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ARTS & CULTURE: Another arts exhibition

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:05:53 GMT

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Tuesday, December 02, 2008

As stated in the previous editions of this column,the term arts is the human creative skills or its application. Culture is the arts and other manifestations of human intellectaul achievements regarded collectively. On the other hand,exhibition is the display of works of an art or artist.

Arts as a manifestation of human creative skills has no restriction.Arts is not confined to any single georgraphical location. Nobody can claim monopoly over arts or artistic work.

The world of arts requires creativity, commitment and constant zeal to excel day in and day out.Arts has played and continues to play significant role in our daily lives.

It has been a source of pride for many, especially those who took up the skill as a profession. Throughout human history on this planet, we have been hearing and seeing industrious individuals who continue to make a name for themselves in the world of arts.

At home front here in the Gambia,we have seen artistic works of Comrade Ebou Sillah,Babucarr Etu Ndow and a host of other top flight and sprouting artists, who exhibited their artistic works and talents at both local and international level.

This time round we are about to witness yet another cross-cutting multi-cultural arts exhibition sheduled to take place at the prestigious and glamorous Alliance Franco Gambienne on Kairaba Avenue from the 4th to 31st December 2008.

This somewhat rare artistic exhibition of our time, is wholeheartedly and proudly organised by Mr Yuspalkala, internationally renowned Nigerian artist. Mr Yuspalkala is a prominent painter and sculptor of African subjects and a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University in creative arts.

He held series of arts exhibitions throughout the length and breadth of Africa and beyond,especially in our sister Republic of Senegal,where he was stationed for the past couple of years before he stormed the Gambian arts industry. This forth coming exhibition at the Alliance Franco Gambienne is divided into three main segments.

Each segment is expected to showcase different and unique aspects of arts,especially the contemporal arts.Schedule one of the programme will feature the official opening of the arts exhibition on 4th December to be followed by Children’s workshop on the 13th and Adult’s workshop from 27th to 28th December 2008 respectively.

“The arts exhibition will exclusively feature African traditional cultural norms and values.It is geard towards promotion,development and preservation of the spirit of African traditional cultural norms and values.

I clearly acknowledged that the Gambia has the potentials for development and promotion of arts and culture.The talent and potentials are there.Its about utilising them”, Yuspalkala told the arts and culture anchorman in a recent chat ahead of the 4th to 31th December 2008 arts exhibition.

He also joined the list in calling on the general public to render support towards development amd promotion of the world of arts and creative industry in the Gambia,Africa and the world at large.According to him, arts is a noble profession,which contribute significantly towards socio-economic,human and political development of any given country.

The artist guru seized the opportunity and called on the general to see for themselves what the exhibition in store for them.

Author: By Sanna Jawara

GAMAT congress scheduled, Senegal Lamarana storms Banjul

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:14:17 GMT

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

The Gambia Association for Theatre (GAMAT),has scheduled its most awaitedc and talk about first ever congress of the year to January 10th 2009.

GAMAT,the first association of Gambian actors and actresses, was established in March 2008. The association comprises of artist drawn from different walks of life through out the length and breadth of the Gambia, including actors, actresses, dancers, cultural troups among others.

As is always with the case many organisations through out the world, including the Gambia, GAMAT aimed among other things to bring all its members in providing opportunity or opportunities for them,to promote production of quality, affordable and accessible movies,to improve on acting techniques and skills of its members,to collaborate with both local and international institutions in the field of theatre development,to strengthen the capacity of its members in the area of management,direct script development and production.

The January 2009 Gamat congress is meant to select the first ever new Executive Committee that will take over the leadership from the interim
committee of the association.The said congress is also scheduled to adopt the drafted constitution of the association,which will make it binding on all its
members.

Mr Saul Jagne,Acting Chairman of the task force of GAMAT said, his executive committee has registered significant progress in the course of their tenure
since the inception of the association in March to date.According to him, the interim committee embarked on numerous activities such as drama, radio
competition at unique FM in Bakau,which was sponsored by the proprietor,Alhaji Lamin Manga.”The radio programme will start effective this Sunday and every other sunday.

This is a sensitisation programme for both artist community and the general public.The visit of the two Senegalese top flight actors, Ebrima Mboge alias Lamarana Jallow and Lamin Njie, meant a lot for the Gambian artist and their fans. We want to utilise and share their skills and exprience with the Gambian actors and actresses, that is the rational for organising the workshop at the Gambia Family planning Association”,he told the Arts and Culture anchorman in a recent chat ahead of the January 10th 2009 congress.

