Axioms

..........................INTERVIEW:
On-Line Portals Can Become an Engine of Good for Posterity.
In my pieces I am trying to capture the essence of the Gambian
experienced as seen through the eyes of many. My objective is to
write stories that will resonate with many people. In a way it is a
celebration of our common heritage, interest, experience and way of life
that reflects the broader Gambian communality.

" BOY DOMA " - The Gambian Einstein
His theory, on solar eclipse alien to the crowd, and a people unable to
comprehend this new revolutionary idea, quickly dubbed him "Boy
Doma" - a name that regrettably signifies fear of the unknown, yet at
the same time embodies a grudging respect and admiration for unusual
talent. In retrospect this becomes the reflection of the state of mind of
a society and in a larger context, a nation still wrestling from traditional
beliefs at the dawn of the 20th century

NERVES - An Apotheosis of a whole generation
What is certain is that the Nerves movement is still alive and kicking in
the Gambia. This movement is akin to Moses biblical exodus to the
Promised Land with one fundamental difference. To the Gambian
Nerve community there are many promised lands and more than one
Moses to lead the faithful.

UNICLAM - A Nawettan Phenomen
In 2004, I went to the Gambia after many years in absentia and met this
stranger at the Serekunda market. Amidst the bustling crowd, and the
incessant noise of taxi cabs he yelled Laama! Laama! And when I
turned around he shook my hand and said “uniclam”! I smiled and
nodded. The strangers name was “Jupita” great a supporter of
serekunda west soccer.

ROUSE -The Ideosyncracies of youth
After drinking tea "Attaya", they would lay on their backs savoring
the quietness of the night and gazing at the constellation of stars. Here
each member of the Paco's friends would for a moment be lost in his
own thoughts oblivious to the world around him before eventually
falling asleep with such youthful indifference to what tomorrow will
brings.

ERINJANG - Under the Shadow of the gods
Living close to nature teaches you something unique and fundamental
to the human psyche. It helps develops your instincts, strengthen
your spatial awareness, better understanding of nature and a great
respect for the sacred. This environment also molds your character by
instilling discipline, resilient and fortitude. Erinjang provides a sense
of communal protection that enables its youth to go forth and live their
lives with great hope and confidence.

87 STUDENT RIOT -Lost of our Innocence
" In the recrimination that followed '87 riot it was hope by everyone
that this incident would not only served as a wake up call to the
government but that the lessons learned will enable public officials,
school administrators, parents and students to better communicate
during crisis. Sadly these lessons were quickly forgotten and just over
a decade later this scene exploded once again this time with tragic
consequences "

FANKA MANNEH - The Floating prophet
In the weeks and months that followed his death people in the
neighborhood and beyond began to come forward with the revelations
that He has indeed prophesied his own departure from this world.
While his prophecy was very cryptic at the time, its meanings has
suddenly dawn upon them revealing the truth for all eternity

DEUTCHLAND - Land of My Dreams
After only two years in Europe, Pico had already shipped three cars. A
Peugeot 505, a Ford sierra, and Mercedes Benz 190. He had paid for his
father’s pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca and sponsored two of
his..friends to come over. He felt proud, smiled to himself and is
suddenly overwhelm by a strong sensation. A feeling of
accomplishment, a goal that has been his focused all along. He cried a
little bit and quietly .muttered to himself. God bless Germany

KARAMOKO - An embodiment of a Genius, Mystics and Teacher
Amidst the plethora of rites that followed, Rafiki explained how during
his sojournment in the wilderness he had dwell in the realm of higher
human consciousness and had met and paid tribute to all the saints
past and present that had ever visited this region. How he battled evil
for forty days and forty nights. How in the same matrix he had received
revelations to migrate and start a new community in this location.
Mesmerize the family could not help but noticed the large following he
now commands, the aura of mystical reverenced that surrounds him
and the sudden realization that the boy that once hailed from their
bosom has finally become a man, a wise man, a great -Karamoko.

AFRICA - A Confluence of History, Tragedy & Hope
As a laid down my pen, and look at the night sky I cannot help but be
reminded of the prophecy of Papa Africanus who centuries ago threw
his beads on the naked earth, and in a frenzy point to the sea and
foretold the coming of the white men. He wept for days for he has seen
in a vision the strife and sufferings that is about to befall his beloved
continent, AFRICA

The Chronicles of Bai Peul: THE GRADUATION
Perplexed, bewildered even embarrassed, many of the guests decide to
leave before any more damaged is done ..in their presence. The
following morning when news of this meltdown reached the entire
community, many .realized that what has happened is no graduation
ceremony but rather the coronation of a fool, a nincompoop .who is
about to unleashed his double degrees wisdom to an unsuspecting
community that has nothing but love. ..for him. Many lamented how
they once hope his education, and training would mold him into a
better soul

The new paradigm of Gambian civil servants is
to be excellent griots in office and fierce critic
out of office. This my friends,is an interesting
dichotomy.
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd

All too often, we have heard tales of debauchery
at Kana-ta, .....and yet all too often we have hard
tales of great wisdom at Kana-ta.
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd

The fact that Jawara's 30 years regime was
overthrown in broad daylight without a single
act of resistance….without a single act of
defiance by the multitude of PPP militants
should be a cause for concern to any Gambian
leader.
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd

I envision a Gambia that is the new Atlantis,
where the people are masters of the arts,
sciences, poetry, music and religion. Where
greed, envy and jealousy are a thing of the past .
Where there is nothing but a singularity of
purpose.
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd

Any society that embraces corruption as just a
normal act of doing business, or regard people
engage in such act as being "blessed" or imbued
with some form of "baraka" is certainly a
measure of its decadence.
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd

One thing even his critics will agree on is that
President Jammeh does not practiced gender
discrimination as evidenced by his appointment
practices
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd

In my book!... Halifa Sallah is national treasure.
But I still cannot fathom why his populist
principle is yet to germinate within The Gambian
political landscape."
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd

The internet is an Interesting place. Here A can
called himself B, make friends with C who is
actually D, fiercely argue with E who is actually
F and have D defend E and blamed it all on X
without ever leaving the home or office.
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd

Politics is a powerful thing. It is the one
phenomenon that many proclaim never to
involve or practice and yet find themselves daily
immersed in mundane issues that are noting but
political
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd

The Gambia Armed Forces is an extraordinary
institution. For it has molded mediocre men who
turn out to become great erudite scholars,
diplomats, literary writers, mystics, and
historians .
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd

In this historic and epic battle currently raging
on-line between the many different and
sometimes diametrically opposing views, the
Truth has become the first casualty
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd

Throughout Gambian History, Political Parties
are yet to demonstrate an orderly succession of
power from one individual to another. All too
often the individual is the party and the demise
of the individual is in essence the demise of the
Party
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd

July 22nd, 1994 Gambians were euphoric; the
likes which have been seen since gaining
independence. Many proclaimed it as an act of
divine providence. Now after more than a decade
others wonder if this was not an aberration, an
anomaly?
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd

Sir Dawda Jawara is an enigmatic figure. After
serving as my president for 30 years he is yet to
write his memoirs. I do not know about you but
I think he owes me an explanation
~ Momodou Laama Jallow - axioms of a shepherd