing new medisines which thirdworld countries can benifit of. And i really admire the Bolivian inventor. I want to ask you a question ( was the Gambia one of the first countries to test the vaccine or was it the latin american countries who tested it forst.
Pa Sowe oslo
Fra: mmjeng@image.dk Til: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Emne: Fwd: Scientists Econgourage Inventor Of Malaria Vaccine Dato: 18. juli 1997 00:22
Scientists Econgourage Inventor Of Malaria Vaccine
July 17, 1997
Peter Masebu, PANA Correspondent
DAKAR, Senegal (PANA) - Senegalese scientists on Wednesday evening encouraged the Bolivian inventor of the SPf66 anti-malaria vaccine, Prof. Manuel Patarroyo, to ignore the unfavourable comments from certain quarters in the developed north concerning its performance.
The synthetic peptide vaccine has shown encouraging results in several South American countries as well as in Gambia and and Tanzania. However, its performance in Thailand has come under severe criticism from researchers in the United States.
What Patarrayo discovered is very encouraging and has a potential for greater development. You see, the anti-rabbies vaccine we have today was initially not so efficient and caused a lot of problems, said Dr George Diouf of the infectious disease department at Dakar's Fann Hospital.
There are certain financial considerations involved in the lack of enthusiasm for the anti-malaria vaccine. Certainly some people fear an effective anti-malaria vaccine could spell a financial disaster, he told PANA.
He was speaking after Patarroyo had given a rousing lecture on the stage reached in developing the vaccine to prevent malaria, which afflicts at least 500 million people worldwide and causes an estimated 2.5 million deaths each year.
The fact that the inventor is from a small third world country and not from the north and his refusal to sell his invetion to major pharmaceutical companies does not help matter either, added Diouf.
Asked by PANA on what future steps he intended to take after the vaccine tests in Gambia and Tanzania, Patarroyo said there are plans to test several other vaccines after we have tested them in Bolivia.
On whether he intended to stand for the post of World Health Organization (WHO) Director General following his dramatic decision in May 1995 to grant the UN health agency an exclusive right to the SPf66, Patarroyo said I am not interested.
Winding up debate after the lecture, the Senegalese minister of health and social action, Ousmane Ngom, described Patarroyo's decision to donate the vaccine to the WHO as a good gesture which deserves emulation by scientists in the South.
This proves that one does not have to belong to the North to be generous.
Prof. Patarroyo is visiting Senegal at the invitation of President Abdou Diouf.
Last Monday, the Bolivian scientist was guest of honour during Senegal's annual day of social mobilisation against malaria, which was observed at Nioro, 250 km south of Dakar.
In a speech, he promised that Senegal would be among the first countries to benefit from the anti-malaria vaccine when it goes into production early next year.
Copyright © 1997 Panafrican News Agency. All Rights Reserved.
Greetings Matarr M. Jeng.
----------
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 16:53:37 -0400 (EDT) From: "N'Deye Marie N'Jie" <njie.1@osu.edu> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu, africans@iastate.edu Subject: Jobs (fwd) Message-ID: <2.2.16.19970718165134.219feada@postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 12:50:45 -0400 (EDT) >Reply-To: keytech@postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu >Sender: owner-esgpnews@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu >X-PH: V4.4@lists >From: ESGP/ES&E Key Technology Program <keytech@postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu>
>4) Jobs > > a) Job: UWS/UWM Great Lakes WATER Institute, Assistant Director for > Marine Operations and Facilities (Administrative Program Manager 3) > b) Jobs: 1: Program Director, Sea Grant Extension; and 2: Research > Program Officer. NOAA, Department of Commerce, Silver Spring, MD >
>============================================================================== >4) Jobs > >a) Job: UWS/UWM Great Lakes WATER Institute, Assistant Director for Marine >Operations and Facilities (Administrative Program Manager 3) > >A message received via Dr. Jeffrey M. Reutter: > >The UWS/UWM Great Lakes WATER Institute provides within the State of >Wisconsin, a focal point for research, education, and outreach aimed at >knowledge and understanding of the Great Lakes and other aquatic resources. >The Institute is home to the UWM Center for Great Lakes Studies, the >Aquaculture Institute, a Sea Grant Field Office, several DNR management and >monitoring groups, an NIEHS Freshwater Biomedical Core Center, and other >University programs. The Assistant Director is responsible for the operation >and management of the WATER Institute's physical plant and for overseeing >and directing the marine and shop services that support the field and >laboratory research conducted at the WATER Institute. The position reports >to the Director of WATER Institute. > >Responsibilities: Manage the physical facility of the Great Lakes WATER >Institute, including the supervision of a staff of five (electronic >technician, two instrument makers, research vessel captain and vessel >engineer) plus seasonal staff. Must ensure the physical integrity of the >Institute's facilities (building, land, docks, water supply, HVAC, >compressed air, deionized water, life support systems for the aquaculture >facilities, lighting, and electrical systems), and is responsible for >building security and providing a safe physical environment for building >users. Coordinate and manage all marine services and vessel/fleet >operations, monitor construction progress on special laboratory and >remodeling projects, participate in long range planning, coordinate space >assignments, and prepare extramural support proposals for facility development. > >Qualifications: Must have a bachelor's degree and 6 to 8 years of experience >in facility management with emphasis on laboratory, marine, and shop >maintenance and operations, including supervisory experience. Individual >must have excellent interpersonal skills, strong writing skills and >experience in extramural proposal preparation. Must be able not only to work >with a diverse, multicultural workforce, but must seek opportunities to >broaden and enhance the representation of such groups in the workplace. >Individual also must have the ability to perform "hands-on" operations and >maintenance activities, as circumstance and location may dictate. > >Salary and Pay Basis: Range 6 of the Academic Staff Compensation Plan >($36,543 to $45,679 - hiring range). This is a full-time, twelve-month >annual basis appointment with excellent benefits. > >Anticipated Starting Date: October 1, 1997. Application Procedures: Send >letter of application, resume, and the names and addresses of three >references postmarked by August 15, 1997, to: Marjorie Bjornstad, Assistant >Dean, UWM Graduate School, P.O. Box 340, Milwaukee, WI 53201 (414) - >229-5547 Email: marj@csd.uw.edu > >The names of those nominees and applicants who have not requested that their >identity be withheld and the names of all finalists will be released upon >request. UWM is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and >encourages minority, female, and handicapped applicants because a diverse >campus environment is desirable and important to the educational process. > > >b) Jobs: 1: Program Director, Sea Grant Extension; and 2: Research Program >Officer. NOAA, Department of Commerce, Silver Spring, MD > >A message received via Dr. Jeffey M. Reutter: > >The National Sea Grant College Program Office, NOAA, Department of Commerce, >in Silver Spring, MD, has two openings: > >Program Director, Sea Grant Extension. Provides leadership, direction and >management of the Sea Grant extension programs. Provides oversight of the >national, university-based network of Sea Grant extension programs and >develops cooperative activities with appropriate government programs, >non-governmental organizations, and industry extension partners. Represents >Sea Grant's extension and outreach interests within NOAA and serves as >liaison to other federal agencies, universities and the Congress. Includes >program officer and grants administration responsibilities, including >oversight and evaluation of university-based research and outreach programs. >Provides leadership to members of Outreach Team overseeing the functions of >communications and education programs as well as marine extension programs. > >Advanced degree in technical or scientific fields appropriate to marine >extension is desirable (marine biology, fisheries science, engineering, >marine ecology, marine affairs or marine related social sciences); >outreach/extension experience and experience working with academic >institutions is highly desirable. Experience in federal grant negotiation >desirable. > >Salary: $64,555 to $98,714 (dependent on experience and qualifications). >Location: Silver Spring, Maryland. Application Address: NOAA/HRMO/ OFA45, >OAR/HRD, VA# H/OAR/970020.RAW, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 > >ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY August 31, 1997. The complete >announcement is posted on (NOAA WWW site): >http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/~webvas/gs040114.rw1. > >Research Program Officer. Provides leadership to Sea Grant research >activities, including program development and evaluation. Develops >cooperative activities with appropriate government programs, >non-governmental organizations, and industry partners. Represents Sea >Grant's research interests within NOAA and serves as liaison to other >federal agencies, universities and the Congress. Includes state program >officer and grants administration responsibilities, including oversight and >evaluation of university-based research and outreach programs. > >Advanced degree in technical or scientific field appropriate to coastal, >Great Lakes, and marine resource issues is desirable; experience working >with academic institutions is highly desirable. Experience in federal grant >negotiation desirable. Position will be classified as either Biological >Scientist (marine or aquatic biology, marine or aquatic ecology, fisheries >science) or Physical Scientist (oceanography, marine chemistry, >engineering); APPLICANT MUST INDICATE ONE OR THE OTHER CLASSIFICATION WHEN >APPLYING. > >Salary: $64,555 to $83,922 (dependent on experience and qualifications). >Location: Silver Spring, Maryland. Application Address: > >(For Biological Scientist) (For Physical Scientist) >NOAA/HRMO/ OFA45 NOAA/HRMO/ OFA45 >OAR/HRD, VA# H/OAR/970022.RAW OAR/HRD, VA# H/OAR/970021.RAW >1315 East-West Highway 1315 East-West Highway >Silver Spring, MD 20910 Silver Spring, MD 20910 > >ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY AUGUST 31, 1997. The complete Vacancy >Announcement is posted on the NOAA WWW site at http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/~webvas/ >gs130114.rw1 (for Physical Scientist), or http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/~webvas/ >gs040114.rw1 (for Biological Scientist). >==============================================================================
>============================================================================== > > >
----------------------------------- N'Deye Marie N'Jie Graduate Research Associate The Ohio State University Rm 260 Agricultural Engineering Bldg 590 Woody Hayes Drive Columbus, OH 43210
Fax: (614)292-9448 Phone: (614) 688-3445 (W) E-mail: njie.1@osu.edu
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 23:21:06 +0200 From: momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: New members Message-ID: <19970718222344.AAA55446@LOCALNAME>
Gambia-l, Kebba Jallow and Mustapha cham, have been added to the list. Welcome to the Gambia-l, we look forward to your contributions. Please send your introductions to: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Regards Momodou Camara
******************************************************* http://home3.inet.tele.dk/mcamara
**"Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible"***
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 18:12:13 -0400 From: Latir Downes-Thomas <latir@earthlink.net> To: Gambia-L <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: fwd: Sierra Leone Junta Agrees to Truce Message-ID: <33CFEA3D.5CF73553@earthlink.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Sierra Leone Junta Agrees to Truce
Copyright 1997 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
By AMBA DADSON Associated Press Writer ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) -- Leaders of Sierra Leone's ruling junta pledged Friday to implement an immediate cease-fire and restore constitutional government to the battle-wracked nation. A joint communique issued after a meeting with West African leaders called for an immediate end to hostilities and for coup leader Maj. Johnny Paul Koroma to take steps toward restoring constitutional rule. It was the first time since the May 25 overthrow of President Tejan Ahmed Kabbah that a delegation from the military junta met representatives of the Economic Community of West African States. The 16-member organization has demanded that Koroma restore power to Kabbah, currently exiled in Guinea. A Nigerian-led peacekeeping force has attempted to dislodge Koroma, and battles between the peacekeepers and troops loyal to the junta have left hundreds dead in and around Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown. The negotiators called for a second round of talks in a week in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Many nations have condemned the coup that ousted Kabbah, who was elected in March 1996; the Commonwealth of Britain and its former colonies responded by suspending Sierra Leone from its ranks. Koroma's delegation at the talks expressed regret over the heavy casualties in the recent fighting and said it favored a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Alimany Pallo Bangura, the junta's foreign minister, said he was satisfied Friday's meeting would lead to a "significant breakthrough." He said the junta, by pledging to restore constitutional order, was opening the possibility that Kabbah could return to power but was not guaranteeing that this would happen. That issue is expected to raised when the talks resume.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 18:55:48 -0400 From: Latir Downes-Thomas <latir@earthlink.net> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: HELP NEEDED Message-ID: <33CFF474.C44099C3@earthlink.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Omar S. Saho wrote:
> This one question that i want to ask but any i sit besides the machine it > escapes my mind. There two different signatures and that is LATIR and > LATJOR. Is it the same person or is LAT - LATIR, LAT is LATJOR or is it > three different persons and that means to say to say LAT, LATIR and LATJOR. > > I do know the name of the Senegambian warrior was LATJOR NGONEH LATIR JOOF. > I am not trying to verify the concerns identidy If this enquiry happens to > be inconvinient.
