The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, Tuesday signed a US$210 million Framework Agreement with the Government of the Gambia for financing over a three-year period.
The agreement is to support key economic sectors, including energy, through the importation of refined petroleum products, and agriculture, through the importation of fertilizer and the provision of pre-export financing for agricultural produce notably, groundnuts and cashew nuts, the main agricultural produce/exports of the country.
Signed by Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, chief executive officer of ITFC and Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, vice president and minister for Women’s Affairs of the Gambia, the agreement will also extend the cooperation with the Gambia to trade development programmes for poverty reduction by providing technical and/or financial support for capacity building, information exchange and knowledge dissemination.
Speaking at the ceremony, the chief executive officer of ITFC, Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol said: “The continuation of this important cooperation reaffirms ITFC’s proven strategy of investing in key economic sectors in our member countries, and thus contributing towards member countries’ development objectives.”
Since inception in 2008, ITFC has approved a total of 30 financing operations for the Gambia for a total of US$437 million. On the trade development area, Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol , indicated that ITFC is currently studying a request to undertake a very important trade development program for the Aflatoxin mitigation in the Gambia.
This pilot project aims at eradicating the Aflatoxin fungus and enhancing the quality of the groundnut produced in the Gambia for local consumption and export into the European and other international markets. Based on the result of the this pilot program, ITFC will study the possibility for its extension to the national level.
In her remarks, the vice president and minister for Women’s Affairs, Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, thanked ITFC for its continued support and affirmed that the Gambia is seeking to improve its economy to consolidate economic growth, create jobs, and build a better future for its people.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).
I hope that we won’t waste this money and opportunity. In particular we ask that the VP not allow the officials at GIEPA have anything to do with this money. It will be a terrible mistake.
God Bless The Gambia
Would this money will do any help to the fisheries department, and to make sure fishing industry stay alive and affordable to the poors .
A gateway to CORRUPTION. The money will be there to be consumed in illicit conferences, sensitization seminars, per diem emoluments, petrol bills and all the nitty and clandestine manoeuvres to illicitly get something into their pockets. Woeful criminals, fearless and deplorable cheats who always anoint their pockets on the sweat of the POOR.
Babu Soli
Those who live in a glass house shouldn’t be throwing stones. A die hard supporter of Yahya Jammeh have no moral justification to label Barrow’s government corrupt.The man whose lofty achievement you praise sing daily amassed for himself 149 landed properties, 14 Companies, countless number of bank accounts, 30 million Dollars mansion in USA in 22 years. The amount of money stolen by Jammeh and his cronies could have built us many power stations, hospitals, schools, water treatment facilities etc, but blind loyalist fools like Babu instead of repenting for aiding and abetting the most corrupt administration in the history of our nation wants us to believe in their new evil narrative. You are going to fail Babu just as your evil master Jammeh failed when he wanted to cling unto power after being disgracefully voted out.Moral high ground will never be the esteemed position of the one who is a diehard supporter of devil Jammeh.
May Allah bless our great nation.
Thank you Mr Babu for waking up from your 22 years of slumber and just finding out about corruption and bad governance. we may not have been in this mess had you and your likes showed moral courage over the last 22 years
My advice to SG Drammeh and President Barrow is that where they have their hearts and minds behind empowering Gambian youth to become self-reliant, the administration must enable structures and facilities that will, through acts of the legislature, enable borrowing/access to seed money to put bright ideas, targeting key sectors of the economy, into action/fruition. Surgical and tangible interventions are called for and not generic, self-serving and haphazardly designed interventions that ultimately become a honey pot for all and sundry.
Where we assume, as per Isatou Touray and Fatoumata Tambajang that the Government of The Gambia (GOTG) must and should take the lead in pointing and leading our youth to miracle waters, we are not and will never be in the business of building resilient leadership in the private sector with this mindset.
Listen, government must get out of the business of creating projects and keeping a finger in every pot, ostensibly in the belief that government knows what’s best for the youth. The approach assumes that Gambian youth are devoid of bright ideas and/or creative minds. Nothing could be further from the truth!
I read recently that The Gambia will be hosted at what’s labeled, FIRST ANNUAL GAMBIANS IN AMERICA – INVESTMENT – FINANCING – ENTREPRENEURSHIP – FORUM FOR NEW GAMBIA to be held, January 30 to February 5, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia in partnership with the AMERICAN CHAMBER (AMCHAM- GAMBIA).
