In Election Ritual Saga Naked Women Protest in Brikama



The Independent (Banjul)

September 28, 2001
Posted to the web September 28, 2001

Lamin Dibba
Banjul, the Gambia

Up to thirty starkly naked women took to the streets of Brikama Monday to
protest over what they claimed was a distasteful ritual by opposition to
"sacrifice" a dog for election purposes.

Brikama residents were speechless as they saw the naked women chanting
incantations against the opposition whom they blamed for the ritual killing.

The women carrying empty calabashes shouted and clapped as they wended their
way to the Brikama Fire Brigade vicinity where a dead dog wrapped in a white
satin sheet was found in the most mysterious circumstance two weeks ago.

The women denounced, cursed, swore and prayed that those responsible for
killing and wrapping the dog in a burial shroud would be exposed.

The protest, which took place in the evening, was witnessed by hundreds of
on-lookers some of whom rushed from their homes to watch the uncommon sight
of naked women who have set an unprecedented mark of protesting that way.

The women, chanting in Jola said God must punish the opposition for the evil
act. They later dug a hole over which some sat while the rest continued to
chant in anger.

An attempt by this reporter to interview one of them was flatly rebuffed,
with an excuse that he was too young to even witness what they were doing.

The unusual and occultic practice lasted for an hour before the naked women
finally left to an undisclosed part of town.

It could be recalled that The Independent carried the story a dead dog
apparently killed and wrapped in a white satin lace with some bottles of
water beside it near the Brikama Fire Brigade station in the early hours of
the morning.

Meanwhile, traditional and religious authorities in the town are yet to take
any action over this ritualistic incident, which has left many Brikamarians
speechless.




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