When you see messages signed "Lat", they are from me, Latir Gheran Downes-Thomas.
My parents named me after my mother's uncle Latyr Faye. I guess the name originates, if not was made popular, by the great warrior you mention. Many of my elder family friends and relatives refer to me from time to time as "Ngone Latir".
"Lat" is just a nickname but because of the confusion members have had between me and my cousin, Latjor Ndow, I will now make the habit of signing "Latir Gheran" instead.
Thanks,
Latir Gheran
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 21:26:01 -0400 From: Latir Downes-Thomas <latir@earthlink.net> To: Gambia-L <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: [Fwd: Nigeria Defends Democracy in Africa] Message-ID: <33D017A9.C8D8BE1@earthlink.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="------------AB2D3E1DC5EE3AE87003A0E2"
This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------AB2D3E1DC5EE3AE87003A0E2 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
--------------AB2D3E1DC5EE3AE87003A0E2 Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline
Path: nntp.earthlink.net!mr.net!xfer.kren.nm.kr!su-news-hub1.bbnplanet.com!cpk-news-hub1.bbnplanet.com!news.bbnplanet.com!worldnet.att.net!newsadm From: "Stephen B. Kennedy-IV" <sbkennedy@worldnet.att.net> Newsgroups: soc.culture.liberia,soc.culture.sierra-leone,soc.culture.nigeria,soc.culture.african Subject: Nigeria Defends Democracy in Africa Date: Mon, 07 Jul 1997 18:13:42 -0400 Organization: AT & T WorldNet Services Message-ID: <33C16A16.52A9@worldnet.att.net> Reply-To: sbkennedy@worldnet.att.net NNTP-Posting-Host: 207.116.145.144 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.0C-WorldNet (Win95; I) Xref: nntp.earthlink.net soc.culture.liberia:2986 soc.culture.sierra-leone:3202 soc.culture.nigeria:33886 soc.culture.african:37569
Nigeria Defends Democracy in Africa
By Beth Duff-Brown Associated Press Writer Monday, July 7, 1997; 4:11 a.m. EDT
Nigeria Defends Democracy in Africa
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) -- Long ruled by military dictators and no friend to democracy at home, Nigeria has managed to the consternation of its critics to become ``Big Brother'' to struggling democracies in West Africa.
Nigeria's human-rights record has drawn condemnation from world leaders and the United Nations and it led to the country's suspension from the Commonwealth, the association of Britain and its former colonies.
Still, its peacekeeping troops helped end Liberia's civil war and prepare for elections scheduled later this month. And Nigerian forces are also trying to reinstate the democratically elected president of Sierra Leone who was recently ousted in a coup.
Nigeria's military ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha, who himself seized power in a military coup in 1993, says Nigeria has been endowed with bountiful natural resources and therefore is duty bound to foster freedom and stability in the region.
'`All of us condemned the coup in Sierra Leone and gave an unequivocal support to the democratically elected President Ahmed Kabbah,'' Abacha said. ``My primary concern is to ensure that peace and stability reigns in the West African sub-region.''
At home, Abacha has jailed hundreds of opponents -- including the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election -- and reneged on his vow to hand the country over to civilian rule last year.
To some it seems hypocritical for Nigeria to be the self-appointed defender of democracy in the region. ``There is no point rushing to Sierra Leone to fight for democracy when there is no democracy in Nigeria,'' said Chiman Ubani, head of the Nigerian Democratic Alternative. The United Nations and Organization of African Unity called for military intervention to bring back Sierra Leone's elected president, Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, after he was ousted May 25. Nigeria found itself spearheading the efforts when the mutinous troops targeted its peacekeepers there during a looting rampage after the coup. A Nigerian assault on the capital in June killed at least 50 people, but so far the military pressure has failed to dislodge mutinous troops loyal to the coup leader, Maj. Johnny Paul Koroma.
Nigerian Maj. Gen. Victor Malu, commander of the peacekeeping force sent to Sierra Leone by the Economic Community of West African States, said July 1 that Koroma had two weeks to surrender or his men would be ``flushed out.'' Malu also threatened an economic blockade for the already destitute country.
Nigerian newspapers and human-rights groups have used Abacha's actions in Sierra Leone to demand he keep his word on implementing democracy at home.
``We urge the military regime of Gen. Abacha to also speedily restore democracy here -- for charity begins at home,'' said the independent Post Express.
Ayo Adebanjo, spokesman for the Civil Liberties Organization, said, ``It is hypocritical for it to seek to be restoring democracy in another country while it is undermining the same at home.''
The international community has little choice but to acknowledge Nigeria for its $4 billion effort to end the civil war in Liberia and to help monitor the disarmament of 60,000 militiamen and the July 19 presidential election in Liberia.
Unless the U.S. government succeeds in getting an internationally financed African peacekeeping force going, the only West African country with both the military muscle and a willingness to use it is Nigeria.
Its 77,000-man armed forces are the largest in the region except for Angola, which is only now recovering from a decades-long civil war. Nigeria's 6,000 soldiers are the core of the Economic Community of West African States peacekeeping force.
Former President Carter visited Abacha in the Nigerian political capital, Abuja, in late June and left convinced Nigeria would be in civilian hands before Oct. 1, 1998.
``He assured me that the decision made in Nigeria to have free and democratic elections to elect civilian leaders for this country will be fulfilled as scheduled,'' Carter said.
Many are skeptical the elections will be free and fair, or even take place. Abacha previously promised elections by the end of last year, but then announced he would remain in power two more years to ensure an orderly transition.