Ebrima Mboge alias Lamarana Jallow and Lamin Njie, both renowned Senegalese actors spoke to the Arts and Culture on their trip to The Gambia,life and the world of commedian or acting.Lamin Njie,said he came to the Gambia on a working visit.The visit he added is meant to share exprience and ideas with their Gambian counterparts in the world of arts,especially movie industry.

He described the Gambia’s movie industry as moving in the right direction. Lamarana Jallow,also made similar comments. According to the Senegalese top flight commedian,The Gambia has the potentials to devlop her arts industry compare to any other country in the world.

“In the course of our stay in The Gambia we will meet diffferent artistS and art lovers as well as art promoters in way meant towards promotion, development and preservation of the spirit of arts and culture in the Gambia. We are conducting a workshop for the Gambian artists, especially actors and actresses and other aspiring movie stars”, Lamarana Jallow explained to the arts and culture anchorman.

Author: by Sanna Jawara

President Jammeh bags 3 international awards

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:56:06 GMT

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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, the president of the Republic of The Gambia, yesterday received in his office at State House in Banjul representatives of the International Parliament for Safety and Peace (IPSP), led by Dr George Raif, the ambassador of the IPSP.

Dr George Raif was at State House to present 3 international awards to President Jammeh. The awards, which include Senator for Life, Vice President for the International Parliament for Safety and Peace (IPSP) and the Honorary Degree and Academic Award for Traditional Medicine Treatment, are from the IPSP and the University of Costa Rica.

Presenting the awards to President Jammeh, Dr George Raif the ambassador of the IPSP said the two awards (Senator for Life and Vice President of IPSP) are from many African and European presidents, who decided that Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh should be honored for all his positive deeds towards the promotion of peace and safety in Africa, especially in the sub-region.

He described President Jammeh as a man of peace who has been championing peace in many African countries, with special emphasis on Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone. He also conveyed the Costa Rica University’s special congratulatory message to President Jammeh for receiving the Senator for Life award.

Receiving the award, President Jammeh thanked the IPSP for honoring The Gambia with this great award in recognition of the service that he, the president, has rendered to humanity on behalf of the Gambian people.

“These awards would not have been possible without the full support and prayers of the Gambian people. Little did I know that what I am doing here in The Gambia is known all over the world,” President Jammeh remarked.

The Gambian leader revealed that his involvement in traditional medical treatment is not for money or fame, but instead is meant for the sake of humanity. He then recalled that when he started the HIV/AIDS treatment (the Breakthrough), many things were said all over the world and the international media came to The Gambia to cover the treatment programme.

He said despite all what was said, his treatment programme was successful. This was proven by medical laboratories that are internationally recognized. He added that the award he received from the University of Costa Rica came as a surprise to him. President Jammeh finally thanked the IPSP and the University of Costa Rica for recognizing his efforts for humanity.

Speaking earlier, Honourable Fatim Badjie-Janneh, secretary of state for Communication, Information and Information Technology, on behalf of her fellow secretaries of state thanked Dr George Raif and his colleagues for presenting the awards to President Jammeh.

SoS Badjie-Janneh also described President Jammeh as a role model for other African presidents. Dr Omar Touray, secretary of state for Foreign Affairs, also described the award as a worthwhile one and a fitting tribute to The Gambia. He thanked the IPSP for recognizing President Jammeh’s efforts in peace building in Africa.

Author: by Assan Sallah

Welcome to the new Wow.gm

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:23:29 GMT

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

As you have noticed Wow.gm went through a major transition and is now a user-driven website, displaying articles about Gambia from many different sources.
The new Wow was launched to bring together Gambia’s interesting, wonderful and sometimes unbelievable stories and we decided to give more power and influence to our users and let them participate in publishing and ranking articles. Users may now submit links to articles they like from any website and want to share with other readers who can then view, comment and rank them. The most popular stories appear on top of the list depending on their voting.

Of course, you can still comment on any submission, so keep the discussion going!

Wow shows the title and a short description of the article; in order to read the full story users will be directed back to the source site.

Submitting, promoting and commenting can be done anonymously but if users want to have their names to appear together with their submissions or other activities they can sign up for free and create an account.

Wow’s homepage shows the current favourite stories at the top of the page according to the community’s ranking. Upcoming shows the most recently added news organised by the time added. This is the place to watch out for new interesting stuff coming up and then promote it to have it appear on the most popular list on the homepage.

We hope that our users will enjoy this new concept of community participation, article submission and ranking and look forward to seeing your favourite stories on Wow. We also would like to take this opportunity to thank our readers for their loyal support and feedback which give us ideas and motivation to continue to develop this website! Jerrejef, abarraka and thank you!

