Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe is an award-winning Gambian author, poet, blogger, novelist, and playwright. His books have been translated into 5 different languages. Modou loves traveling and has been to 15 different countries around the world. Author of Don't Judge The Book By The Cover (2006), The Throne of The Ghost (2016), The Memories of Reflection (2014), TWAWEZA (2019), and AfriKa Not AfriCa (2020).
This week on my BLOG, I would like to dedicate a very special marriage anniversary poem to all Gambian women living anywhere in the world.
Nothing is more thrilling than the unforgettable joy of celebrating one's marriage anniversary. The sweet memories with in-laws, family, and friends, the honeymoon, and happiness remain in us forever. Although I am not married yet- and have no idea as to how married women feel on their anniversary-- I want to put a bright smile on the faces of Gambian women known for their patience and tolerance in their matrimonial homes.
Wishing y'all a happy marriage life and ever-lasting happiness!
Let me celebrate the yesteryear of our present life
When I became your darling wife
We've had our share of ups and downs
There were times when all you could do is make me frown
Through the midst of them, our relationship has grown
Yet through the clouds of love, together we've flown
You helped me out whenever your help I sought
You even apologized whenever it was not your fault
I can see the love you have for me in everything you do
The Gambia,The Smiling Coast of Africa, has produced a numerous number of highly brilliant and outstanding female authors who were, and still are,
able to assert themselves as writers, both on a national and
international platform. Moreover, information on the lives and works of
these authors are scant: which is why I chose to write about them in this article. That being said, the aim of this article is to
provide my readers with a brief biographical outline of each Gambian female author who has/had shaped our literature and promoted the advancement of women;
expand on some of their influences and themes in their work -- as well as
highlighting some of their most notable publications.
While honoring The Role of Gambian Women in The Advancement of Gambian Literature and Writing, I want you to know that there is nothing more important on earth, either past or present-- more than women. Knowing that women are very important in our society; every woman has her own destiny which doesn't exclude writing in this modern society in which men
are still the 'strongest gender'; I can't forget that a woman´s life is a
lot more complicated than a man's life. A woman has to take care of her
own personal life and if she is a mother, she has to take care also about her children´s life too. Married women have lots of worries and
believe it or not , they carry out a more stressful life than married
men. Several times in my life I have heard commentaries about the lack of
importance of women. I am personally against these kind of commentaries.
In my life, the most important person I remember is my mother. She is the first professional who shaped my writing career, also at home, the most important person is
in most of the cases is the mother. She is the one that cares about the
order , the matter and the health of all the family.
These are the female Gambian authors who were, and still are,
able to assert themselves as writers, both on a national and
international platform:
Phillis Wheatley, also spelled Phyllis and Wheatly (c. 1753 – December 5, 1784) was the first published African-American female poet. Born in West Africa,
she was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported
to North America. She was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, who taught her to read and write and encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent.
The publication of her Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral on September 1, 1773 brought her fame both in England and the American colonies. Figures such as George Washington praised her work. During Wheatley's visit to England with her master's son, African-American poet Jupiter Hammon praised her work in his own poem. Wheatley was emancipated (set free) shortly after the publication of her book.
She married in about 1778. Two of her children died as infants. After
her husband was imprisoned for debt in 1784, Wheatley fell into poverty
and died of illness, quickly followed by the death of her surviving
infant son.
2. Augusta Jawara
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hannah Augusta Darling Jawara, néeMahoney (May 1924 – 21 January 1981), was a Gambian nurse, playwright and activist for women's rights. She was the first wife of Dawda Jawara.
Augusta Mahoney was born to a prominent Christian Aku Creole family. She was the daughter of Sir John Mahoney, the first Speaker of the Legislative Council of the Gambia, and his wife Hannah. Augusta's sister was Louise N'Jie.
She studied at Mohammedan High School, where she first met her future husband, (future president) Dawda Jawara, before training in nursing in Edinburgh, Scotland. In February 1955 she married Jawara. Their first child was born in Edinburgh, where her husband had returned to study. In 1960 she stood for election to the House of Representatives in the 1960 elections, contesting Soldier Town in Bathurst unsuccessfully for her husband's party, the PPP. She thereby became the first woman candidate to stand in a Gambian national election. In 1962 she established the Women's Contemporary Society.