Elections for state assemblymen have been delayed and the vote for state governors put off until Aug. 1, 1998, the same day as the promised presidential election.
--------------AB2D3E1DC5EE3AE87003A0E2--
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Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 23:31:49 -0400 (EDT) From: EStew68064@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Medical Advice Please Message-ID: <970718233147_-1911836842@emout11.mail.aol.com>
Hi there from San Francisco to fellow list members whereever you are!
Does anyone know what is the best thing to do...especially anyone with medical experience in West Africa
My 14 year son is now living with his family - my Gambian in-laws in Kombo North, Western Division. He will probably remain there through high school.
I did not arrange for him to take maleria medicine because he will be there quite a while, I was concerned about side effects if he should take pills every day or week. Also, most Gambians there seem to think it is best to treat after, and to develop resistance. I did not meet with any doctors, though, just ordinary people.
I still wonder if that is the correct thing to do. Also, does anyone recommend that I get him GAMSTAR for health insurance...all these Gambia-L discussions about the problems of the clinics has me concerned.
So far, he has been there over three months with no health problems, and is happy as a lark living in Africa!
Thank you LIz Stewart Fatti
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 19 Jul 1997 02:57:08 +0200 From: "Momodou S Sidibeh" <momodou.sidibeh@stockholm.mail.telia.com> To: <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Colleagues in Japan? Message-ID: <199707190444.GAA15445@d1o2.telia.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Mr.Drammeh, I mistakenly deleted one of your latest postings a day or two ago. This relates to your concern about what to answer to those who lament the unpredictability of events in Africa, as compared to countries in other parts of the world.
I have a few suggestions, good or bad, should be up to you and other readers. First of all, tell your colleagues that inspite of our great similarities, there is infact no other place like Africa: our ethnic diversity, the lingusitic patterns, the arbitrariness of borders, the evolution of political systems, the artificiality of institutions, the degree of social stratification in different countries, and many other factors, all make social stability and political predictability seemingly precarious. Yet it is infact possible to be at least cleverly suspicious of the course of events. The methods of analysis which work relatively well in other parts of the world, seem to break down when applied to African conditions. It is very easy then to think our "problems" intractable. And if we believe this ourselves, then we will be in the deep blue sea. I think we must see instead that it is these methods which are, perhaps, inadequate for Africa, rather than depicting Africa as the "problem":
1. "Follow the Money"...Naturally, in many countries in Africa, class divisions are beginning to be well-defined but the bourgeoisie (where there exists one deserving of the name), is relatively tiny and dependent on political structures. Industrialisation has not progressed much and so the working class is small but growing and largely unorganised. Only in few black African countries does a working class whose size and organisational strength can really threaten those in power. So it is still largely a feudal set up co-existing with a pseudo-capitalist and parasitic bureaucracy. Therefore, a class analyses of African countries is instructive but not sufficient. The parasitic nature of those in power makes them easy prey for control by external gun-runners, so-called investors, and others looking for quick money - in mining, tourism, construction, etc. [Reality check: Even before Laurent Kabila took power on May 19th, barely ten days earlier, a high-profiled group of seven Western investment bankers (including representatives of Burtung Warburg and Deutsche Morgan Grenfell - both of who sponsored Hitler's rise to power in the 30s) invited him to a meeting in Lubumbashi. Prior to this American Mineral Fields Company of Canada had provided a personal plane for Kabila. AMF is investing less than US$ 1billion in two mines that are worth at least 20 billion]
2. Look for unsettled violent ethnic histories....When th carnage began on April 6th, 1994 in Rwanda, few seemed to remember what the Tutsis did to the Hutus in the 60s. They were hammering the heads of Hutus in police detention centres even as the UN was conferencing nearby. Of course it all began long before that and the hands of the colonialists have been bloody for generations. The madness that occured in ' 94 was the result of an outburst of extreme hatred internally repressed, collectively, by a very large majority for many many years. it was an Apartheid situation! [Imagine what would have happened in South Africa if black people were sufficiently armed as the changes were to take place, say, a few years before Mandela's release from prison]. Of course what the Hutus did is UNJUSTIFIABLE, but is not UNDERSTANDABLE??...Check for these kinds of unsettled histories at least amongst the dominant ethnic groups...
3.Look for religiou sects and social relations between dominant ethnic groups...Study for instance part of the problem in the conflict in Senegal. The most obvious is certainly the matter of neglecting the Casamance in especially rural development. (Things have improved there now, somewhat). But a less obvious issue is the relations of the majority Wollofs in the North and the Majority(?) Jolas in the South. For generations, the latter worked for the former as domestic servants, errand and garden boys, and other menial workers in large towns in the North. Many of the young from the South found jobs mainly in the armed forces. A master servant mentality must have developed during the past two generations and this has played a significant psychological role in influencing Northern attitudes towards the Southerners. Unless things are quickly redressed, a conflict is inevitable eventually.
4.Finally, look for external manipulators - who would do ANYTHING for profit. Arms (from Britain, france, and Belgium) found there way into Rwanda even after the UN declared and embargo. This is important not just because guns kill people, but because the MERE PRESENCE OF ARMS incites its use against real or imagined enemies. These are some points i think could help, even if the opposites are the correct items! Political scientists on the list could come with better suggestions. I am sure there are many other African "things" we all could look for in trying to predict events and explain them. If we for one moment believe that our behaviour and therefore our problems are incomprehensible, we will be creating the greatest psychological hindrance to mobilise creative energies necessary for our solving them... Regards, Modou Sidibeh.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 19 Jul 1997 15:19:17 +0900 (JST) From: binta@iuj.ac.jp To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Colleagues in Japan? Message-ID: <199707190613.PAA21297@mlsv.iuj.ac.jp> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Mr. Sidibeh,
Thanks for that articulated piece of writing. However, suffice it to say that I am neither a cynic nor a skeptic regarding Africa's ability to redeem itself. But I have also ceased to be a blind optimist having seen what I have seen on that continent and elsewhere.