And now – enjoy the new Wow!

Reciprocal Love

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:50:38 GMT

Friday, November 14, 2008

Love begets love. To love is good, to be loved is better. To love and be loved is the best of all.

The warm relationship between the First Family and the Gambian people is a fine example of an exemplary one. This degree of warmth has been manifested over the years in different forms but perhaps most poignantly by the contribution of the Njekeys towards the naming ceremony of Baby Muhammed Jammeh.

In fact, the outpouring of positive sentiments that followed the announcement of Baby Muhammed’s birth itself clearly elucidates the love that not just Gambian women but Gambians and people residing in this country have for the president and his family.

One might at this point be tempted to ask why this is so. The reason is obvious to any discerning observer. The people love the president because he first loved them. The First Family is a model of sacrifice and love for country that all other families should endeavour to emulate.

Thus, it is not a surprise that the women made this move. Since 1994, the status of women has greatly improved. More opportunities have been created for them under President Jammeh’s administration.

The First Lady’s stance on and efforts towards the promotion of such issues as child care, health and women’s empowerment are well known. She has done a lot for Gambian women in particular and the country in general.

It is for these and other innumerable reasons that Gambians love the First Family. After all, how does one repay someone who loves one so much and has does so much for one? You love them back.
Yes. Love begets love.

Author: DO

Raskoras releases new album

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:54:26 GMT

Friday, November 14, 2008

The Gambia’s cultural mbalax star, King Raskoras, recently released a new album called “Kumma Si Japaileh Ma Dem.

” This creative masterpiece represents one of finest art works as it comprises old tunes from his career high albums. He is a versatile singer who has been working day in day out to take his music to another level.

In an interview with What’s On, Ras d said: “If you listen to this album, you will appreciate it because it contains conscious and positive messages.”
“The album was out last month,” he added.

According to him, the album is so popular that it sold out.
He also lauded the management of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) who are the sole sponsors of this masterpiece.

Among the hit tunes in the album are Miss Black, Senegambia Nu Benoh, Africa Gaw Gaw, U-17”. Any individual or companies willing to render support can contact him on 9980106, 7700897

Author: by Sheriff Janko

NCAC, Maalis Music School stage Kora festival

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:57:40 GMT

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in collaboration with the Maalis Music School,located in Nemakunku,Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) are set to organise the first ever Kora festival in the Gambia.

This somewhat rare Kora festival in the history of the Gambia,has been scheduled to take place from 4th to 15th November 2008.

The festival is initiated by an erudite and renowned Gambian Kora music player called Alajie Mbye.Mr Mbye is renowned for his spirited Kora play at both local and international level.He has contributed significantly towards promotion,development and preservation of the spirit of Kora music in the Gambia and beyond.

This first ever beautiful, glamorous and spectacular Kora festival, undoubtedly is part and parcel of tireless and relentless efforts geared towards promotion,development and preservation of the spirit of arts and culture in the Gambia,Africa and the world at large, especially the world of Kora music.

The festival is best described as revival and re-enforcement of the spirit of Africa’s one time traditional cultural musical instrument and great source of pride for Africans,especially the griot and the elite dated back to centuries.

“Kora” is an instrument with 21 strings, a typical traditional cultural musical instrument, which has played an important role in our daily lives, especially in terms of entertaining,informing and educating people on the daily occurences,which touch on history and other aspects of human life.

According to a dispatched information relayed to the Arts and Culture anchorman from the organising committee of this first ever and spectacular Kora festival, the programme is divided into three main components.

The three components consist of a workshop to be organised for people with average interest and desire to learn and play the art of Kora music, A conference on revival of Kora instrument in the Gambia.The theme for this component is “ Changing the role of griots and their importance in today’s world in preserving the Gambian culture” and the third category is a Kora concert by both local and international griots respectively.

In a recent chat with the Arts and Culture anchorman ahead of the 14th and 15th November Kora festival,Alajie Mbye founder of the Maalis Music School and Initiator of the festival, accompanied by Isatou Njie, Performing Arts Officer at the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and Annalena W. Drammeh,a Swedish national all spoke at length on the importance of the Kora festival and its possible impact on the development,preservation and promotion of Gambian culture,especially the Kora instrument.

They each described the festival as a true revival of arts and culture in the Gambia and beyond.They further rated it as a right step in the right direction and saw it as important as any other regional and subregional cultural festival.

For Isatou Njie, the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) is true partner to the Kora festival and the centre has thrown its full support to the festival.

She seized the opportunity to reveal plans of the NCAC and disclosed their plan to institutionalise the festival in the Gambia.