Jawara's play The African King was produced at the Negro Arts Festival in Dakar in 1966. In 1967 she and Dawda Jawara divorced, and he reconverted to Islam. In 1968 Mahoney published Rebellion - "perhaps the first avowedly feminist, pro-girl child book in The Gambia's literary history and tradition". Published under a pseudonym, Rebellion
was a play about Nyasta, a teenage girl in a rural village who
struggles to continue her education rather than suffer an arranged
marriage. At the time it was published she was President of the Gambia Women's Federation, which she helped to establish from women's associations in the Greater Banjul Area.
She died in London on 21 January 1981.
3. Janet Badjan-Young
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to searchJanet Badjan-Young (born 1937) is a Gambian playwright and administrator, "easily one of the most prolific playwrights" in the country.
She has a BA in Drama (UK, 1959) and a Master's degree in Communications (1979, USA). She has spent the greater part of her life outside The Gambia: in Sierra Leone, in Kenya, in Nigeria, and in the Caribbean. She worked for the United Nations Information Centre in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, before becoming Director of UNIC at Lagos, Nigeria. She is Director of the Ebunjang Theatre complex at Kanifing South.
In 2012, she was one of five Gambian women honoured for their
significant contribution to "the development of The Gambia in all
aspects of life", receiving the "Award of Excellence".
Plays/ Books
The Ultimate Inheritance, first staged 2001
The Battle of Sankandi, first produced 2002.
The Dance of Katchikali: a dance drama, first staged 2007.
The Hand of Fate, published 2009.
Chains of Inspiration, produced 2011.
Other
"Collective War Against Poverty", A.M. News, Thursday (April, 1 1): 6.
4. Dr. Ralphina Phillot Almeida
Ralphina de Almeida nee Phillott (1972 MA Advanced History, Politics and Sociology):
Was a Senior Lecturer in Development Studies, with special focus on Gender Studies at the University of The Gambia ( UTG). She has worked there during the past ten years, launching, expanding and firmly establishing a gender studies unit, from an initial
“Introduction to concepts and theories” module to a “Gender and sectoral practices" component up to an advanced “Research methods” level.
She was asked to switch from her original University of Birmingham ‘History and Sociology’ area of concentration, because of the then perceived need to open a gender facility at this newly-fledged
(1999) university. Also, it was as a result of the fact that she was appointed by the Government
in 1983 to open and administer the first National Women’s Development Office in The
Gambia. Since then, she has served as the National Gender Advisor/Consultant, par excellence to Government, UN agencies and civil society organizations, as well as a lecturer in the gender and development discipline.
She continued to conduct research in this area, two of which have been published by the council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) in 2006 and 2009. She has also had two books published: one on the history of a Kingdom of the Ancient Sahelin Empire of Kaabu
(2011), the other on Poems and Krio Proverbs (2007).
She cherished fond memories of the warm and congenial ethos at the Centre for West
African Studies, under the headship of the late Prof. John D. Fage and his team of tutors
and administrative staff. They were a small but friendly, inter-active and dedicated group
of both British and African postgraduate students. Our studies in the MA degree programme were enriched by the catalytic tutorial and academic insights, which were bestowed upon them by a fine team of expert lecturers/readers. The research findings ascended onto the high intellectual peaks that were established in the works of authors
like Margaret Mead, J.S. Trimmingham, Yves Person, among others, are still memorable and useful even today in her academic work and writings at the University of The Gambia.
To these academic acquisitions, friendships and other benefits derived from
the Centre for West African Studies and University of Birmingham at large in 1971/1972, she became most Influential Gambian woman of all time in creative writing.
Books: Poems, Stories and Krio Proverbs, An outline history of Pachesi: Drawn from oral tradition, the history of a Kingdom of the Ancient Sahelin Empire of Kaabu
(2011), etc
5. Patience Sonko-Godwin
Patience Sonko-Godwin (born 1943) is a Gambian historian.