Sadly, the 'oldest continent' on earth will be the last to flourish, if it does at all! Arbitrary borders, heterogeneous groupings, and the other diversities you mentioned are not necessarily unique to Africa. It has been said on this List before that countries like Indonesia, India, and presumably many Latin American countries also share our so-called 'peculiar' characteristics. We are all struggling to free ourselves from the shackles of bigger powers, but on different plat- forms.
When sport stadiums, streets, postal stamps, currencies, and many other national monuments and sites dynamically change names to bear those of the president and his spouse, you begin to realise that we in Africa have a long, long way to go. Sooner had we thought that progress is being made than we see a regression to older, unfortunate times--a reversion to the ominous cycle of coups, counter-coups, managed elections and political gerrymandering, eulogising the incumbent, then a state of reticence and uneasy calm, and again demonstrations and coups! Once that dust settles for the meantime, the balance sheet gets worse and the national profit statement sinks in deep red.
Be rest assured that I will arm myself with your suggestions for another 'round of talks' with my friends, but I doubt if these comments will extricate me from my disadvantaged position. It is good to be optimistic, and I want to be just that! Thanks.....
Lamin.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 19 Jul 1997 10:50:06 +0200 From: "Tor Blaha" <blaha@online.no> To: "gambia" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: help Message-ID: <199707190851.KAA16272@online.no> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Are the some people is living in Houston, Texas. They most be member of gambia mailing list.
Yours Tor
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Date: Sat, 19 Jul 1997 13:57:52 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'gambia-l@u.washington.edu'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: Colleagues in Japan? Message-ID: <01BC944C.23423C60@difm.qatar.net.qa> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="---- =_NextPart_000_01BC944C.23423C60"
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Good thinking,Mr.Sidibeh! Keep up the good work.
Regards Basss!
---------- From: Momodou S Sidibeh[SMTP:momodou.sidibeh@stockholm.mail.telia.com] Sent: 14/=D1=C8=ED=DA =C7=E1=C7=E6=E1/1418 03:57 =D5 To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List Subject: Colleagues in Japan?
Mr.Drammeh, I mistakenly deleted one of your latest postings a day or two ago. This relates to your concern about what to answer to those who lament the unpredictability of events in Africa, as compared to countries in other parts of the world.
I have a few suggestions, good or bad, should be up to you and other readers. First of all, tell your colleagues that inspite of our great = similarities, there is infact no other place like Africa: our ethnic diversity, the lingusitic patterns, the arbitrariness of borders, the evolution of political systems, the artificiality of institutions, the degree of = social stratification in different countries, and many other factors, all make social stability and political predictability seemingly precarious. Yet = it is infact possible to be at least cleverly suspicious of the course of events. The methods of analysis which work relatively well in other = parts of the world, seem to break down when applied to African conditions. It is very easy then to think our "problems" intractable. And if we believe = this ourselves, then we will be in the deep blue sea. I think we must see instead that it is these methods which are, perhaps, inadequate for Africa, = rather than depicting Africa as the "problem":
1. "Follow the Money"...Naturally, in many countries in Africa, class divisions are beginning to be well-defined but the bourgeoisie (where = there exists one deserving of the name), is relatively tiny and dependent on political structures. Industrialisation has not = progressed much and so the working class is small but growing and largely = unorganised. Only in few black African countries does a working class whose size and organisational strength can really threaten those in power. So it is = still largely a feudal set up co-existing with a pseudo-capitalist and = parasitic bureaucracy. Therefore, a class analyses of African countries is instructive but not sufficient. The parasitic nature of those in power makes them easy prey for control = by external gun-runners, so-called investors, and others looking for quick money - in mining, tourism, construction, etc. [Reality check: Even before Laurent Kabila took power on May 19th, = barely ten days earlier, a high-profiled group of seven Western investment = bankers (including representatives of Burtung Warburg and Deutsche Morgan = Grenfell - both of who sponsored Hitler's rise to power in the 30s) invited him = to a meeting in Lubumbashi. Prior to this American Mineral Fields Company of Canada had provided a personal plane for Kabila. AMF is investing less = than US$ 1billion in two mines that are worth at least 20 billion]
2. Look for unsettled violent ethnic histories....When th carnage began = on April 6th, 1994 in Rwanda, few seemed to remember what the Tutsis did to the Hutus in the 60s. They were hammering the heads of Hutus in police detention centres even as the UN was conferencing nearby. Of course it = all began long before that and the hands of the colonialists have been = bloody for generations. The madness that occured in ' 94 was the result of an outburst of extreme hatred internally repressed, collectively, by a very large majority for many many years. it was an Apartheid situation! = [Imagine what would have happened in South Africa if black people were = sufficiently armed as the changes were to take place, say, a few years before = Mandela's release from prison]. Of course what the Hutus did is UNJUSTIFIABLE, but = is not UNDERSTANDABLE??...Check for these kinds of unsettled histories at least amongst the dominant ethnic groups...
3.Look for religiou sects and social relations between dominant ethnic groups...Study for instance part of the problem in the conflict in = Senegal. The most obvious is certainly the matter of neglecting the Casamance in especially rural development. (Things have improved there now, = somewhat). But a less obvious issue is the relations of the majority Wollofs in the North and the Majority(?) Jolas in the South. For generations, the = latter worked for the former as domestic servants, errand and garden boys, and other menial workers in large towns in the North. Many of the young from the South found jobs mainly in the armed forces. A master servant = mentality must have developed during the past two generations and this has played = a significant psychological role in influencing Northern attitudes towards the Southerners. Unless things are quickly redressed, a conflict is inevitable eventually.
4.Finally, look for external manipulators - who would do ANYTHING for profit. Arms (from Britain, france, and Belgium) found there way into Rwanda even after the UN declared and embargo. This is important not = just because guns kill people, but because the MERE PRESENCE OF ARMS incites = its use against real or imagined enemies. =20 These are some points i think could help, even if the opposites are the correct items! Political scientists on the list could come with better suggestions. I am sure there are many other African "things" we all could look for in trying to predict events and explain them. If we for one moment believe that our behaviour and therefore our problems are incomprehensible, we = will be creating the greatest psychological hindrance to mobilise creative energies necessary for our solving them... Regards, Modou Sidibeh.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 19 Jul 1997 13:50:37 +-300 From: BASSIROU DODOU DRAMMEH <kolls567@qatar.net.qa> To: "'gambia-l@u.washington.edu'" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: RE: sorry for being late Message-ID: <01BC944C.208BF600@difm.qatar.net.qa> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="---- =_NextPart_000_01BC944C.20939720"
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Welcome to the Bantabaa,Marie Gillen! From now on,you will not have to = wait for the "get-together" to hear news from home.So,please take your = rightful place in this Penchabi!
