Folk Tales and Fables from The Gambia: Volume 1

By Fanta Bojang and Mbye Bojang

The stories narrate the tricks, deceit and greed of hyena in all his relationships. These traits come out strongly in the tales entitled: 'The cow, hyena, lion and hare share a home , Hyena and hare go in search of food and The hyena and the hare . Hare, however, shows his ingenuity by always outsmarting hyena. Cat s pilgrimage to Mecca and his self righteous attitude on his return was challenged by the eldest member of the clan of rats. He was reminded of his old ways before his transformation. Gambian folk tales carry moral lessons and even though they are not all spelt out in this collection, they are evident.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Educational Services
• Release date: Dec 29, 2009
• ISBN: 9789983902037

Book preview

Burr Njai takes another wife

It was the eve of the commencement of the rainy season in the northern region of ancient Senegambia. Animals were looking forward to food tables that would be full, varied and sumptuous. The donkeys lived comfortably in the savannah parkland, roaming and dancing merrily around with their beautiful and boisterous queen. Nobody troubled them and this was the state of things. They however started to get worried when two months passed by and there were no rains which was unusual at that time of the year. They had come to take the rains for granted. Trees began to dry up. The grass lost its lush green colour and the blades shrivelled taking a rusty brown look typical of scrubland vegetation. There was neither food nor shade to take shelter from the hot, seething Sahelian sun. The sheep, cattle and goats thin and hungry wandered aimlessly without direction in search of food. The area could be mistaken for the Sahara Desert because of the wide expanse of sand and very few dry plants.

Donkeys

The donkeys started to get concerned about their survival as drought would be disaster for both human beings and animals. Some of them thought that it would be wise to disperse but they had to be prudent. They decided to call up a meeting to share their thoughts with friends and neighbours. They all commended it as a brilliant idea. The donkeys of the area assembled at the meeting place which was under the big silk cotton tree, where national concerns were discussed. It was held just after dusk. One of them, the self-appointed spokes-person called Ali, opened the meeting with these words:

"Members of the clan,

We are gathered here today to plan for an inevitable lean period which we might obviously experience, because of the imminent drought this year. Some of us have been talking about how to survive under conditions when there would be no rain and food. I would like to give the opportunity to Balla the wise one to share his thoughts with us."

Balla, flattered by Ali's introduction, spoke:

"Members of the clan,

I have been toying with an idea for some time and last week I decided to share it with Ali and other friends. You have seen that the first rains have still not come. It is obvious that we would have to face a period of drought. Thus we must prepare for a very lean year. It would be disastrous. For this reason, I am therefore proposing that we all relocate south to the thick forest area of the Casamance region. There we can have more than enough food, water and shelter."

The idea of relocation was unanimously agreed upon since it seemed the perfect solution for their plight. But in the midst of the euphoria, a smart young donkey called Magigane asked:

Hey, what do we do in the event of a change of the situation? With one voice, they declared-

We would all return to our home in the northern part of ancient Senegambia.

This put a seal to the discussions. They had no doubt that conditions would later change for the better.

Kumba, young, tall and dazzlingly beautiful was the queen of the donkeys. Every action of hers was elegant but bold and engaging. Her steps were not gallops. Instead, she moved with grace and appeared to be gliding on smooth surfaces. She spoke in a soft, melodious voice which attracted everybody’s attention. The idea of migration excited her and she thought seriously about it. She knew there would be challenges but it was a sensible option worth taking. She was aware of her beauty and knew that it would stand her in good stead. The ancient Kingdom of Saloum in Senegambia was a land of plenty and stories of their wealth and splendid living had been heard far and wide. The reigning monarch fondly called Burr (which is King) Njai was known for successfully leading his kingdom to prosperity. But he was fun-loving and indulged in beautiful women. Kumba had heard about him and decided that the place for her was his palace.

Meanwhile, the other donkeys got ready for their big migration to the forest of Casamance. They would depart after their queen Kumba who was thought to be suited for a king’s wife. They would discreetly leave in groups of three households to avoid any notice.

Kumba went through a lot of preparations for her adventure into the lives of human beings. She transformed herself into a beautiful maiden and went out shopping to the village market. She obtained exclusive costumes and trinkets to wear on her departure. When she returned home, she showed her clothes to her closest confidant, Ndella who was really impressed. Kumba then revealed:

I must dress to kill. The king should find me irresistible when he sets his eyes on me.

Towards evening of her chosen day of departure Kumba wore her new gold and black locally-woven cotton gown. The outfit flowed down to her ankles displaying low, black leather slippers on her feet. Her head scarf, intricately tied and perched in a slant showed off the big traditional plaits of a maiden, matched her gown. She was elegant and felt confident with her appearance.

As the sun was fading into the horizon ushering in the dusk, the streets were deserted. This showed the strick observance of the taboo attached to going out around that time of the evening. Kumba glided gracefully along the road that led to the palace. It was an opportune time to enter the city of Njaiyen, the seat of the King.

Adopting a very seductive comportment and gait, Kumba approached the heavily guarded iron gates of the magnificent palace of Burr Njai. The guards, on their dark brown horses stood transfixed when they saw the beautiful figure in front of them.

She spoke to them thus:

Good evening, sirs. I am a native of the northern part of Senegambia and my name is Kumba Jobe. I am on my way to visit my relatives in the neighbourhood. I therefore think it prudent to be courteous and pay homage to the king before proceeding. Could you please assist me to do so?

The guards were so dazzled by her looks they did not subject her to long questions on her mission to the king. She was allowed to enter.

Kumba, with great dignity walked in. At the time, Burr Njai in his majestic attire was sitting in the fore-court of his palace with some members of his Council of Elders. The Mauritanian courtier, Narr who was also the protocol officer was in the group. He had the ear of Burr Njai who listened to him unreservedly and trusted him to a fault. But the people of Njaiyen regarded Narr as a flatterer and gossiper who told the king everything he knew. He could not keep a secret.

When Kumba entered the fore-court, it seemed that the earth stood still. The conversation stopped. Everyone, the king and his courtiers all stared in amazement at the dazzling good looks of the damsel who walked graciously towards them. Burr Njai was visibly stunned by such beauty. Narr, who was very observant, knew the king was attracted. Narr uttered in excitement:

Yaa – high! Burr! Take her hand in marriage. My goodness! Burr, she should be no other man’s wife. She is just right for you. Only the king should have her as a wife. Do not allow any other man to marry her. Take her hand in marriage.

In unison the others echoed Narr’s words. The exceptionally beautiful lady was the rightful wife of Burr Njai and he needed no further convincing words. He must win over Kumba. Extraordinary warmth and enthusiastic reception was accorded to Kumba. She was amazed. She then said in a cool and calm voice:

My name is Kumba Jobe. I come from the northern part of Senegambia. I am on my way to visit a distant relative, Mamlisa Jobe in the neighbouring Kingdom of Sine. Although I am unaccompanied, young as I am, it is my wish for it to be so.

Every word she uttered was greeted with open delight. The eagerness to have Kumba as Burr’s queen was great. The oldest member of the Council of Elders, Biram felt the need to exercise caution and spoke accordingly,

"Burr,

I beg to remind everybody that traditionally, any man seeking a wife must consult a fortune teller. I wish to propose, with your consent, to go to the fortune teller, Pa Cheebo of Mbayen village for him to tell us whether the fortunes of Kumba and our king are compatible. This is a tradition which we always practise and we should be mindful of it. Tomorrow, if you so command, I can go with any other person you choose to consult the fortune teller."

The king directed Biram to go with his own sister, Linguere Njai before the preparations for a wedding commenced.

The King’s emissaries arrived at Pa Cheebo’s hut in Mbayen before midday. They told him they were sent by Burr Njai and gave him the cola nuts and twenty cowries.

Pa Cheebo went to the screened corner in his hut and started to chant some unintelligible words. After some minutes, he came out and addressed his guests:

Burr Njie

"My good friends