Good evening,
        Is it OK if I may ask where the people asking about Traditional Land Ownership
originate from (town or village in The Gambia). I shall then do my best to answer your PERTINENT questions.
I ask this, for I think where one comes from is fundamental in grasping the emotions behind Land Ownership.

Good evening
Manneh


Rene Badjan wrote:

>  Aunty Jabou,
>         Your questions are quite pertinent. It would be interesting for those
> in the know, to give us an account historically as to how such parcels of
> land became the property of those who claim it as theirs. It would equally be
> interesting to know, how government or what modalities are involved for the
> government to reclaim such lands. It should also be noted that those who
> exercise rights or claims to these lands, have maintained such rights or
> claims even before the Gambia became independent. What was the colonial
> legacy to such claims, or what were the modalities that existed for the
> recognition of such claims. We need some history here, and those who are
> knowledgable in this area can help us.
>
>       I could remember vividly during my communtiy development activities in
> Old Jeshwang, having to grapple with these questions. I was fascinated by
> claims to such ownership of land, which usually had a very strong political
> backing if the claimants support the government. I have also seen instances
> where the land was used as a political weapon, through such ownership claims,
> to deprive others who do not share the same political platform use of the
> land, either for gardening or farming purposes or even for residential
> purposes. Even where the land was used for gardening or farming purposes,
> with the express permission of those who claim to own the land, there was
> always a certain degree of compensation mostly in kind.
>
>       Again, it would be very interesting if the dynamics of such land issues
> are unraveled. We might gain a lot knowing about the cultural and ethnic
> dispositions, which invariably could have played a role in the evolution of
> these claims to communal and family ownership of land in many places in the
> country. Again, those who are in the know concerning these issues can
> enlighten us. Sincere regards.
>
>     Rene
>
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