Once Bitten, Twice Shy - A Critical Look Into The Convoluted Gambian Psyche

Legends are mythical characters who awe and shock mere mortals whilst in their midst. Musa Afia Ngum Aka Bala Jiggi Musa was a legend in his own right whose music and philosophy was seemingly misunderstood by mainstream society. He had a unique Gambian sound that propelled him to international notoriety. The death of Musa Ngum once again opens a painful chapter in our lives as Gambians that we need to revisit. When I hear names such as Lalo Kebba Drammeh, Paps Touray and Malando Gassama, I feel very low of my Gambian-ness and wonder what the xxxx is wrong with us as a collective. A posthumous tribute to Musa Ngum by the Gambia will be a great dis-service to his work and person for he needed the public to support his work when he was productively working. The respect, love and support our dearly departed Musa Afia Ngum enjoyed from our bretheren across the border should put us to shame. kufii deff lu baah nyou waah koh and that's why our Senegalese cousins celebrated Musa Ngum. That's Senegal for you a country with substance whose nationalistic tendencies are second to none in Africa. The polity is civil and not destructive unlike their bretheren across the border. My admiration for the Senegalese is their level of political maturity and heightened love for country. There are a lot of things we can learn from them and it starts with squashing the pettiness, character assassination and pulling each other down. 

The contemporary Gambian finds it hard to celebrate or recognize each other rather we spend time being authorities in the lives of people we know nothing about. I often wonder what sets us apart from our relatives on the other side. Musa was at the highest of spirits on the eve of his demise because he was accorded the love and dignity he deserved by his Senegalese fans, fellow artist such as Oumar Penn and also the media fraternity. He had to return to his musical Mecca to put the seal on an illustrious career that his fellow Gambian compatriots could not see in him. Periodically, God gives us an opportunity as a society to reflect and reorient but we still get stuck in our whirlwind of negativity and innuendos. God bless us as our redemption will not be easy as we are one wicked and contrite bunch. We had Paps Touray, Senomi Taylor and now Musa Ngum. When will we see greatness in ourselves? Salvation starts from within. Gambia have sons and daughters worthy of celebrating. Celebrating each other should be an endeavor devoid of partisan politics. Any well meaning son of the soil should see value and credence in its sons and daughters who are promoting Gambian ideals be it cultural, political, economic or educational. I am of the view that the Gambian hasn’t completed the therapy or journey of decolonization. Our past has an impact on who we are and how we react to ourselves today. This sickness is always manifested in our dealings with each other. It's easier for us to see value in others than ourselves. We generally tend to hire the services of international consultants to tell us what we already know about us even the mundane of things. Mental emancipation is the deficiency that is lacking in the humanity of the Gambians and it's called "Gom Sa Bo paa". All is not lost but we need to purge our minds and hearts of this ailment I called a chip on our shoulder. Generally, this is a complex that most Gambians suffer from and it is often exhibited with words such as "Hiy kii kiagne laffi" "Haa mut bo paam" "Dafa dang Ngam" etc. These negative nuances and connotations breeds discontent and therefore bring about perceived demerits of what an individual is entitled to. It's sad to know that Senegal didn't only adopt Lalo Kebba as a Senegalese but they claim proprietary right on him to the point that they called him their worthy son. Who is worthy enough to be celebrated as a son of this soil other than the likes of Musa Ngum, Biri Biri, Mustapha Njie (TAF), Ousainou Dambel and many unsung heroes who are quietly pushing more than their weight by adding value to Brand Gambia. Let’s celebrate the greats in our midst whilst they are still alive.  Familiarity breeds contempt and being around and available makes the Gambian to look at our stars and great men as the next person. These people are our heroes and progressive societies MUST have heroes and role models for continuity and reference. Adieu king of Akaasaa and hope we take time and reflect how we collectively reduce ourselves to nothing.

In conclusion I will once again bring to the fore front the issue of Alhagie Momodou Njie Biri Biri. This gentleman has done over and beyond his call of duty for the Gambia and deserves an indelible mark in our lives. The Independence Stadium should be renamed in honor of this living legend. My comparison is always our immediate neighbors Senegal. Most if not all their national edifices bore the names of their heroes Demba Diop, Iba Mar Diop, Stade Leopald Sedat Senghor, Stade Amadou Barry etc. For a nation to have continuity it needs reference and these are the iconic sons and daughters of the land. Lets purge ourselves of self inflicted pity and hate.