A grand scheme with well crafted words to afford Gambians the opportunity to establish linkages and create investment opportunities in various sectors of the economy.
However and sadly, the efforts at promoting the event ahead of time are mediocre at best and the event is packed full of politicians, GCCI officials, Senior Civil Servants, shady consultants with links to Abdoulie Bax Touray’s Sahel network (AMCHAM-GAMBIA Chairperson) and a host of agents from local Non-Profit agencies.
A sad and very unfortunate move for Gambian youth, budding and aspiring youth entrepreneurs that must be centerpiece of this undertaking.
Here’s my problem with The Gambia doing business as usual with the same old faces resurfacing again and taking up/usurping valuable opportunities for young Gambian entrepreneurs.
I want to challenge the US Embassy and other donors to demand that AMCHAM-GAMBIA shows tangible evidence that the Atlanta Forum is worth the investment and worth its salt at the end of the day.
Abdoulie Bax Touray and cohorts must make clear that they are investors as in Sahel Investments, consultants and/or development agents for their role in this endeavor smacks of conflicts of interest all over.
This Gambia must seek the uplifting of all Gambians and not a selected and well connected individuals that keep waving the flag of “Youth Empowerment and Youth Employment” clearly on the premise that they have access to forums that enable their selfish aims and objectives. The cronyism and favoritism must be cut out in The New Gambia!
Large sums of money are being spent on per diem allowances and overseas travel expenses but sadly, at the end of the day, the whole effort amounts to self-aggrandizement, self-serving strategies and the willful plunder of national resources all over again!!
The good heads in The Gambia and abroad must bring pressure to bear on the Barrow administration to put a stop to the wholesale dishing out of donor funds in what amounts to putting good money after the bad.
We may appear to be lone preachers in the wilderness but we will, by the same token, keep a close watch and also keep delivering the appropriate sermons.
Bourne, I am sure that beneath all the saber rattling and belligerence, there’s a good heart sitting inside of Babu Soli. Just as the kind Soli brother and timber merchant that I ran into recently in The Gambia.
Or would Jack and Bajaw say that I’m wrong on this thought? Y’all smile!!
Sure Andrew; in my fervent conviction, I totally believe you are wrong on this one; how can a self-confessed kanilai killer & equal Kufing Satan devils disciple possess such a heart will always elope my compression; we may afford not to put ourselves (oneself) but I strongly believe Babu Soli will be totally different to his current stance & utterances if any of the direct victims murdered in cold blood by kanilai yaya Evileness were his own blood relatives….
Andrew Nkoh, Yaamira E Ning Chaalo (kombo Turaagh) mangnaah bang kabo nang Gambia kabirring E sayeto (murungto) nang; Wangteh (wangla) foh yaa aadannatambi dommoh baakeh leh, bang for…?
Rectification please – we may afford not to put ourselves (oneself) in the victims’ shoes but I strongly believe Babu Soli will be totally different to his current stance & utterances if any of the direct victims murdered in cold blood by kanilai yaya Evileness were his own blood relatives….
Thanking you
Babu, sometime back were you commenting on this medium before in name of Radiokankang?
Rectification please – my comprehension – not compression…
Bajaw, it’s you that’s looking down on the lowly Kombo Tuuraa. Otherwise called Kombo Suturo together with the Brikama Duuto.
Unfortunately, Duuta Sanjango Bang Taleh Kabiring Mbe Jek, Bari Nga Chaalo W Dorkuu Leh Kendekeh.
Bajaw, remember what’s called Tiyajii? A dish that was the favorite of Kambia Kebaalu?
Well, there was also the Kombo Chaalijii that was only Chaalo, water and salt served over a bowl of rice (Banyango/Nyankatang Kero). Embellished with a little Tulu Say goes a long way in Bojang Kunda to make the dish finger licking good for Kombo Kebaalu from Naarang to Bakau. You know the origin of the words Chaaali Fry Bandiyo?
You Bajaw mentioned the words Kombo Tuura. I didn’t so Mbeh Daa Fix LALEH!!
So Kombo Suturo Siifalu Sita Taleh DEH! Can’t say more lest the folks from Tujereng and Demba Duu come looking for poor Andrew.
