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 > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L > Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html > You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] > if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------