Born in Banjul, Patience Sonko-Godwin was educated in the Gambia before going to St. Edwards Senior Secondary School in Freetown, Sierra Leone to have her sixth form education.She studied history at Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone, and gained a masters at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Sonko-Godwin worked as a teacher at Nusrat High School until 1989, when
he was appointed Principal Cultural Officer at the National Council for
Arts and Culture. Executive Director of the Council from 1991 to 1998,
she retired in 1998 to concentrate on her research and writing.
Works/Books
Ethnic groups of the Senegambia: a brief history, 1985
Ethnic groups of the Senegambia Region: social and political structures: precolonial period, 1986
Trade in the Senegambia region : precolonial period, 1988
Leaders of the Senegambia region: reactions to European infiltration, 19th-20th centuries, 1995
Social and political structures in the precolonial periods: ethnic groups of the Senegambia Region, 1997
Trade in the Senegambia region: from the 12th to the early 20th century, 2004
Development of local industries in the Senegambia region: from pre-colonial to the colonial period, 2004
6. Dr. Sukai Mbye Bojang
Dr. Sukai Mbye Bojang was born on 8 March 1955 in Banjul The Gambia. She has undoubtably stood out to be one of the most outstanding Gambian women of our time in the advancement of Gambian literaure and writing from her wealth of experience which can be summarized below:
Professional Working Experience:
Name of Employer: Gambia National Commission for
UNESCO
Position Title: Secretary GeneralMarch
2001 to February 2012
Location: Banjul, The Gambia
Name of Employer: Ministry of Health & Social
Welfare
Position Title: Deputy Permanent SecretarySept. 1997-March 2001
Location: Banjul, The Gambia
Name of Employer: Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources
Position Title: Deputy Permanent SecretaryJuly 1995-September
1997
Location: Banjul, The Gambia
Name of Employer: Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture
Position Title: Principal Assistant SecretaryMay 1993–June 1995
Location: Banjul, The Gambia
Name of Employer: Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture
Position Title: Senior Assistant SecretaryDecember 1988-April
1993
Location: Banjul, The Gambia
Name of Employer: Office of the President
Position Title: Assistant SecretaryMay 1985-November 1988
Location: Banjul, The Gambia
Name of Employer: Gambia Government
Position Title: Editor, Gambia News BulletinJuly 1979-April 1985
Location: Banjul, The Gambia
Related Experience Name of business: Gambia Educational Enterprise
Writer and editor1986 to date
Books/ Publications
Co-author with Dembo
Fanta Bojang of the following books:
1. English for The Gambia Books 1-32006-2008
2. Social & Environmental Studies Books 6-91987-2008
3. Mathematics for The Gambia Books 1-91987-2010
4. Folk Tales and Fables from The Gambia
Volumes 1-22011
5. Folk Tales and Fables of The Gambia Volume
3 (sole author) 2012
6. Folk tales and fables of The Gambia Volume
4 (sole author)2013
7. Sally Saidy Singhateh
Sally Sadie Singhateh (born 1977) is a Gambian poet and novelist. Sally Sadie Singhateh was born
in 1977 and wrote her first full-length work when she was 16. She has
since published one children’s book and three novels, the latest of
which is called Baby Trouble (2006, East African Educational Publishers,
Nairobi, Kenya). Her poetry won her an International Poetry Award of
Merit in 1995. Sally,
who has a background in communication, international relations and
literature with focus on creative writing, currently works with The
Foundation for Research on Women’s Health, Productivity and the
Environment (BAFROW) as the communications officer.
Books: The Sun Will Soon Shine, Baby Trouble, and Christie's Crisis
8. Rohey Samba
Rohey Samba-Jallow is the Director of Communications, Outreach and Media for
the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). Mrs.
Samba-Jallow works with a team of communications and
reconciliation officers and work closely with the Executive Secretary
and Commissioners to deliver on the mandate of the TRRC. Mrs.
Samba-Jallow is currently the Secretary General of the Writers’
Association of The Gambia ( WAG) and Secretary to the Board of the Collecting
Society of The Gambia responsible for instituting copyright laws. Rohey
also runs a charitable foundation, Japo Ligueyal Gambia, whose
primary objective is to help raise funds to finance projects and welfare
programs for socially, economically and culturally disadvantaged
communities in The Gambia.
