Once Upon a Time in The Gambia

By Mike Williams

Amina an intelligent girl full of dreams was deceived into clubbing. Her parent's separation affected her performance in school. She got raped and committed suicide. Is there still hope for her Amina and her dreams?.

"One upon a time in The Gambia" is a literary voice against Female genital mutilation, Rape, Child marriage, Illegal migration, Wife battery and other societal vices and it also appreciate the culture, norms and beautiful scenery of The Gambia

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ayovola Print
• Release date: Dec 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9789983940350

Mike Williams

Mike Williams is a graduate of Ekiti State University EKSU Nigeria where he studied Business Administration. He also has a Diploma in International worship (Music) from International Music and Movie Academy South Africa. He is a Novelist, Script writer, Playwright, Poet and Musician. Mike has Authored many books to his Credit among which are: Dreamers become winners, University of woman wine tapping, Once upon a time in the Gambia, Esiri the little mermaid, Majid and the golden chariot, Medora, Malister and ponytail, The Zungus, Trina and Triana, Hyena and the laughing spell, Battle of the fallen, Literary Composition (Nursery-Basic 6) Antelopes adventure to the land of the zebra and many more

Book preview

FOREWORD

The novel, Once Upon a Time in The Gambia, is a delicately composed tale of an African teenage girl-child in a predominantly patriarchal society. The setting is the Gambia which is one of the smallest countries in Sub-Sahara Africa and the plot showcases the travails and triumph of Amina, a girl-child, against vices such as sexual harassment, rape, substance abuse, gender imbalance and other forms of youthful exuberance. Through the eye of the protagonist, Mike Williams wittily presents the realities of a young intelligent African girl in a world that give very little opportunities to the female. By deploying the voice of a Griot, the plot unfolds to show the importance of a united family in the development of a child and plays down the superiority of the one gender on the other. Amina, in the height of her travails, moves from life to death and resurrects, not only in physical existence but also, in hope, faith and vision. Her transition from death to life signals the re-emergence of a dream that died and a fresh start. The novelist presents Amina’s life as a journey of botched dreams resuscitated against all odds by faith in the girl-child. The story line challenges the status quo in a male-dominated African society and it is one of the few feminist novels against the tyranny and harassment of the female gender by traditional male dominance. The message of the plot is explicit: there is hope to rise again no matter the depth of one’s fall and the level of opposition or how disadvantaged an individual seems to be. Amina eventually fulfils her life dreams in the face of daunting oppositions to prove that feminism is not a symbol of weakness.

The narrative is simple, captivating, and engaging to reinforce the novelist’s idea that anyone can succeed if they believe, put their heart into it and refuse to give up.

Oladotun O. Olagbaju, PhD Legacy University, Banjul, The Gambia. July, 2020.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I give all the glory to Jehovah, the maker and owner of all things. The great I AM THAT I AM. WAY MAKER! THE KING OF GLORY! Blessed be your Holy name. To my lovely family, you are my strength. Bintou Camara (Wolof translator), Ayodele Victor Ayomide (Cover designer), Mrs. Sajoh Dorcas. Mr. Moses "Ayovolaprint (My publisher), Neneh Kumba Sisoho, Mr. Babucar Jarju (Cluster monitor) Dr. Gregory Joe Bledsoe (Spicey Tasty Vegan), Pastor Mrs. Oye Lawal of Jesus Palace (RCCG), Musu Secka, Ida Faye, Deevee (Model costumier), Dr. Oladotun Opeoluwa Olagbaju, PhD, M. Ed (Ibadan), B.A (Ed) (Ado Ekiti) for finding time to write the forward of this book, critiqued and proof read it to perfection, and to Amazing Grace School/Academy Drama Department who were the first to act the scripted play of this book, God bless you all in many folds.

DEDICATION

To The Gambia and every child who believes in the beauty of their dreams.

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DISCLAIMER

This is to declare that 40% of this story is based on fiction while 60% are true but the names of people and places mention are purely coincidental. It’s simply a product of the writer’s imagination and not in any way aimed or intended to tarnish anyone’s image. It is the voice to the voiceless and a contribution to the betterment of humanity- Mike Williams

TABLE OF CONTENT

Foreword         3

Acknowledgment      5

Dedication       6

Disclaimer        7

Chapter 1: The moonlight tale  10

Chapter 2: The deceit     17

Chapter 3: A plot is hatched     23

Chapter 4: Hearts and flowers    27

Chapter 5: The counsel    33

Chapter 6: The break up      38

Chapter 7: Sexual harassment     42

Chapter 8: The rape    45

Chapter 9: The signing out    48

Chapter 10: The line up      53

Chapter 11: Play of conscience    56

Chapter 12: Window shopping    59

Chapter 13: The Prom    64

Chapter 14: The graduation    73

Chapter 15: The pregnancy    78

Chapter 16: The suicide      83

Chapter 17: The second chance     89

Chapter 18: The confession     93

Chapter 19: The fulfilled dream    97

Chapter 20: The Griot’s death     102

Questions     103

Glossary    104

Chapter 1

*The Moonlight Tale*

The Gambia is the smallest country in West Africa with a narrow Atlantic coastline. It’s located on Latitude 130N and longitude 150W with an estimated population of 2.28 million people with diverse cultures. Most Gambians are very hospitable, accommodating and loving set of people, thereby perfectly fitting the mantra, Gambia nice. But is Gambia really nice‽ A rain of thunder just cursed the West Coast Region of the Gambia leaving in its wake; a flood of pains and massive pools of mud spatter everywhere. Mam Aja, the Mansa Konko Griot as she was famously called, from Mansa Konko (Lower River Region) stood with Jallow her grandson shivering with Mud-stained foot wares waiting to board any available public transport. Mud stained foot wares has become a common sight during raining season in the Gambia. Mansa konko is a Town in the Gambia which translates as The hill of Kings in Madinka. Mam Aja came with Jallow to visit her son in Kombo and was trying to find her way back to Mansa Konko. They never planned for the rain, even Mam Aja failed to read the signs of the sky. Most of the commercial vehicle drivers parked in water-logged areas for their passengers to alight; that is if they were willing to carry passengers. 

They make matters worse as they enjoy driving to and fro without picking up passengers. Their bus conductors (Apprentices) enjoy sticking out their tongues to mock frustrated passengers waiting exhaustingly to catch vehicles to their different destinations. If only they could be sensitized by the Gambia Transport Union (GTU) that it’s not business wise to buy fuel into an intra- state public transport all to drive around town without picking up passengers as this is a smooth road to poverty Mam Aja wondered. Eboe Town junction during raining season needs a boat for a safe cross over. Those living in this area sleep and wake in pools of water like Mermaids.  If only the Government could intervene and make their living condition blissful Mam Aja wondered further. However, many people ran into non-existing shades to escape the harsh torrents. In times like this, most students struggled most to board commercial buses; especially, when they are fortunate enough to get a vehicle that is willing to transport them from West-field to Brikama. It is not that there were no buses provided by the Government to help students to their various schools and even back home but the buses seem not enough as about sixty percent of the Gambian population are students- one couldn’t help but pity them for what they had to go through in a bid to be educated. The old and middle aged ones too were not spared as they shivered like Mam Aja in the wondrous hand of cold that seemed too had gone below 0⁰ Celsius. Massive flood with its accompanying pool of mud is not an uncommon occurrence in the Gambia during raining season. The country has poor drainage system and considering the fact that nothing can stop the free flow of water because it is one of the most powerful elements; water always finds a way and if it is not given, water may even choose your home to abode This is very strange but true Mam Aja said. Wa! Mam Aja Jallow agreed. But what can be done? Mam Aja