A respectable crowd gathered, last Friday, at Chamen Village, Lower Niumi District, to commemorate the annual Gamo (Muslim night of thanks giving and prayers).

The night long programme was preceded by the arrival of hundreds of Chamens and their respective families, friends, and well wishers around the country and Senegal.  

The village atmosphere was turned into a galaxy of buzz with noise, display of grand african attires, only known in bigger towns and cities, as people come from far and wider to give this august night the significance and repute it deserves.  There were cows slaughtered and good food cooked for the event and we all had a good bite of the food on offer.

There were great speakers on the night and they all spoke on the greatness of Islam as a religion and the virtues of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that all Muslim should emulate.

Also on revelation were the good and great characteristics that make-up the lives and times of Bai Nyasse (Cheikh Al Islam),  founder and leader of the Tijina Sect in Sub-Saharan Africa. All speakers on the night dwelt on his greatness as a great african scholar and man of great blessings who led an eventful life, may his soul rest in eternal bless, Amen!

Mr. Baba Cham was the (MC) Master of Ceremony introducing speakers and distinguished personalities, also seized the opportunity to give an overview of the  on the minor but pivotal history bits of the village, the Gamo and others, a native of chamen and works at Elton Oil.  Serign Baboucarr Cham was the grand speaker on the night. I was so impressed with his following and popularity within the Jijania following her and in Senegal. Bai Ebra Nyasse, Ousman Nyasse (Name Shake) all spoke on the night.

An event of such grand nature does not happen without financial commitment and that was also on the offerings.  The villages did their financial contributions and local fund raising, the Chamiens in the Greater Banjul Area also did their own fund risings and contributions.  Mention was made of Njame Jallow a native but resident of USA and Alh. Baba Njie a resident of Banjul as two but major contributors to the Gamo 2008.

Senegambian relations

This Gamo to me has great offerings as it also serves as a bridge and an interface between the Gambia and Senegal and its people who all has a common root in history.

Like Bai Nyasse, the scholars (speakers) on the nights were from Senegal and they gave us a good night of listening and learning.  Gambia to this day do send our daughters and sons to Senegal to acquire knowledge in Islam as is manifested in the great and good such as Omar Bun Jeng, May his soul rest in eternal bliss too, Amen!

I was very impressed with our Senegalese brothers and sisters coming all the way to grace such mighty nights of knowledge with us and we exchange life experiences, goodies and greetings.  Traders also come from far and wide to see to us as we also sell to them what Gambia has on offer at the village.  Generally, it was a night of Islam and so too a night of cementing Sene-Gambienne relations.

The Gamo finally came to a close at Dawn a few minutes before Dawn prayers and the crowd disappeared into their respective destinations after pray and hope to see again next year in greater numbers and abilities.  They prayed for all, for the Gambia and its inhabitants and their sister country of Senegal and africa at large.  They greeted the government of the Gambia for the enabling environment and progress in the state of the country and tranquillity.