Regards Bassss!=20
---------- From: Marie Gillen[SMTP:marie.gillen@swipnet.se] Sent: 13/=D1=C8=ED=DA =C7=E1=C7=E6=E1/1418 08:28 =E3 To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List Subject: sorry for being late
Hi evertbody! I have been added to the list by a friend of mine. And i have recieved so many mails without having time to reply because of summer classes and examines. Since i live in a remote place in Sweden i dont get much info about Gambians issues around here. Only once a year when we have our African getogether and looking forward one which is=20 going to take place the first of august and end the eight of august. We call it the African week.Sometimes next week i am gonna take my time to read the mail i have not had time to go through and send some comment on it. Thank you=20 Marie Gillen
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Date: Sat, 19 Jul 1997 13:54:10 +0200 From: "Momodou S Sidibeh" <momodou.sidibeh@stockholm.mail.telia.com> To: <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: SV: Colleagues in Japan? Message-ID: <199707191200.OAA15269@d1o2.telia.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
India alone has a population greater than all of Black Africa put together and we have to deal with nearly one third of all human languages. And I do not know of any other people, who on the basis of their skin colour have been transported across the seas in their millions to serve as slaves for centuries...the effect and scale of this kind of dismemberment, I cannot find amongst other people. Surely the numbers game here has a qualitative significance? It has also been mentioned on this list earlier that there is still a national identity crisis all over Africa. Regards, Momodou Sidibeh.
---------- > Från: binta@iuj.ac.jp > Till: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > Ämne: Re: Colleagues in Japan? > Datum: den 19 juli 1997 08:19 > > Mr. Sidibeh, > > Thanks for that articulated piece of writing. However, suffice it to > say that I am neither a cynic nor a skeptic regarding Africa's ability > to redeem itself. But I have also ceased to be a blind optimist having > seen what I have seen on that continent and elsewhere. > > Sadly, the 'oldest continent' on earth will be the last to flourish, if > it does at all! Arbitrary borders, heterogeneous groupings, and the > other diversities you mentioned are not necessarily unique to Africa. > It has been said on this List before that countries like Indonesia, > India, and presumably many Latin American countries also share our > so-called 'peculiar' characteristics. We are all struggling to free > ourselves from the shackles of bigger powers, but on different plat- > forms. > > When sport stadiums, streets, postal stamps, currencies, and many other > national monuments and sites dynamically change names to bear those of > the president and his spouse, you begin to realise that we in Africa > have a long, long way to go. Sooner had we thought that progress is > being made than we see a regression to older, unfortunate times--a > reversion to the ominous cycle of coups, counter-coups, managed > elections and political gerrymandering, eulogising the incumbent, then > a state of reticence and uneasy calm, and again demonstrations and > coups! Once that dust settles for the meantime, the balance sheet > gets worse and the national profit statement sinks in deep red. > > Be rest assured that I will arm myself with your suggestions for > another 'round of talks' with my friends, but I doubt if these comments > will extricate me from my disadvantaged position. It is good to be > optimistic, and I want to be just that! Thanks..... > > Lamin.
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Date: Sat, 19 Jul 1997 14:51:30 +0100 (BST) From: "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> To: binta@iuj.ac.jp Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <Pine.HPP.3.91.970719140208.19302A-100000@whale.students.stir.ac.uk> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
I hope Lamin's friends are not stereotyping Africa; saying that Africa's 'natural' state should not be disturbed, so that tourists from the west will always be in touch with 'nature' when they visit Africa.
If they do not hold such a view, then Lamin needs to explain to them that what we have in many African countries is an uneasy calm, what with the artificial borders, western governments playing one group of people against another, CIA sponsored coups, poverty and illiteracy.
How can Lamin's friends say, except perhaps out of ignorance, that countries like Sierra Leone, Zaire, Liberia and The Gambia were 'tranquil?' Let Lamin urge his friends to tell their governments to remove the many benefits (unemployment, child etc) that they are presently enjoying; make students pay for their education while at university and not after, when they have a good job; remove all forms of subsidy to their farmers, fishermen etc, and see whether a similar kind of situation like we are presently witnessing in Africa will not develop in the west.
Africa, like Europe, is not tranquil. It depends on where one finds oneself. The former Soviet Union, the former Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece and Turkey are all part of Europe. Even in the socalled 'tranquil' states in the west, secessionists, pseudo-religious and ' right wing' (They would have another name in Africa) movements of various sorts are threatening their stability. Many of these people do not work but receive money from the state, a far cry form the case in Africa where one person may be working to take care of ten people or more.
If Lamin's friends cannot help him think positively about his continent after centuries of slavery, colonialism and neo-colonialism, then they should shut up.
