-----Original Message----- From: Kabir Njie <[log in to unmask]> To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tue, May 15, 2012 12:57 am Subject: Re: [G_L] The Drumbeats Of Afdie You are absolutely right, Bro Kabir. The Gambia has a rich culture and tradition that we need to investigate and capture in our literary efforts. The Gambia is transforming at a very rapid space, and the danger is that we can loose much of our cultural heritage in the process. Within our various ethnic groupings there are rites and rituals associated with the joys of child births, weddings and other social functions that we need to celebrate and bring alive in our literary works. There are also rites and rituals associated with the pains of death, in some of our cultures that we also need to investigate and bring alive in our literary works. It is heartening to see, and a big surprise too, that the culture of 'Hunting' is flourishing among some young adults in the general vicinity of Serrekunda and the surrounding areas, with their colorful "asobis' both young men and women during festive occasions. We need to keep these colorful images alive. Once again, thanks. Rene -----Original Message----- From: Kabir Njie <[log in to unmask]> To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tue, May 15, 2012 12:57 am Subject: Re: [G_L] The Drumbeats Of Afdie Congrats, Bro Rene! I look forward to owning a copy. Yes, Half-Die of the time was truely lively and vibrant. The 'Fanal' tradition has sadly died: No more 'Famara awal nee' and the like. Hence the importance of literary work that capture those times. Regards, Kabir. On Mon, May 14, 2012 at 9:59 PM, <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Dear All, Today I have come closer to becoming a published author. My manuscript entitled: The Drumbeats Of Afdie, has finally been sent to the printer for activation. This process is expected to take within one to two weeks. Once this process is complete, my book will be available in the marketplace for purchase. The publisher for the book is Authorhouse, an indepedent publishing house in Bloomington, IN 47403. I am told that it generally takes about 4-6 weeks from the time a title is activated until it begins to be listed on other retailer's website. In due course the book will be able on Amazon and many other retail outlets. The Drumbeats Of Afdie is the story of Omadi, a Gambian immigrant who came to the United States. It describes the life of Omadi both in the Gambia and in the United States. The nuances of the American immigration system become a focal point in the book, as Omadi is torn between staying in the country as an illegal immigrant or going back home to the Gambia. This 214 page book is authentically Gambian; Banjul and Afdie features prominently in the book, as the author deliberates on and accentuates the rich social and cultural tapestry that is part of Afdie's history. For those who may not know, the word Afdie is a corruption of the words "Half Die". It pertains to a malaria epedimic in Banjul, in the past, in which half the inhabitants had died. Afdie is in the southern part of the city of Banjul. As the story of Omadi evolves, so does the narration about gods and oracles which gives a deeper appreciation to this African phenomenon. I wish to take this opportunity to extend my thanks and gratitude to Momodou Baldeh, who has been kind enough to read through over one hundred pages of the manuscript, and not only offered his suggestions and advice but also helped with the editing. Mo is my literary buddy and a close friend. Thanks a bunch, Mo. Rene Badjan ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interfaceat: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-lTo contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:[log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