Malanding,
I am positive the erros were committed when the colonialists were getting
down the names of the villages and towns. Most of the names of the
settlements are also the names of either their founders or historical
personalities who had connections with them. However, some of them are short
statements. The founder of Sukuta/Sabije/Dembadou was a man called Amoro
Cham. He was indeed Fula but the people who eventually left Bakoteh to join
the new settlement( as a result of some epedemic), were Mandinka .All the
three names are short Mandinka statements. They go as follows:
1. Sukuta= New Home;
2.Sabije( sageyo bejay)= A sheep is there;
3.Dembadou(chamdembadou)= Place of the chams.

Atleast with Sukuta the names are not badly distorted. We have our bad
example when Lameng is written as Lamin. We have another bad example where
Bakoteh is written as Bakoti. We do not know what Bakoti means, but we are
certain that Bakoteh( Baa ko tay), is the Mandinka for --" clear the other
side of the river/ cross to the other side of the river". Geographically the
creek is there to give meaning to the name. Furthermore, the history which
surrounds the founding of the settlement also adds meaning to the name. I am
baffled by the name Lameng. The "LA" at the beginning is very interesting!
Does it give the name a french or Arab root? Well for the moment I dont
know. But I am very positive that the mainstream culture of the settlement
has a vibrant Soninke root, which reveals itself during ceremonies and
rites. Perhaps someone out there should help us with what "Lameng" stands
for.
Omar Joof.

>From: Malanding Jaiteh <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Gunjur or Kunjur?
>Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 11:58:36 -0400
>
>Omar and Mbye,
>This is where history of the Gambia becomes really interesting. That is,
>things are said one way and written another way, a definite recipe for
>distortion. As for how places get their name, that is another can of worms.
>My two bututs: Kunjur, Lameng, Sabije (which could pass as Sare Biji -
>in Fula) are the correct ways. It is up to our scribes to write it as it
>is.
>Oops. Did I say Sare Biji? A quick disclaimer here Mbye Sey. No offense
>to your source although it is important to note that founding fathers of
>Sabiji were believed to be Fula. How they became the Mandinkas they are
>is another can of warms.
>
>Lets hope that bringing this up will inspire scholarly organizations
>like the Historical Society of the Gambia (if there is one in existence)
>to take up this and many others some day.
>
>Malanding
>
>[log in to unmask] wrote:
>
> > Malanding,
> > In records, Kunjur is given as Gunjur, and Lameng is given as Lamin.
> > As far
> > as I know the founders of the two towns call them Kunjur and Lameng
> > respectively. With regard Sukuta, it is also called
> > by its founders Sabiji and even Dembadou.
> > Omar Joof.
> >
> >> From: Malanding Jaiteh <[log in to unmask]>
> >> Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
> >> <[log in to unmask]>
> >> To: [log in to unmask]
> >> Subject: Gunjur or Kunjur?
> >> Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 12:48:31 -0400
> >>
> >> Folks,
> >> A quick question for all. Is Gunjur or Kunjur? Sukuta or Sabiji? Lamin
> >> or Lameng? I know they are writen one way and pronounced the other. So
> >> what are the real names of these towns?
> >>
> >> Malanding Jaiteh
> >>
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