Mr. Saine,
Thanks for keeping the G-L posted on some of the realities on the ground.
I have also been aware of the Ndongo LO sensation for sometime now.
It is almost as if another Youssou Ndoure is born again. He is possibly the
next ambassador of Mbalax, although he has yet to gain similar appeal
outside of Senegambia.
To put it mildly, he is currently the only musician in Senegal who can
easily fill a night club to full capacity for the past 8 months, and
clearly making huge headlines.
He is so popular that the likes of Mbaye Geuye Faye(Etoile) and Salaam
Diallo have all had a duet with him on their recent releases.
Best Regards,
Ablie Njie- Lekbi
>From: Abdoulaye Saine <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: The Deepening Senegalization and Islamization of The Gambia
>Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2002 22:42:47 +0000
>
>G-L Community:
>One of the more perceptable shifts/changes in Gambian society today is the
>growing Senegalization/Wollofization/Islamization of Gambian by it larger
>neighbor Senegal. For sure, this phenomenon is hardly new. These two
>countries have shared deep cultural and religious roots historically.
>Border towns like Farafenni, Kaur etc. have always felt that influence.
>What appears to be new, however, is the degree of Senegalese penetration of
>The Gambia in terms of its culture, religion and economy. Unlike previous
>years, today's process is more generalized and more farreaching that the
>more superficial trends that proceeded this phase. The new and deepened
>penetration are seen more overtly in the adoption of Senegalese speech
>patterns, religious education, and the effects of Senegalese garment,
>furniture, transport and other industries. The "Kaba" is perhaps most
>noticable in dress fashions, yet, secondary to the "mbalax" and the latest
>onslaught of Senegal's music sensation Ndongo Lo. He is a big hit here.
>
>A major element of this change has to do also with a gradual but
>discernable
>shift, at least on TV and on radio in The Gambia from the sing-song Gambian
>Wollof accent to a more heavy and dramatic Senegalese accent. In fact,
>some
>Gambian radio and TV announcers are indistinguishable from their Senegalese
>counterparts as some have shifted completely to Sene-Wollof. Part of this
>change is attributable to returning Gambian scholars trained in Senegal who
>host several radio and tv programs and local "Diras" in Gambia.
>Accompaning
>this language change is a shift toward "Conservative Islam" even if one
>also
>witnesses an increase in Christian churches. The "Sene-Wollofized" Gambian
>religious scholars, tv and radio presenters have come to constitute new
>role
>models for aspiring broadcasters. And because Senegalese music, tv
>programs
>are very popular here, they further reinforce the shift. Thus, the shift
>appears to work with "conservative Islam" to make the once secular
>political
>culture more intolerant to secular tendencies. This is in large measure a
>consequence of the end of the Cold-War, the Gulf-War and the current war on
>"terrorism." The outcome therefore, is a less tolerant religious
>environment.
>
>Thus, what politicans like Abdou Diouf and Leopold Senghore could not
>accomplish politically under more formal channels is being attained,
>albeit,
>informally. These working-class Senegalese artisans, welders, cab-drivers,
>tailors etc. are making Senegambia a reality but through informal means.
>Yet, the agents of integration from Senegal can not be limited to the
>latter
>as large construction companies such as CSE and many Senegalsese
>professionals work in The Gambia together with countless other
>nationalities
>from the sub-region. With about 50% of Gambia's population being
>non-Gambian and mostly Senegalese, the latter as a whole is literally
>injecting new-blood (through intermarriage and investment) into the
>Gambia's
>political culture, religion, economy and way of life.
>
>The Gambia, it seems, is experiencing a new demographic shift and deepening
>cultural/economic/religious, penetration by Senegal. The immediate
>consequence is added vitality for Gambia and Gambians and perhaps a step
>closer to the spirit of a true Senegambia. Indeed, this is but one aspect
>of globalization manifested through culture and religion and perhaps at the
>expense of other religious and ethnic communities in the area. Senegalese
>at home and those in the Diaspora, together with the likes of Youssou
>Ndour,
>Thione Seck, Ndongo Lo, religious leaders, Senegalese tv, radio, etc. are
>penetrating The Gambia with skills and capital and certainly some
>undesirable elements as well. They are also counter-penetrating the West
>with its music, athletes, scholars, "Modou-Modous" etc.
>Thus, globalization may not in fact, be unidirectional but could take place
>within the periphery of the global economy and between the periphery and
>toward the core-states.
>
>From an Internet Cafe in Bakau,
>
>(I apologize for any typos).
>Abdoulaye
>
>
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