First to Modou Camara,I have my doubts if these words could be changed to
mean anything positive.However when ever they are used,they do refer to a
social behaviour that is not in acordance with the norms of a given
enviroment(Society);that is to say either one does not have or show respect
in saying certain things or in doing certain things,like talking to an elder
etc.This again has to do with the fact that during these ceremonies,one is
expected to learn to behave in a social relationship that is in accordance
with the norms of that society,in short learn to be responsible,among other
things.Some of these are positive and this is why the women movement is
encouraging the ceremony but discouraging the most dangerous part of the the
whole practice.But in the near future,as our society developes,I dont think
we will need all these institutions to advance a better human relationship.
To mr Jaata,I am very worried about your conclutions,this is a very
important aspect of our society.No society can ever developed without
solving some of these fundamental contradictions in human relationship.The
fact that you did not see this to be a very important part of the
development of our society shows that our knowledge about the consequences
of this practice is limited.Your conclution that this practice is a culture
that never be changed does not hold any water,simply because of the fact
that our human society would continue to developed and wether we like it or
not some of these things will have to go.Why ?becuase if you have read the
many postings here you will find out that there are some sisters here who
have undergone this operation and they are telling you and I and every body
that their children will never be a victim of this practice,then how can you
say that this is our culture that can never change.Did you see how you are
now spelling your family name"Jaata"instead of "Jatta",is this not new to
many ?Is it that you have discovered that this is the right way to spell it
?Just wondering !

for freedom
saiks
----- Original Message -----
From: babucar k jaata <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2000 2:00 AM
Subject: Re: Jennifer Edison - Female Circumcision


> Hi friends & brothers,
>
> I followed up your comments and they are very interesting.  I thank
everyone
> who contributed to this topic on both sides.
>
> But I regret to tell you that lets focus our minds on more important
things
> rather than Female Circumcision.  This is because non of us cannot stop
this
> culture.  What I will advice is that who ever is against it should start
it
> with his/her children. This I think is more important rather talking about
> it on the net.
>
> I remembered one incident when I was in The Gambia, top women from the
> Women's Beruae came to my home town "Gunjur kombo" to convince the elders
of
> the village.  This delegation includes Amie Bojang of Radio Gambia.  She
was
> very much disappointment about the outcome of the meeting as the elders of
> the women wing turn onto her for the blame.
> I knew she was included in this because she is Gunjur, and stands a better
> chance to convince  the people.
>
> I think we should focus our mind on meaningful developments towards our
> people and the country as a whole.  I am not disputing the idea of bring
it
> to the G-L but to me this is something that cannot be eliminated.  Most of
> us even if we will go back home (a must) is not now, and some have even
> settled down so to discuss this while we are here (abroad) is meaningless
to
> me.
>
> I know my ideas will be odd to some people but I will let you know that
> everyone is entitled to his/her idea and should feel free to express
> himself.
>
> On this note I thanks all those who contributed to this discussion either
by
> reading it or comment on it for their efforts.  May Allah
> bless us and the entire Muslim world.
>
> bye
>
> Babucar Jaata (Boye Neneh)
>
>
> >From: Saikou Samateh <[log in to unmask]>
> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
> ><[log in to unmask]>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Re: Jennifer Edison - Female Circumcision
> >Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 23:51:54 +0100
> >
> >Isatou,
> >I share your views,the contribution of Jennifer should be seen from a
> >solidarity point of view,or the least from a concern person but not the
> >colour or nationality of the person.We should not be spectators to wrong
> >doing no matter how far away we are from the scene.It is true that this
> >issue was up here for a long time ago but we can see from the postings
that
> >the need to discuss this issue is always there,since it is the best way
to
> >get deep down to the problem that we very much shy away from.It is very
> >true
> >that the need  for this struggle to be waged on the ground is very
> >important,but the fact is there are people in the G-L who have a
different
> >view and convincing them that this "culture" should be buried alive is
> >equally important. I just want to believe that there is this language
> >problem that Awa is trouble with,but however one might have a different
way
> >of approaching the whole problem,depending on the situation of the
> >individual at the time of addressing the problem .keep on the good work.
> >
> >For Freedom
> >Saiks
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: Isatou Njie <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >Sent: Monday, October 09, 2000 8:45 PM
> >Subject: Re: Jennifer Edison - Female Circumcision
> >
> >
> > > Well Awa:
> > > I have to comment on the mail that you sent to
> > > Jennifer. First of all, it is my assumption that she
> > > is not a Gambian and if so will obviously interpret
> > > issues as graphically as possible to get the message
> > > through. She is just being sympathic to a problem that
> > > we as Africans are in most cases relunctant to deal
> > > with. Girl, I think we as victims should be empowered
> > > by comments like this and hopefully get the strenght
> > > to act on it. It is not her problem to confront our
> > > elders about this but its you and I(Gambians) who
> > > should rally against this. Even though you're been
> > > through this horrible process, it seems like you are
> > > in denial and felt that it should still be a
> > > hush-hush.How about you give the lady a break and
> > > gather the strenght to talk to your people about this
> > > issue. It is us who needs to convince our elderly not
> > > Jennifer.STOP BEING IGNORANT, ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE
> > > EMPOWERED, AND GET YOUR PEOPLE EDUCATED.........
> > > --- awa joeque <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > > > Jennifer
> > > >
> > > > I hope that you do not take this personnally, but
> > > > your responses to the
> > > > above subject looks like you're either not a Gambian
> > > > or if you are, you've
> > > > been away from that country for long.  As much as
> > > > I'm against female
> > > > circumcision - I do not think that you should be
> > > > going on and on about
> > > > cutting off this and cutting off that.  Jennifer I'm
> > > > sure that there are
> > > > many, many sisters in this forum that are affected
> > > > by this practice (this
> > > > also include our mothers and grandmothers)- so
> > > > please give us a break and
> > > > know that this subject has been dealt with on this
> > > > very forum before.
> > > >
> > > > Jennifer, I think that I'm in a better position to
> > > > give you the most graphic
> > > > detail of this operation - you know why - because I
> > > > am a VICTIM.  And let me
> > > > tell you that writing or debating this on the NET
> > > > won't change a thing
> > > > because technology is not within the reach of these
> > > > folks.  Go to the
> > > > villages and Towns where this is practise and
> > > > educate the folks out there
> > > > rather than sitting in your comfy room with all mod
> > > > cons telling us what to
> > > > do on the NET.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
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> > > >
> > >
>
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