No Andrew, I’m not lookingdown, more so talkingdown (belittling) the legendary kombo tuuraa (chaalo) but rather very proud & grateful to nature for it; it’s very vitally essential for food security for the average family unit throughout the whole country & region in extension; not to mention the nutritious supplement on consumption for the individual healthy lives & the communities…
It’s indeed a force (natural resource) to reckon with; the main reason why kaabu nkolu throng & settle in the kombo areas in their numbers; Chaalo is equally a Native like every other Gambian citizen & will forever remain in the positive part of our (Gambian) history…
Now you owned up to overloading yourself (with eating it) whilst on your home visit; I’m afraid, that’s why you might think Babu has any good heart at all, for the greater Gambia & subregional community instead of his evil murderer Idols; who are interred with the most evil part of our collective history indelibly…
Bourne, I think Andrew is now tentatively suffering from the withdrawal symptoms of too much (overloaded) Chaalo consumption whilst on holidays….
I only wonder (struggle to understand) what future Babu prays or intends for his own family, relatives &/ loved ones, if not for the greater peasantry community of humanity in the Gambia, if any at all…
What is crystally very clear is that, the Gambia have more than enough selfless citizens in resilient endeavours, passing the batons unto following generations into posterity; & in collaboration with the regional & international communities to ensure that the deadly lessons so far experienced are not allowed any chance of recurrence/s ever again, in naivety…
God bless Gambia…
Bajaw, to my story, the Chaalo is the common bond for us all and the age old reason to bury the ethnic hatchet in the effort to revv up our economy.
Yes, I partook of the Kombo delicacy together with the Tujereng Nyambo and HAKUU (Krio) sauce to the extent that I may have come back dazed.
However, it was clear in my mind after a good dose of what I called BULU KUNTU that Kombo must rise up to the occasion, KA MANGMANG in the quest to assume the rightful leadership role that Kombo has always played in the Gambian political and other arenas.
After all Kombo fed everyone, from time immemorial with Chaalo, Tambajango and Kungkelengo!
That’s the reason the CHAALI MURO has become so small on account of over harvesting by Njoofen and Saarren
It’s about time that the Kingkas and Jarrankolu also pay Kombo back and indeed all the BANABANOLU from Jamburu, Kunjuru and Jambanjelly.
The same CHAALI MURO will be employed to send clear messages to Darbo, KEH SUTUNGO, Barrow, KONO BAA and team if they don’t work to deliver on the goods soon enough!
Let’s not forget that Kombo coined the song, PERESIDENT BONDO TEH BAAYILA!
Y’all get my drift here?
Hey Mr Bourne, there’s no hype/over praise about the legendary Chaalo at all; I will take all you may stake on a bet if you dare that I can eat as much chaalo completely blindfolded in darkness, without any bony hitches encounters; maybe you need some coaching on how one’s mouth can sieve the bones away properly when eating but I’m afraid, will have to cost you for the lessons unfortunately; that’s the foremost lesson kaabu nkolu enroll to learn fast once in kombo; luckily for them it’s free, there’s no fees levied because of their special status in kombo…
The Legend (chaalo) is the National symbol, Bourne, but yes, we surely need improvement & explore ways to make better qualitative fish(es) species out in the sea affordable to the peasantry ‘commoners’ on the average…
Sadly, most of the sea resources explore & management (industry) aren’t given the necessary interests & engagement by the Gambia youth in particular for a livelihood & properly managed for the peasantry population & the national good but mainly engaged by other nationals residents; not to mention about the national officials ‘auctions’ on unrestricted blind overfishing exploitations, among all; even when illegal fishing trawlers are caught including use of illegal nets only to bin away the dead young fishes caught in the course to waste contrary to regulations; they can buy their way out in briberies, defrauding the nation & community undeservingly…
The reality, Bourne, is you can’t afford not to acknowledge the legendary chaalo to always staying on the peasantry population’s side, in low cost compensation for the nutritional supplement requirements & balance, for the majority of Gambians under the worsening situation…
Hear yourself there, acknowledge missing the famous ‘Gorom Soup’, what about Ebbeh & others too…?
