Yero,
The title is taken from the book The Drumbeats Of Afdie, and it
mirrors some of the culture that is discussed in the book. The word
Afdie is the wollof corruption of the words Half Die, and an epicenter
of a malaria epidemic in this part of the city where half the
inhabitants had died. The parallel you give running after cows and
calves, torrential rains, tall grasses and the beautiful rich meadows
conveys the same beauty of our rich cultural experiences.
I remember a visit to a small village after Bansang which is still
etched in my mind because of the serenity and community cohesiveness.
The name of the village is Sare Yoro. As we walked into the open fields
from the main road to Basse, we came to a hamlet of not more than five
compounds. In the first compound that we arrived at we were received so
well and treated to a nice meal of cow milk and "dang", and given some
gifts before we continued on our journey.
Walking in the open fields was bliss. It conjures all the imagery
that you have described of cows grazing and tall grasses; the beauty
of the surrounding was just so comforting.
When we arrived at the village our welcome and the hospitality
extended was special. I noticed something on this particular day in the
village shortly after we arrived; every household in this small village
gathered at the meeting area to pick their share of the bull that was
slaughtered. I understand this was done periodically. The sense of
community and social cohesiveness; the peace and tranquility, the
natural landscape of trees, grasses and open fields was so refreshing.
Thanks for the comments.
Rene
-----Original Message-----
From: Y Jallow <[log in to unmask]>
To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thu, Jan 2, 2014 10:03 pm
Subject: Re: [G_L] The Drumbeats Of Afdie
Rene –
I like the poem as you shared, “The Drum Beats of Afdie” onits cultural
importance. The poem might have taken title from the known andshortened
Aku version of Half-Die (Afdie) in Banjul. The narration about the
choleraoutbreak that claimed many lives gave it a name. That is not
even the poem’steaching as you shared. It looks at a culture of
acceptance where culturalentertainment defined the spirit of residents,
consequently making the communityglued together in unity and harmony.
For others who left home for the outsideworld, such reflections
resembling your poem are uncommon. If for anything, itis certainly
healthy, though one would wish for such nice days to come back. Itmight
not. If I were to put the “…drum beats of afdie…” in my own words, I
seemyself running after cows and calves in rhythm order. I see
torrential rainsand tall grasses while the cows graze beautifully in
rich meadows. The poem iscertainly a nice cultural touch…and these are
some of the events that bondedour communities for a while. I have taken
the liberty to myself to submit your poem for wider publication.
Thanks for sharing & best for 2014!
Yero
> Date: Thu, 2 Jan 2014 13:35:43 -0500
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [G_L] The Drumbeats Of Afdie
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> The drumbeats of Afdie
> the potent beat of the drums reverberates
> the virtues of the folklore in Banjul extol
> the grandeur of the circumcision rites
> the harmonious songs of the Sambasoho it prides.
>
>
> The drumbeats of Afdie
> the celebration of the rich Chosan in Banjul
> the beautiful lyrics of the Kassak
> the kankurang, the fanal and the Hunting
> the cohesive spirit, joy and laughter of the city
> it doesn't matter what your faith or creed
> at the pencha we dance without malice or greed.
>
> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
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