Chaos obstruct burial in Kerewan as free borns and slaves clash over burial gound

Two women sustained injuries, in a scuffle in Kerewan, North Bank Division as free borns (Foroolu) clashed with slaves (Jongolu) over burial rights at a cemetery. The incident occurred on Saturday, December 8, when Seedou Wally's (slave descendant) daughter died and and her people wanted to bury her at a certain place in the cemetery to which the so-called masters objected.

Sources further informed the Daily Observer that Seedou's brother, Momodou Wally, insisted that the master/slave concept was wrong and ordered that the burial should proceed but the so-called masters would not allow that to happen. The Daily Observer reliably learnt that the master/slave relationship in Kerewan is a traditional reality and the two had maintained two separate cemeteries for over fifty years.

According to our reporter, most of the people he spoke to in the village, blamed the Wally family "for instigating violence and trying to break an age old tradition.” Consequently, the villagers reported the matter to the commissioner, North Bank Division, Mr Sulayman Keita, recommending the deportation of Momodou and Seedou Wally to their native village of Kachang in Upper Baddbu District “in order to prevent further clashes.”

Sources further alleged that Mr Wally had also challenged such a tradition in his native village resulting to his transfer to Kerewan. According to reports, the commissioner had asked for more time to study the situation. Meanwhile, Kerewan police have confirmed the story and said investigations were already under way.