Don’t unwritten the chaalo yet; it’s a permanent Native, tied navels-together, to the Gambia from origin, into posterity…
Bourne, I’m pretty sure Bajaw isn’t alone in that…
Spending a significant chunk of my time trekking up & down all regions in the Gambia, I observe the essence & significance Chaalo plays in food security & nutritional health of the community in general…
There’re times, I will observe the general mood of the community in the various regions, especially in the provinces swings when & where the bonka trucks fail to show up from the kombos…
It applies significant financial & psychological pressure on the family breadwinners & supporting collaborators, particularly those in charge of going to the market to cook for the family; not to mention the middle traders who buys in bulk from the trucks to sell locally to make their livings….
Yes, it’s quite bony but it’s the most affordable to the great majority in the local communities; it’s legendary in sense that most people may not be able to identify & name most other fish species but every Gambian knows & can easily identify the Chaalo…
Sure, you absolutely wright Bourne; the fish industry deserves the much needed attention as I already acknowledged before, for better management & improvements to ensure a sustainable replenishment of the depleted sea resources for the nutritional requirements of the population for healthy lives & the economic growth for positive national gains….
I’m being bit jovial to describe the chaalo but we can’t afford not to agree the crucial void that chaalo filled in the unfortunate situation, in complementary compensation, as ‘safety net’ if you like, for most of the peasantry population for their inaccessibility to the rest of the ‘better’ fish species due to lack of proper national management of the country’s water resources including the river Gambia too….
But the problem can’t be properly handled by government effectively without the participation of the Gambian youth in particular; majority of our local fishermen in the kombo areas are other national residents who will rather be more concerned with maximising their income generation rather than play strictly by the rules set for preservation/conservation of the younger fishes to ensure the continuity of the chain necessarily for equilibrium/balance between availability, supply & affordability “to the public for the vital source of protein…
Prior to my employment with the government in the 80s, I briefly worked for a foreign company (which is now defunct) in shrimp culture (growing shrimp) for export only; it was the company policy commercially, to apply poison in the main waste water pond where all the water drained daily from the rearing tanks to kill any of the crustaceans that happen to escape in the draining process before dumping the water out in the sea; the type of shrimp farmed was native to India & Sri Lanka area; being sturbon at the time, I took upon myself a national duty contrary to my employment regulations & risked; whenever I was on night shift in the nursery, I will use the net to get as much of the shrimp in the tank as possible & took opportunity of the opening in the hatchery fence & ran as fast as I could, to go & release the little shrimp into the sea; on one of my visits to the beach in the particular coastal area in 2002, I’m grateful to know that particular specy is now breeding & being caught by local fishermen out in the sea…
Relevantly to say, the sea resources would be better managed when our youth assume the responsibility in ownership, to complement in addition to engage with the government for better management & improvements but not left entirely to the authorities with the youth’s current lack of the much needed interest & attention required; while demanding for the expected proper management & reap the disered results from the government alone who have their plate already more than filled to brim….
Bourne, I won’t be taking the shrimp introductory risk, no matter how sturbon I were, had I been employed in another country differently at the time; the much needed youthful participation alongside government responsibility is the remedy to the fisheries sector amongst the rest; there & then could we have selfless independent players towards national development, in ensuring dedicated checks & balances as to the official reports, some of which are necessarily ‘polished’ not by general official government design/manipulation but by individualst interests of the overseeing officials at the times, etc etc among other fallible corruptible shortsights…
Could we imagine keeping Legendary Chaalo totally out of equation & visualise how our situation would have faired nationally; in terms of food security & protein deficiency of the peasantry population; as to our well-being for life quality & expectancy overall; then we would’ve credited Chaalo the much needed accolades required for the desired relevant National Treasure…
Sure Bourne, we are absolutely together; on our Constitutional demand & expectations of governments as required; but it’s equally incumbent upon the self/person/individual, (in this case the able youthful population) to live up to expectations & self-challenge upon ourselves (oneself) to contribute our required quotas diversely, towards societal advancement & greater national development…
It’s surely governments’ responsibility to provide such framework as the elected entrusted bodies but equally the citizens responsibility too in completing the components crucially to catalize development, for better realisation of the end-products & desired results…
It’s naive for us to demand & expect Gambia (in this case the government/s) to religiously provide flawlessly for the citizenry as expected, without our much needed different individual self-taskings & challenges to fully participate; it’s quite impossible for all to be employed formally in offices & the likes…
Bourne, the average Gambia youth do spend much time on Attaya vous, in false bravado about ‘Babylon envisaged dreams’ among the lofty ideals…
Yes, government need to do more but the very same could equally be said about the lukewarm attitude of the able-bodied youth too; in assuming responsibility for complimenting the development endeavours; which is the only positive route to effective realisation towards the collective envisaged progression…
God bless Gambia….