Books:
Heart songs : an anthology of poems
9. Ramatoulie O. Othman
Ramatoulie Onikepo Othman works as a Senior Manager, Admin. at The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA). In She is the Treasurer of The Writers' Association of The Gambia (WAG).
Books:The Ethnic Group in Banjul, A Cherished Heritage
(1999), The Yoruba Diaspora in the Atlantic Worldand Costly Prices (2005)
10. Mary Caroline Gomez
Mary
Caroline Gomez is a Gambian youth with a passion to see her generation and the generations to come, be what they were created to be.
She
obtained a certificate in Nursing at the Gambia College School of Nursing and
Midwifery.
Three
of her books have been approved by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary
Education ( MoBSE) for use in schools.
Books: Ariala, Expression, Trapped, The Little Foxes and The Mirror
11. Aisha Jawara
Aisha
Jawara is a young Gambian writer and author. Aisha started writing at the age of 12.
Ms
Jawara has written a lot of short stories published in
magazines.
Books: The Last Custodians and The Chosen Ones
References and Source of Research: List of Gambian writers, Gambian publications, Wikipedia and The Writers' Association of The Gambia (WAG)
( VERY IMPORTANT: Please, do not forget to subscribe to my BLOG by typing your e-mail in the space above)
Welcome back to The Voice of The Pen ( VoP), the only blog that publishes articles weekly on Gambian literature and publications, arts and culture.
This week, I choose to celebrate and recognize special Gambian women in our country's history as a celebration of women’s efforts across the nation to make the world a better place for females.
These are the ladies who paved the way for women to have a place not only in the house, but the Statehouse and all other workplaces in and outside The Gambia.
Here are the 20 influential Gambian women who continue to inspire us.
1. Hon. Fatou Bensouda
She has been the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor since June 2012, after having served as a Deputy Prosecutor in charge of the Prosecutions Division of the ICC since 2004 and having been minister of justice of The Gambia. She has held positions of Legal Adviser and Trial Attorney at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).
2. Dr. Isatou-Njie Saidy
Isatou Njie-Saidy (also spelt Aisatu N'Jie-Saidy) (born 5 March 1952) is a Gambian politician. She was Vice President of The Gambia, as well as Secretary of State for Women's Affairs, from 20 March 1997 to 18 January 2017. She is the first Gambian woman to have held the position of Vice President and one of the first women in West African politics to reach this senior position
3. Madam. Zeinab Jammeh
Zeinab Suma Jammeh (born October 5, 1977) is the former First Lady of The Gambia and the main wife of the former President of The Gambia, Dr. Yahya Jammeh. Zeinab Suma (or Soumah) was born to AlhajiIbrahima and Rhimou El Hassady Soumah in Morocco. Zeinab has undoubtably been a source of inspiration to hundred of thousands Gambian women from her Foundation and Baby and Children Platform.
4. Hon. Madam. Hawa Sisay-Sabally
Hawa Sisay-Sabally is a Gambian lawyer who served as Attorney General from 1996–1998 and has since spoken out against corruption in The Gambia and represented opposition politicians in criminal cases regarding their participation in pro-democracy protests.
5. Madam. Fatou Bah Barrow
Current First Lady of The Republic of The Gambia and First Wife of H.E. President Adama Barrow.
6. Madam. Sarjo Mballow
Second Lady of The Republic of The Gambia and the Second Wife of Gambian President H. E. Adama Barrow.
7. Dr. Ralphina D'Almeida ( Ralphina Philott Almeida)
Ralphina de Almeida nee Phillott (1972 MA Advanced History, Politics and Sociology). A Senior Lecturer in History and Development. The First Principal of The Gambia College and a founding Executive Member of The Writers' Association of The Gambia ( WAG)
8. Madam. Louise Antoinette N'Jie MBE
Louise Antoinette N'Jie MBE (23 January 1922 – 22 May 2014) was a Gambian teacher, feminist and politician who was the first woman to serve as a cabinet minister in The Gambia.
8. Hon. Dr. Fatou Lamin-Faye
Honourable Fatou Lamin Faye is an alumna of the University of Huddersfield who has risen to be an education minister in The Gambia.