Thanks for reading, Momodou
On Wed, 16 Jul 1997 binta@iuj.ac.jp wrote:
> Bass, > > One does not have to agree with your entire piece on this difficult > subject, but you have made some fine analysis. Needless to say, the > involvement of government to create a level playing field for Gambians > to compete and bring the best out of themselves is necessary. Of > course I would have thought that you would call Akus, Serrer, Jola, > Fula, Jollof, Mandinka, and Sarahule ethnic groups and not tribes > (laugh)! But we must avoid generalisations about individual groups, > as Bass did. Rather than harnessing what Bass sees as his identified > good trait(s) in each group, I think judging a person on his own merit > provides a better way forward. Assess the individual and not what > group he belongs to. Read/see my message as coming from a person, not > from a person of an ethnic group. > > Sometime ago I read an article by Ali Mazrui in which he characterised > most of Africa as nations within States. By this he means, many of us > first pay allegiance to our ethnic groupings before the state. Sadly > though, the irony is that that very process of education that > seemingly erodes paying hommage to ethnic group continues to divide > us. I need not provide further proof of this! Yes education can bond > our states and nations into one, but in that process special attention > must be given to socialisation in the home. We must stop telling our > kids that one ethnic group is this and the other that; we must tell > our kids that the Gambia is such a minority country in the world that > very few outside the subregion know about; that we cannot afford to > stand individually; we must encourage our childen to become multi- > lingual within the Gambian framework. Above all this, we must teach > our kids to place premium on individual merit and not on ethnic group. > > Indeed the thought of Gambia degenerating into a state evidently > witnessed in other parts of Africa and the world is scary but not > impossible. History repeats itself because we fail to learn from it. > I hope that our leaders in the Gambia realise our concerns and do > nothing to forment ethnic hatred. But that must be seen to be done. > Politicising the country by paying lipservice to nation-building > cannot bring us together. African countries have a notoreity > of never climbing out of a slump once they start back-peddaling. I > hope our leaders act more with their head than with the heart. A > little narration here will presumably not hurt this discussion. Some > while ago I was discussing with a French colleague of mind here. Guess > what, the discussion was about wars and safety in the world. He and > many others ( of course non-Africans) were pointing fingers at the > carnage Africans are doing to themselves. Blood letting in Rwanda, > soaring crime in Cape Town, Lagos, and Nairobi... At this point I was > alreading fuming with rage for their parochialism, and I too went on > the attack: crime in New York, IRA in UK, the Basque in Spain, the > rebel groups all over Asia and Latin America... But my French friend > said something to me that I could not readily counter. This was what > he said: ' Lamin, we are not saying that the whole of Africa is in > turmoil. Neither are we saying that what is happening in Africa is > not found elsewhere. But we are concerned that the tranquility and > quietude in most of Africa evapourates in the twinkle of an eye. By > this i mean, you never know when war is going to break in an African > country. Look at Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zaire'. I went mum because I > knew he had a point. The evidence is overwhelming. Any dissenting > views on this? > > ***Food for thought*** > > Has anyone ever realsied that Black Africa is a minority race under > the broadest classification of races ( Mongoloid, Caucasian, Negroid)? > > Peace!! > > Lamin > > PS: I apologise for the use of the masculine gender in reference to > both sexes. >
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Date: Sat, 19 Jul 1997 15:08:03 +0100 (BST) From: "M. Njie" <mn015@students.stir.ac.uk> To: binta@iuj.ac.jp Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: Colleagues in Japan? Message-ID: <Pine.HPP.3.91.970719145907.19302B-100000@whale.students.stir.ac.uk> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Lamin,
Africa flourished before. Its turn may come again. As a historian once said, ' The rise and fall of nations are writ large on the pages of history...but progress is not a law of nature. The ground gained by one generation can be lost by the next.' That is why we no longer have the Roman empire, Mali empire, British empire etc.
Regards, Momodou
On Sat, 19 Jul 1997 binta@iuj.ac.jp wrote:
> Mr. Sidibeh, > > Thanks for that articulated piece of writing. However, suffice it to > say that I am neither a cynic nor a skeptic regarding Africa's ability > to redeem itself. But I have also ceased to be a blind optimist having > seen what I have seen on that continent and elsewhere. > > Sadly, the 'oldest continent' on earth will be the last to flourish, if > it does at all! Arbitrary borders, heterogeneous groupings, and the > other diversities you mentioned are not necessarily unique to Africa. > It has been said on this List before that countries like Indonesia, > India, and presumably many Latin American countries also share our > so-called 'peculiar' characteristics. We are all struggling to free > ourselves from the shackles of bigger powers, but on different plat- > forms. > > When sport stadiums, streets, postal stamps, currencies, and many other > national monuments and sites dynamically change names to bear those of > the president and his spouse, you begin to realise that we in Africa > have a long, long way to go. Sooner had we thought that progress is > being made than we see a regression to older, unfortunate times--a > reversion to the ominous cycle of coups, counter-coups, managed > elections and political gerrymandering, eulogising the incumbent, then > a state of reticence and uneasy calm, and again demonstrations and > coups! Once that dust settles for the meantime, the balance sheet > gets worse and the national profit statement sinks in deep red. > > Be rest assured that I will arm myself with your suggestions for > another 'round of talks' with my friends, but I doubt if these comments > will extricate me from my disadvantaged position. It is good to be > optimistic, and I want to be just that! Thanks..... > > Lamin. >
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Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 03:54:02 +0900 (JST) From: binta@iuj.ac.jp To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <199707191847.DAA24286@mlsv.iuj.ac.jp> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Mr. M. Njie,
Thanks for that piece. > I hope Lamin's friends are not stereotyping Africa; saying > that Africa's 'natural' state should not be disturbed, so that > tourists from the west will always be in touch with 'nature' > when they visit Africa.
This seems out of context under the circumstances and I will not say further on it!
>what we have in many African countries > is an uneasy calm, what with the artificial borders, western > governments playing one group of people against another, CIA > sponsored coups, poverty and illiteracy.
Oops! So, no peace in Africa, ha? When shall we achieve 'easy calm'? When shall we stop ourselves from being played into Western hands? And you blame the rest of the world for our poverty and illiteracy? Better we wake up! Even ODA is trying up! Mr. Njie, we cannot continue to look back and blame others for our ills. That is a no-win situation!
> How can Lamin's friends say, except perhaps out of > ignorance, that countries like Sierra Leone, Zaire, Liberia and > The Gambia were 'tranquil?'
I addressed this one above. I guess you are even more cynical than my 'ignorant friends'. At least they recognised that not all of Africa is constantly on fire!
>Let Lamin urge his friends to tell > their governments to remove the many benefits (unemployment, > child etc) that they are presently enjoying; make students pay > for their education while at university and not after, when > they have a good job; remove all forms of subsidy to their > farmers, fishermen etc, and see whether a similar kind of > situation like we are presently witnessing in Africa will not > develop in the west.
My friend, what do you mean by this? No social welfare, no aiding of the less privileged, etc? Now that doesn't sound good to me. The West has realised that free enterprise is not without pitfalls, and thank God they are trying to minimise those ills. Subsidies, student loans are ways of redistributing the national cake and I welcome it. Oh, how I wish we can do the same! > > If Lamin's friends cannot help him think positively about > his continent after centuries of slavery, colonialism and > neo-colonialism, then they should shut up. > Wow, what a statement! I am thinking alright, but I respect outisde views even if they contradict my mindset. I bet my friends know what they are talking about. Africans' understanding of Africa is a must, but unless we know how outsiders think about us--even when they display ignorance of the first degree--I dare say that we are far from catching up. For who else can see from without? As the saying goes, 'society is man's mirror'.
Thanks for reading thru this 'junk'. Nonetheless, like many others I am not a doomsday prophet. But a little pinch is necessary! Comments from others on this subject is most welcome. 'The more, the merrier'.
Lamin
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Date: Sat, 19 Jul 1997 17:06:08 -0400 (EDT) From: Salifuj@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: (PART6) THE CANCER OF LANGUAGE AND TRIBE IN AFRICA Message-ID: <970719170606_-157135516@emout13.mail.aol.com>
Lamin Drammeh wrote:
> Mr. M. Njie wrote:
> >what we have in many African countries > > is an uneasy calm, what with the artificial borders, western > > governments playing one group of people against another, CIA > > sponsored coups, poverty and illiteracy. > > Oops! So, no peace in Africa, ha? When shall we achieve 'easy calm'? > When shall we stop ourselves from being played into Western hands? > And you blame the rest of the world for our poverty and illiteracy? > Better we wake up! Even ODA is trying up! Mr. Njie, we cannot > continue to look back and blame others for our ills. That is a > no-win situation!
Lamin, Ofcourse there is peace but we have not learned to tolerate it yet. It seems as though you are mocking your own kind in dismay. Instead of looking the other way, I think we need to grow up and accept Africa's shortcomings as our own resposiblity but we cannot forget who caused the jeopardy. It would be unadulterated ignorance to keep blaming Africa and Africans for the misfortunes that were founded centuries ago. While I agree that Africans themselves MUST change Africa, the tribal marks of slavery will remain in the history books as an identity for all Africans throughout the remainder of this world. It's not as simple as you seem imply. Poverty and illiteracy all resulted from the dilema of being deprived of resourceful men and women who were forced to abandon their tranquil domiciles to be used as slaves else where in a more vigorous world. These men and women were to be our scientists, doctors, teachers, politicians and so forth. Instead, the continent fell into chaos where it would take centuries to restabilze the society. The result of this was a damnation of the African continent.
> > How can Lamin's friends say, except perhaps out of > > ignorance, that countries like Sierra Leone, Zaire, Liberia and > > The Gambia were 'tranquil?' > > I addressed this one above. I guess you are even more cynical than > my 'ignorant friends'. At least they recognised that not all of > Africa is constantly on fire!
Absolute ignorance! Sounds just like the westerner who asked the African if ALL Africans still live in tree branches :=))).
> > If Lamin's friends cannot help him think positively about > > his continent after centuries of slavery, colonialism and > > neo-colonialism, then they should shut up. > > > Wow, what a statement! I am thinking alright, but I respect outisde > views even if they contradict my mindset. I bet my friends know > what they are talking about. Africans' understanding of Africa is > a must, but unless we know how outsiders think about us--even when > they display ignorance of the first degree--I dare say that we are > far from catching up. For who else can see from without? As the saying > goes, 'society is man's mirror'.
You have the right to believe in what you see. But some images maybe exaggerately distorted as you have tried to show. What if the mirror isn't really a mirror but just some object that reflects not the truth but some image of preference? We all know what the outsiders think of Africa. In the other faces of the world, Africans are nothing more than "savages" that live in a jungle. This is evidenced by broadly exaggerated documentaries you see about Africa on TV. When was the last time you saw anything "good" being said abot Africa??? I also bet that your so called friends maybe influencing you into accepting your identity as inferior to theirs.
> Thanks for reading thru this 'junk'. Nonetheless, like many others I am > not a doomsday prophet. But a little pinch is necessary! Comments from > others on this subject is most welcome. 'The more, the merrier'.
It's not junk but what you see. Your points are well taken into consideration though.
Peace! -Sal
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Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 07:22:43 +0900 (JST) From: binta@iuj.ac.jp To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Sierra Leone Message-ID: <199707192215.HAA24730@mlsv.iuj.ac.jp> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Greetings! Lamin.
Hope Rises For An End To Sierra Leone Crisis
July 19, 1997
Paul Ejime, PANA Correspondent
Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire (PANA) - There are indications of peaceful resolution to the political crisis in Sierra Leone following two days of talks between officials of the country's military junta and ministers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The talks ended in Cote d'Ivoire ended Friday.
The talks were cordial, and after rank exchanges, there is every hope of a peaceful resolution, delegates at the meeting, attended by the foreign ministers of Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria, told PANA.
The ministers are from the ECOWAS Committee of our nations set up to try and reverse the May 25 coup by junior military officers against the elected government of President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah.
The junta was represented by a nine-member delegation that included the foreign minister, Pallo Bangua, S.B. Rogers of the coalition Revolutionary United Front and Cpl. Tamba Gborie, the man who announced the military takeover.
The coup has been condemned by the international community, which wants Kabbah restored.
Both sides at the talks, the first direct contact, are guarding their utterances so as not to jeopardise the dialogue, one delegate said.
We are looking for a peaceul solution and from the tone of the discussion, this could be achieved in due course, said the delegate, who requested not to be named.
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Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 00:50:19 -0400 (EDT) From: EStew68064@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Sambujang -Dr. David Gamble Message-ID: <970720005019_-291237360@emout16.mail.aol.com>
David Gamble, also known as Sambujang sends his greetings and wants to let people know that although he is getting old, he's still alive and well! Please send a message if you remember him and want to get in touch.
Cheers Liz Stewart FAtti
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End of GAMBIA-L Digest 77 ************************* |
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