Yes, I agree Bourne; African governments in particular need to do better, to give foundation & platform for a vibrant youthful population to enjoin development efforts; that’s why the public can take stocks to judge governments & goes to the polls periodically to collectively mandate politicians entrusted with public responsibilities…
Also, equally it’s the youth’s responsibility too to take up available challenges on the ground; our fishing industry is mainly engaged by other resident nationals, literally shunned preferentially & looked down upon by the youthful Gambian population; the other nationals are actually making livings out of the industry for their livelihoods; what about our youth who could do the same while treating it better as our very own, in safeguards to preservation & conservation for prosperous continuity for the greater community together…
If not, we’ll be voting politicians in & out of office continuously; running round in circles, without the much desired headways & successful breakthroughs envisaged; with our current national status levels, it’s the national duty for all & sundry to call ourselves to actions together, in our diversity in all areas; to move forward in realisation for meaningful progress…
No Bourne, you may have misconstrued; I never sided nor defended the politicians about corruptible flamboyance at any point of time & never will I; I never disagreed with you on that & have indicated above several times on our exchanges all above that we are together on that; so (may be misunderstanding but) there’s no disagreements between us at all on that…
It’s our constitutional rights to hold politicians as public trustees to account; critique & critisise them whenever & wherever deemed necessary for the public good as all contributions & commentators are doing across the media outlets…
The general political attitudes as compared to other advance areas are rather, in my believe, due to lack of proper civic awareness in the country; but where even that hampers/impaires, there’re the political cycles for general & local government elections citizenry to replace the incompetent politicians for new bloods; Bourne, remember the advance countries came a long way to get where they are currently; so we too will progress eventually but I’m afraid we’ll have travel bit more to elevation; & that’s not achievable by mere criticisms on politicians alone but through dedicated of all & sundry in collaboration…
After when the shrimp farm I briefly worked for abruptly shut down due to abusive mismanagement & in between (before) working for government, I also briefly worked for an agricultural farm in Touba kuta village as a farmhand, occasionally literally tilling the soil physically with my bare hands (with my GCE certificate qualification) at the time; one Habib Cham was the farm supervisor at the time; I only left that job after applying for another job with government; so what ‘lack of education’ are we on (talking) about with the youth; yes, I believe the quality especially in the middle school levels needs improvement….
Bourne, it’ll be quite unreal, if we are to blame the politicians entirely for all our predicaments generally & in naivety, expect a turn round the corner for better; I’m definitely not talking down the youth (if anyone misunderstands) but calling upon them in good faith, to rise up & self-challenge & always task themselves (oneself) & please do away with daydream at the Attaya vous…
We can keep shifting all the blame upon politicians & use our inalienable power (voting rights), to vote all the politicians into & out of office but which alone will not get us anywhere much, apart from changing faces politically, without the necessary attitudinal changes required in the general masses, which is crucially the youth, who are the backbone of the larger society towards complementing national development for realistic realisation of progress…
Rectification please – occasionally literally tilling the soil physically with a local hoe in my bare hands…
Thanking you…
Bourne, in short, the Gambian are one-blood; that’s why it burns my heart LITERALLY, whenever any ‘anti-human’ stirs at inferno for the homeland; why do we have to, when there’re constitutional options available at our collective disposal to sort out; political stability (coupled with the rest of the state & other organs) is the only key to any development…