From 2004, she was appointed as Minister of Education and, from 2007, Minister for Basic and Secondary Education and under her leadership, education in The Gambia has been transformed, resulting in significant improvements in children’s learning achievements in literacy and numeracy.
9. Madam. Aja Fatoumata C.M. Jallow-Tambajang
Aja Fatoumata C.M. Jallow-Tambajang (born 22 October 1949 is a Gambian politician and activist who served as Vice-President of The Gambia and Minister of Women's Affairs from February 2017 to June 2018, under President Adama Barrow.
11. Dr. Isatou Touray
Isatou Touray (born 17 March 1955) is a Gambian politician, activist, and social reformer. A noted campaigner against female genital mutilation (FGM), she became the first female Gambian presidential candidate in 2016, before dropping out to endorse Adama Barrow and Coalition 2016. She has since served in Barrow's cabinet, as Trade Minister, and then as Heath Minister.
12. Madam. Isatou Ndow
Ms. Isatou Ndow is the current Vice Principal of The Gambia College. She is a renowned scholar, an educationist and a author.
Hon. Dr. Mrs. Ceesay, Former National Speaker, The Gambia National Assembly
Hon. Dr. Mrs. Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay was former National Speaker of The National Assembly of The Gambia. Honorable, Dr. Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, a wife, mother, and grand-mother, a trained journalist by profession, and a seasoned international leader with track record of decades of public service both on a national and international levels.
In The Gambia, Hon. Ceesay held various leadership positions from state to National levels including presidential spokeswoman and press secretary. At the Gambia National Assembly, she served at various capacities including but not limited to the Chair Women and Children Affairs, and the National Speaker of the Assembly, She has served in many committees including Women & Children Rights, Foreign Affairs, and Defense & Peace committee.
In West Africa, Honorable Dr. Ceesay served at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at various capacities as well, from Resource Person for ECOWAS on Gender to Regional Stakeholders Consultative Forum. She is the first Woman to hold a Deputy Speaker position in the ECOWAS Parliament; and founding member and Coordinator of the Economic Community of Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA).
15. Fatou Camara ( Fatu Show/ Fatu Network)
A renowned T.V. Presenter and Gambian Journalist.
16. Ms. Oley Lucretia Clara Dibba-Wadda
Oley Dibba-Wadda is a strategic analyst and expert in international development policy and programming, particularly on education and gender equality in Africa. She is the Founder and President of the Gam Africa Institute (GAIL) and has lead multicultural and multidisciplinary Pan African development organisations.The African Development Bank (AfDB) have appointed her as Director of Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development with effect from July 1, 2017.
17. Fatim Mbenga Badjie
Fatim Badjie was a former Minister of Health and Communications respectively under the government of former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh. She is the Chief Executive officer of Ace Communications Executive (ACE) which she started in March 2009. A Graduate of BSc. Communications and MSc. Information Communication Technology for Development, Fatima is an experienced expert in media relations, ICT and strategic planning and execution.
18. Patience Sonko-Godwin
Patience Sonko-Godwin (born 1943) is a Gambian historian.
Born in Banjul, Patience Sonko-Godwin was educated in the Gambia before going to St. Edwards Senior Secondary School in Freetown, Sierra Leone to have her sixth form education. She studied history at Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone, and gained a masters at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Sonko-Godwin worked as a teacher at Nusrat High School until 1989, when she was appointed Principal Cultural Officer at the National Council for Arts and Culture. Executive Director of the Council from 1991 to 1998, she retired in 1998 to concentrate on her research and writing.
19.Janet Badjan-Young
Janet Badjan-Young (born 1937) is a Gambian playwright and administrator, "easily one of the most prolific playwrights" in the country.
20. Prof. Dr. Ameena Ali
Prof. Ameena Ali holds a PhD™ and she maternally serve Indigent/homeless, undocumented, sexually trafficked, incarcerated, DV, HIV & Teen Women. She graduated from the
University of Phoenix
Greater New York City Area. She lives in USA and she is a renowned Gambian scholar and lecturer.
21. ( kindly suggest any other name (s) to me should you know any)
Should you know any other renowned Gambian lady ( ladies) past or present, who should be added on this list; kindly send me an e-mail to:
