www.allgambian.net
An in-depth discussion on Gambian writers welfare and current issues
with Gambia University lecturer Cherno Omar Barry

11 Nov 2009


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Cherno Omar Barry has played a pivotal role in the creation of the new
Writers' Association of The Gambia. He has also, through the
inspiration and the guidance of a French academic, Dr Jean Dominic
Pénel, created the Gambian writers’ website which regularly
popularises books authored by Gambians. This interview is intended to
reveal more about Gambian writers and their works. Along the way, we
will also try to establish the obstacles the writers face and how
ordinary Gambians can easily benefit from the work of their fellow
countrymen.
Interview conducted by Suntou Touray for his column, the point of
view- (A Talking Point)
Q&A Tell us a bit about yourself?
Cherno: Not much to say. I am an academic whose main interest is
resuscitating the association of writers in the Gambia, improving the
reading culture by promoting creative writing on themes interesting to
our young readers. I try to advocate for quality and relevant
production. I read and write as much as time can permit me to. My
reading interests are vast but I am specifically interested in
children’s literature, women writers and themes close to our
socio-cultural and historical context.
Q&A What is your current engagement?
Cherno:  I am a lecturer at the University of The Gambia. I am a
researcher too presently involved in completing my doctoral thesis.
Q&A Who are the Gambian writers?
Cherno: There are many writers and some of these have succeeded in
publishing their works making them authors. That having been said the
question seems too vague for a simple answer. I will say Gambian
writers and authors are those who have penned good works on issues of
interest to The Gambia and to the world at large.
Q&A Why did you create a website for Gambian Writers?
Cherno: The interest started when I began doing my Maîtrise-ès-lettres
in Semiology. I began to discover books by other Gambians other than
Dr Peters and Ebou Dibba. Upon discovering Dr Tijan Sallah, Nana
Grey-Johnson, Sally Singhateh, Ebou Gaye and Essa Colley but to name a
few, my interest deepened. However one major problem was works by
these writers were hardly available to us and Gambians seem unaware of
the existence of most of these writers. Then Dr Jean Dominique Pénel
organized the first exhibition of Gambian writers on 19 April 2002 at
the Alliance Franco-Gambienne.  It brought together several writers
and I was honoured to be the Master of Ceremonies. Using Dr Pénel’s
extensive research, I started translating some of the book reviews in
English and adding a little of my research, started publishing these
on the Daily Observer newspaper early 2004. The website came into
existence first as a blog in 2005 and became developed into a site in
2007.
Q&A How do you sustain the site for the Gambian writers, considering
the fact that, you are a busy man?
Cherno: Most of the information was already available and just needed
uploading. What’s more difficult today is keeping up with the recent
publications. It is unfortunate that very few Gambians are ready to be
committed to this. I have made appeals to Gambians for assistance and
some of the reaction is I should maintain a blog. It is my humble
believe that a blog is fine but a website makes the shared information
more appealing. Nonetheless, as it is a passion I wish to nurture, I
will continue to nourish the website until an association takes it up.
Q&A Where can one obtain books authored by Gambians?
Cherno: This is becoming difficult, Suntou. The only available outlet
in The Gambia is Timbooktoo and even Timbooktoo has few or none of the
renowned authors such as Dr Peters, Dr Tijan Sallah or Nana
Grey-Johnson. Ebou Dibba’s books are still provided by Macmillan The
Gambia. All others are out of print except those who have published
outside The Gambia.
Q&A To the best of your knowledge, what sorts of subjects are the
common currency among Gambian writers
Cherno: Socio-cultural issues mainly. Recent writers are trying their
hands in folklore too. Few really tried dealing with political issues
and some of these are Gabriel Roberts with the Goosieganderan Myth and
Baaba Silla with When the Monkey Talks.
Q&A Which author has written the most books?
Cherno: Hard to say when one does not have all the statistics but I
prefer to compare two authors. Nana Grey-Johnson is the most
successful self-published author and Dr Tijan Sallah the most
published. Each has published close to ten books.
Q&A Are you an exclusive association of like minds, how does one
qualify to be in the Gambian writers association?
Cherno: The present association encourages all writers, Gambian or
non-Gambian residents to be subscribed members.  If one is interested
in writing and hopes to contribute to knowledge production, then one
can be considered as qualified. The association is trying to bring on
board aspiring writers too who may eventually have avenues to publish
their works.
Q&A What criteria does the association use to determine an author/writer?
Cherno: There is no particular criterion. One is an author if one has
published and one is a writer if one is indulged into knowledge
production and sharing.
Q&A Why is it difficult to come across serials or reviews of books by Gambians?
Cherno: I believe Gambians should take up that challenge. We have
several Gambian experts who are critics, analysts and essayists. They
must come on board to help promote as well as critique works of
Gambians. This is more vital today than ever where the University of
The Gambia is the main champion.
Q&A What are some of the inherent difficulties writers in the Gambia
face, what ways do you believe those obstacles can alleviated?
Cherno: The following in their order of difficulties: publishing,
marketing and protecting their works. Self-publishing is the easiest
avenue yet this has its setbacks. Some of the setbacks are financing
the product and producing a work of international standard. Marketing
is difficult because effective distribution means there are consumers.
Unfortunately, with the dying reading culture and the difficulty in
living standards, the consumers are far less than expected. Though the
copyright bureau already exists, it is yet to fully institute a system
of protection for authors. Hopefully the association can help
alleviate these obstacles once it is officially instituted.
Q&A What advice do you have for a beginner in the field of writing?
Cherno: There is a fallacy that writing is very simple. Certain skills
need acquiring for good works to be produced. Aspiring writers need to
read a lot especially in their areas of interest. Let them not be
discouraged by the obstacles faced in publishing. There is also the
possibility of co-publishing which would probably simplify the burden
of publication.
Q&A Is there a peer review panel in the Gambian writers association?
Cherno: There is an editorial sub-committee, if that is what you mean.
This sub-committee is mandated when the need arises, to edit works the
association may require to publish. It can also review and recommend
works suitable for consumption in the schools. However, if you mean a
peer-review magazine or journal, then that stage has not yet been
attained. However, the possibility cannot be ruled out completely.
Q&A How daring are the topics covered among Gambian writers? For
instance, Can anyone ridicule religious or cultural practices? Bearing
in mind, Baba Galleh debit book was about the subject of female
circumcision?
Cherno: It is the belief of the association that writers who write on
themes that will cause a national unrest will be dissociated from the
association. Understand me well here. We encourage Gambians to write
on issues harmful to our health and our well being. Female genital
mutilations, forceful marriages, teenage pregnancy, child abuse, rape,
murder, irresponsible accidents, drug abuse, delinquency, the Bumster
issue, women’s delicate issues, and et cetera are very important and
contemporary. Writers can write maturely on issues affecting the
Gambian society, Africa and the world at large without being
disagreeable. Other writers have set the pace to emulate.
Q&A Literary freedom is an issue in most parts of the developing
world, is the Gambia any different?
Cherno: Writers in general have issues with their country particularly
in third world countries. Yet these writers have a moral
responsibility to translate the hopes and aspirations of every nation.
It is incumbent upon them to pen to posterity the daily events of
those people as well as the history and beliefs. Writers can be wrong
particularly when their works are purely subjective but nonetheless,
they serve a fundamental purpose in changing history. In The Gambia,
however, no Gambian writer has been arrested or intimidated so far for
exercising one’s literary freedom. I know our journalist colleagues
have had a large share of this, but it is not uncommon to hear of
writers in our sisters countries living in exile for expressing those
thorny issues their country’s governments are not willing to hear
about. Yet, once we attire ourselves with the mantle of ‘voice for the
voiceless’, we expect to face such challenges even if we are living in
The Gambia. What the association intends to promote foremost is to
help enlighten its general populace. Issues can always be handled
intellectually without disseminating misinformation or causing anger,
uprising and dissent.
Q&A Can you give an example.
Cherno: Before Africans can properly develop their countries and bring
positive changes, they must be educated. Others cannot fight our
causes so let us take up our problems ourselves and the best way to
find these solutions is to educate our own people. It is no use crying
‘wolf wolf’ when the sheep one is trying to save continue grazing
languidly impervious to your cries and the looming danger.
Q&A Any final words on the wider issues of writing in The Gambia?
Cherno: We call upon Gambians abroad to support the association. The
first form of support is financial. All other forms of support, such
as marketing Gambian works, seeking less expensive publishing houses
would be encouraged. Donations of books to schools and higher
institutions, photocopying and printing machines to the association to
raise funds, and other learning materials shall be most welcome.
Thank You Cherno Omar Barry for the opportunity
Cherno: It is my pleasure!
The Gambian writers’ website can be browsed at www.gamwriters.com. It
has rich resources on the works of people like Dr Lenrie Peters, Dr
Tijan Sallah, Dr Sabarr Janneh, Essa Bokar Sey, Cherno Omar Barry
himself, Baba Galleh, Gabriel Roberts, etc.
In this age, all efforts should be made to support our nationals in
this noblest of professions. Societies advance through reading, and
the appropriate starting point should be from works authored by our
fellow countrymen/women.
The site contains vast arrays of poems, short stories and mini
adventure tails. I would recommend it to all Gambians.
Cherno Omar Barry can be reach at [log in to unmask] If you
have a work needing advice on or if you have the capacity to enhance
the future progress of the Gambian writers Association contact him. I
found him to be extremely humble and intellectually astute, let us
network and create a better Gambia.

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