I worked in both the Hatchery & Farm for ScanGambia (Sanyang & Pirang); I was (preveleged) opportuned to present the life-shrimp to Old Boy Jawara on a visit to the hatchery; the poor Dude, missed his steps on exit from my room & nearly fall, tumbled down the drain channel; only to be caught up firmly right back up again by the guard & others in the entourage waiting by the door; the Old Dude was himself in stitches of laughter in the process, while I literally placed both hands on my gob (mouth) to suppress mine; how I felt like kicking the guard & those who catch (caught) him; (haven’t they spoiled it for me?) otherwise, I would’ve claimed that baton right from him & ask him to retire the crown to me, since even a mere wind I sent (to test his strength) across my door is stronger than him…¿ Sarcastic humour with my Old boy Jawara aside; Scan was foreign company, defunct due to institutional corruption but principally a network of the general & deputy managers by design; all of whom were other nationals; not to say the other ‘pen-pushing’ officials too can be completely exonerated; Scan was very vibrant as you already knew but couldn’t be sustained by the investing shareholders; in short, the company will produce the shrimps (with all the underhands & evidential mismanagement); to be shipped to the UK & other European countries & sold; only to doctor up some clandestine documents alleged some of the shrimp produce shipments were ‘dumped’ due to one cookie reason/another; this was persistent during my time of employment in the two of so years I worked for them; the donors ended throwing the towel in & admitted defeat & own up to the loss & withdrew funding…
I kept continued visiting Sanyang beach whenever I trekked or passby in the area; to follow up the materialisation of the (my unauthorised) ‘illegal’ shrimp introduced into the sea; after exchange of pleasantries with a fishmonger in 2002 who assumed I wasn’t familiar with the area, I explained I worked in the area before & he responded ‘the shrimps were being caught by local fishermen out in the sea; only for him to shout beckoning & calling my attention when I moved away for a walk about; there I was staring at the shrimp freshly caught in a basket; I offered the monger to sell me a (one) piece but he declined; that it’s part of a supply for a middleman for the hotels & due to be picked up the following day; no ludicrous amount I offered, would tempt the man; he acknowledged, he was tempted, but as a one of, it’ll spoil the trust between him & the other agent…
Bourne, what we are ‘entitled to’ (as supposed from government/s) politically as expected, is far from the reality in existence; so if we think the governments or different politicians will provide all the required answers religiously in totality & fixed the aspirations, that’s dream farfetched, in my little opinion; governments can only dispensate under critiques & criticism (as we’re currently doing) & do for the people halfway with mandated responsibilities including & not limited to those you already highlight here-in; then there’s our inalienable option constitutionally to periodically access (judge) sitting government/s & entrust politicians through elections based on opinions collectively; the other most crucial bit of the jigsaw are the (self-task /challenge) willingness of the youth to complement & catalyse the progression into realistic realisation; self-motivation inclusion equally complement any progression anywhere…
My concern with government about the NCCE is the relevance of the effectiveness of this sacrosanct constitutional provision; NCCE require adequate resourcing; an executive minister, for example, may have more than one functional vehicle at anytime; what about much needed civic awareness education…?
I will chime in briefly to add that endemic poverty and the dearth of proper perspectives on the part of leadership are some The Gambia’s worst enemies.
Can we imagine how many light bulbs and bright ideas go Bing, Bing everyday on the part of the youth everyday but they couldn’t put ideas into action on account of the shortage or lack thereof of resources?
I would also add that a good chunk of the new investment in The Gambia is funded through foreign remittances from family and friends. Not local bank lending!
A good Kotokeh of mine likes to say, “Demba Ferreh Ta, Demba Ferreh Ta, Bari Ning Munafango Taa Abulu, WO FERRO NAFAA LEH”??
Here lies the conundrum for Gambian youth and the challenge for the coalition government.
By the way, Bajaw and Bourne, I just finished a hefty serving of Kombo Tuura Chaali Fryo (that I brought frozen) and that has served as a pep up that lit several idea bulbs in my head!
I will ask Bajaw to coin a song for the ubiquitous Chaalo. Julo Teye Bajaw!
You’re not related to Fabakary Naaring? Are you Bajaw?
Mbang Wuulengkeh Andrew; my ‘neck’ isn’t sweet enough…
I do ponder how you Bourne in particular, miss the fine art of chaalo eating; Andrew walks down to the beach for it in Brufut, freshly from sea…
Andrew, please post one chaalo to Buba Sanyang; I bet he won’t be peeling the bones out; probably, Bourne, you definitely need consulting Buba for lessons…
Oh Bourne, don’t worry about my throat at all.
Chaalo eating is an art that’s learnt from childhood in the Kombos.
