By Yero S. Bah
The Network for Development of Kuloro and Tungina villages in the Kombo East District of West Coast Region, is organising its first-ever cultural festival scheduled to take place from the 26 to 28 December 2020. It is geared towards showcasing the history and cultural riches of the two communities.
Elaborating on the anticipated event, Mr. Lamin Jammeh told this medium the true history of the famous Kaddy Kebbeh, and Sitta Johe would also be captured during the festival, to educate the younger generation about these great cultural and traditional events in history.
Jammeh, a member of the Organising Committee, asserted, “History would tell you that Kuloro was established by the settlers of Tungina village; but the truth of this story is known only to the older generation.” He indicated that the festival is to preserve the rich cultures and traditions by educating the younger generation about the true history of the two Kombo East settlements, which has inspired this very initiative. There is going to be entertainment, as Jammeh disclosed the event would be characterized by symposium, cultural and musical performances, in order to make the event more colourful.
The festival is targeting the four major ethnic groups residing in these two villages, namely the Mandinkas, Fulanis, Jolas, and Manjakos, according to him. He added that all these groups would perform to showcase their respective cultures for the young people to learn from them.
“We will have [a] symposium on the history of these two villages as well as Kaddy Kebbeh,” Jammeh told this reporter during a telephone interview. He recollected that Kaddy Kebbeh was a renowned woman known for her charisma among the people she once lived with.
However, Jammeh held that “false stories” have emerged which didn’t represent her life, thus the festival seeks to reveal the true story of her from reliable sources.
Outlining that the challenges are numerous notably financial, cultural and social, he said coronavirus has also played some part in these challenges because the organizers find it hard to get donors in these trying movements. Pointing out community scepticism as another hurdle, he further explained that some of the community members might not yet fully understand the concept behind the festival. “The main goal is to preserve our history and cultures through educating our younger generation,” he added.
Jammeh reported that the organizing committee is doing everything possible to stage the festival peacefully, while respecting all the Covid-19 safety protocols as well as security matters. The committee, he went on, is aware of the restrictions made by government due to the pandemic, and therefore plans are underway not to break any of the rules. He promised that any funds raised from the festival would be spent on the development of the two communities, disclosing that they had written letters to various individuals and institutions for possible support regarding accommodation, feeding and other logistics during the festival.He assured that the event Management Committee has conducted a security survey and they are prepared to provide security for all the participants.
Jammeh used the interview to appeal for more support from individuals for the successful hosting of this maiden cultural event in Kombo East.
“Cultural advocates” believe culture is fundamental in the identification of individual tribes and ethnic origins as it distinctively displays their traditional beliefs and geological roots.