According to Alajie Mbye, founder of the Maalis Music School,said the workshop will be held on Friday and the cultural musical performance will be on Saturday at the Buffer Zone in Talinding,KMC.

Author: by Sanna Jawara

Aziz and 'Babayeh' miss out

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:02:13 GMT

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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The Swedish Superettan (second division) season ended in disappointment for Aziz Corr Nyang and Lamin ‘Babayeh’ Conateh’s Assyriska.

After spending the greater part of the season swaying between automatic promotion and play-off spots the team tumbled out of both on the final weekend of the season when they suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss at home Angelholm.

The defeat condemns the team to another year in the second division, more than they had wished after their promotion from the third division last season.

Assyriska dominated the opening proceedings and their efforts were rewarded after only 10 minutes when Ostlundh converted a penalty to give the home side the lead.

With Aziz starting on the bench, Assyriska continued to dominate but failing to convert their chances they were punished by the visitor 5 minutes into the second half.

The equalizer forced the coach to bring on crowd favorite Aziz in the 60th minute. The substitution nearly paid-off instantly when the Gambian international dribbled pass two opponents but instead of shooting from a good position he chose to lay the ball on for Goran Marklund, who wasted a glorious chance with an audacious lob attempt.

Aziz’s Gambia team mate Lamin ‘Babayeh’ Conateh was again unused for the game.

Author: DO

Source: (Source: Gambiasports.gm)

Arts and Culture: African Commission stages musical Jamboree

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:42:25 GMT

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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The African Commission on Human and Peoples Right, with Headquarters in The Gambia, last Tuesday ,’21st October’ held a massive artist musical Jamboree at the Dream park Garden in Kololi.

The first ever cultural mix artist musical performance organised by the Human Right Commission, was part of a flurry of activities marking the African Human Right Day, ”21st October’. The event marked the 22 years of existence of the African Commissions on Human and Peoples’ Right, which was founded and established by Heads of state and Governments of the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU) now African Union (AU).The theme for this year’s event revolved around slogans such as Human Rights is our collective rights.

The African Human Rights Day came into existence through adoption of a resolution by the Commission at its 5th Ordinary session held in Benghazi,(Libya) from the 3rd to 14th April 1989. The Commission declared 21st October as the African Human Rights Day.

In commemoration of the day, the Commission headquartered in Banjul, The Gambia on Kairaba Avenue, organises a series of activities in the Gambia. The events includes a televised human rights panel discussion moderated by the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), Public lecture to the Gambia Bar Association on the role of lawyers in addressing human right issues, march pass for school children NGOs and the general public,a free musical extravaganza among others.

The artist musical and talent exhibition performance brought together both local and international artists, supporters and lovers of the world of music. The Arts and Culture anchorman accompanied by the Daily Observer’s erudite photograper Famara Drammeh, otherwise called DJ Fams, where part of the crowd gathered on the premises of Dream Park in Kololi to grace this rare human rights musical Jamboree.

If the famous sayings that, all work and no play makes sam or Jack a dull boy is anything to go by, then the Tuesday “21st October” artist musical performance organised by the African Commission on Human and Peolples’ Right is a step in the right direction geared towards promotion and protection of human rights in the world, especially in Africa.

As the case with the African Commission on Human and People’s Right,the Universal Declaration of Human and Peoples’ Rights was also adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) on 10th December 1948.

Your comments and contributions to this column are welcome either through 9996864,7649966 or sannajawara2002@yahoo.co.uk

Author: by Sanna Jawara

Gestures of encouragement

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:49:11 GMT

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

It was President Yahya Jammeh who once said that promotion would be based on merit. That statement of his only sought to explain what had in fact been prevailing hitherto, in the past decade, since when he assumed office as head of state of this country.

Of course, one’s merit must be matched with their willingness to work for their country; their dedication, patriotism and respect for the ideals of their nation.

In fact, this idea of promotion by merit is by no means limited to job opportunities as the president has also been known for encouraging Gambians, both the young and the old, in their respective endeavors, by way of showing keen interest in what we do. Sponsorship of individual endeavors and endorsement of individual performances, among a host of other gestures, are all aimed at boosting the morale of the lucky beneficiaries concerned. One could refer to them as gestures of encouragement.

The latest show of what could only be described as a show of patriotism is the president’s gesture to the three young Gambian girls, as was carried on our Monday’s edition.

President Jammeh’s belief is apparently based on the enshrined doctrines, that he so far cherished that, ‘it is only Gambians, and none else, that can take the country where they want it to get to”; yet these Gambians ought to be given that support to get to that level of being able to contribute in the development of their country.

Author: DO