A bone stuck in the throat is no sweat as all you do is scream Serrero, clear your throat once or twice and the pesky bone is on its way out. Or Bajaw, a Tongto Haabu from a brother or uncle does the trick.
Once Chaalo is in the mouth of connoisseurs, the bones come out one side of the mouth and the meat goes down the gullet free of pesky bones. That’s when Kombonkas say, Yaa Nunkundi Leh.
I will be glad to share my stash of Chaalo with my pal Buba Sanyang who may already be drooling at the thought of the delicacy on his dinner plate. His will be an absolute GARATEH (pulverization) of the Bonga.
Just mind your habitual trouble causing again, Andrew; the Serers will come after you in their numbers & give you a kaabila busaro…
Your friend Buba Sanyang is bit silent; heh, Suulu (he’s a wolf); you never know, he may have stumbled on & getting overloaded on something edible somewhere; I just hope, he won’t be leaving his shirt (at the place) behind this time when leaving…
Oh no! Buba may be a Suluu like all Kiangkas but is also a fine young man.
The fact remains, Bajaw, that all young Kombonkas are HABU JATTA!
That’s the reason for the perennial DUUTA KAMBANIYAA at the all popular DUUTA KUROLU proving grounds!!
You know why I call the Duuta Kuro the Kombo proving ground Bajaw!
And don’t quietly call me a Kebaa Bandiyo or else I will come get you Bajaw. Smile!
Munna Chonchong-To yaa bullah Andrew (miserable trouble causer)…
It’s the kaabu nkolu who mostly frequent the Duuta kurolu in their numbers during the mango seasons; they (kaabu nkolu) also turn into the bats at night, to devour the delicious kombo mangoes…
However, we are yet to experience any kaabu nka turning into baboons to attack & beat us in our homes in desputes over duuto…
Well Bourne, in every language, there’re colloquial expressions that are learned by tagging along with locals and getting immersed in the local language and the Rang Rang.
There are also idiomatic expressions not only in English but most languages too.
So Bourne, if I may draw upon my days as a literary scholar, before I became as rusty as an old nail, Habu is neither short for Habibu nor is this Jatta connected with the surname Jatta.
So Bourne, it will be your homework assignment to decipher this puzzle my dear friend. Feel free to bounce thoughts off of your pal Karang Bajaw. OK :-))
Bourne ‘Habu jatta’ means gargantuan (greedy) eaters; ‘Habu’ is greedy & ‘jatto’ being a lion (as king of the jungle); so a combination of the word ‘Habu jatta’ means greedy, big, huge, colossal/gargantuan eater; Andrew is a big Chonchong-To…
Well, Karang Bajaw, always good to share knowledge with pals.
I see that you’re claiming your rightful place as a Kombo Duuringo. Haha.
Now Bajaw, would you understand when I say, Awuye, A Longaabo, A Cham A Cham.
That’s Kombonka too!
Your Chaalo in the FUTU DAA JIYO (a Kombo Kebaa favorite) awaits you when you pass the foregoing test.
Looks karoninka? I’m not conversant to be honest Andrew…
I had childhood friends, unfortunately who all spoke back in response to their parents but generally speak mandinka in everything & everywhere even to the very same parents at home; I can try my hand on mandinka, wolof, English & little bit of French, the last two from school; can understand scanty bit of fula & jola too but can’t converse anything…
Regrettably in hindsight, I would love to have pushed myself more to learn as many of the local languages for obvious reasons…
I’m mandinka in both parents; along the lines, one of my grandmothers had a mother from fula tribe & another from jola descendent; that’s what I know so far from narration; but digging far back beyond what I have been told, due to intermarriages in the community, there’s a very likelihood of other tribes in traces too in my DNA & blood as a mandinka…
Which Gambian can claim differently that they belong to single monolithic tribe all the way back from descendants…
The (my) jola great-grandmother descendant originally was from the very same karoninka tribe; I did see & still do have very fond memories of this poor woman who was my grandmother’s mother; she lived quite long years…
Bajaw, your Chaalo and FUTU DAA JIYO awaits you!
You nailed it. That was indeed Karoninka!
I will concede that old Bajaw has got enough street savvy to join the ranks.
Welcome aboard pal and work to get Bourne on board too!
He appears to be a WAA JU SETT LOHO. The crafty Bourne. Hahaha!