A Seereer Resource Centre and Seereer Radio collaboration. Bringing you great content about the Seereer people of Senegal, Gambia and Mauritania.
Episodes
Friday Feb 12, 2016
Friday Feb 12, 2016
In December 2015, the Seereer Resource Centre in collaboration with our radio station (Seereer Radio) sent its research team to several parts of Seereer country to interview some notable and knowledgeable Seereer elders, historians / scholars on matters relating to Seereer religion, history and culture, so that we can document and preserve this before it is too late. This team was headed by Tamsier Joof and Demba Sene.
Date of first broadcast on Seereer Radio : Saturday, 6th February 2016
Presenters : Tamsier Joof and Demba Sene
Interviewees : Bure Joof, Njuma Joof and Mam Biram Joof
Other panel members : Njaga Gaye
Source language(s) : Wolof, Seereer-Siin, Saafi-Saafi and English
Subjects covered : Origin of the Seereer people; History of Njongon, Historical ties between the Seereer, Jola and Fula people, and the link between Seereer and Jola people; Meaning and etymology of Niominka; History and genealogy of the Joof family of Njongon; Role of Seereer Saltigi and Seereer rituals before sowing seeds; and Seereer villages and their founders within the Niumi area.
Radio program : Cosaan Seereer
Radio station : Seereer Radio
Owner : The Seereer Resource Centre (SRC)
Collection : The SRC Collection
Date of recording : 26th December 2015
Location : The compound of Mam Biram Joof in Njongon, Niumi, The Gambia
Medium : Audio recording
Additional information : This audio was recorded for the SRC Collection, with permission to broadcast granted to Seereer Radio | The Voice of the Seereer Community (our 24 hour stream radio station). The research team was headed by Tamsier Joof (founder of the SRC and Seereer Radio) and Demba Sene.
Information about the Joof family of Njongon : Njuma Joof and Mam Biram Joof are brothers, and Bure Joof is their paternal cousin. Njuma is the eldest, followed by Bure, then Mam Biram - the youngest. The family have been living in Njongon village since 1954, and this family are connected to the Joof family that founded many surrounding villages in the Niumi area including Njongon itself which was founded by another member of the Joof family. They are related to Alkali Ndiaga Joof who is the current alkali (village chief or mayor) of Njongon. Njaga Joof was not present during the interview but he was the one who initially introduced the SRC team to Mam Biram Joof and arranged the interview. Bure Joof did much of the talking. He is very knowledgeable about the history of the area and the history of the Seereer people of Niumi. As custom dictates, Mam Biram Joof did not speak much as his elder brother and cousin were present. The three gentlemen are Seereer Seex and speak the Seex language - i.e. Seereer-Siin. They also speak Wolof and English - Njuma and Mam Biram in particular.
Note : You can have your say about this audio by leaving a comment below. Keep it clean and relevant.
Download transcript « Télécharger la transcription » :
Visit the Seereer Resource Centre download page to download a transcript of this audio in English, French, Seereer a Sinig, Saafi-Saafi, Ndut, Sili-Sili, Noon and Laalaa.
Websites :
The Seereer Resource Centre (SRC) - www.seereer.org
Seereer Radio - www.seereerradio.com
Thursday Feb 04, 2016
Thursday Feb 04, 2016
In January 2015, the Seereer Resource Centre sent its research team to several parts of Seereer country to interview some notable and knowledgeable Seereer elders, historians / scholars on matters relating to Seereer religion, history and culture, so that we can document and preserve this before it is too late. This team was headed by Tamsier Joof and Demba Sene.
This is the second part of the interview they conducted with Professor Issa Laye Thiaw at his house in Diamagane Sicap. Dakar, Senegal. This audio is in two parts.
Date of first broadcast on Seereer Radio : Saturday, 30th January 2016
Presenters : Tamsier Joof and Demba Sene
Interviewee : Professor Issa Laye Thiaw
Other panel member : Njaga Gaye
Source language(s) : Saafi-Saafi, Seereer-Siin, Wolof, French and English
Subjects covered : The Battle of Fandane-Thiouthioune (or Battle of Somb); The proclamation of saltigis at the Battle of Somb; Saltigi Laba Jëën Ngum - his fame and wisdom; Saltigi Jaye Chas, Seereer festivals : Gamou, Gamou Kahone, Ndut, Mbooye, Tobaski, Njuud, Sowing and Harvest; Origin, meaning and etymology of Gamou; Etymology of the word julit (a term used by Senegambians to designate a Muslim); Seereer songs when a person dies; How the Seereer view death; Seereer funeral ceremony (Mbooye) and rituals when a person dies; Juuf, Joof or Diouf family consolation song when a member of the that family dies; Seereer view of heaven and death through songs; Prayers by patrilineal and matrilineal clan members when a member of that clan dies and the associated rituals; The Juuf family prayer; The Thiaw family prayer; The ritual when the deceased is being interred (for men and women and relation to Seereer numerology); Seereer paternal and maternal culture and the importance of matrilineality; Origin of Seereer matrilineality; Seereer creation myth : First human couple (female, then male) - including their names; Origin of Tobaski, Seereer Calendar (Yuuk in Seereer, Reeh in Saafi) – an agricultural calendar; The year the Seereer were supposedly driven out of Ancient Egypt : 522 BC; Kechan, Manja and Cosaan in reference to the Seereer Calendar; Seereer and Jola : The oldest inhabitants in Senegambia and the ones who brought civilisation to the Senegambia region.
Radio program : Cosaan Seereer
Radio station : Seereer Radio
Owner : The Seereer Resource Centre (SRC)
Collection : The SRC Collection
Date of recording : 8th January 2015
Location : Diamagane Sicap. Dakar, Senegal
Medium : Audio recording
Additional information : This audio was recorded for the SRC Collection, with permission to broadcast granted to Seereer Radio | The Voice of the Seereer Community (our 24 hour stream radio station). The research team was headed by Tamsier Joof (founder of the SRC and Seereer Radio) and Demba Sene. It was recorded on 8th January 2015 at Professor Thiaw's house. Apologies for the noisy background from other members of the household.
Information about Professor Issa Laye Thiaw : Professor Issa Laye Thiaw, also known as Mbañik Caw (his Seereer name, Thiaw is spelled Caw in Seereer) is a scholar of Seereer religion and history, but perhaps better known for his work on Seereer religion and culture. His work has been cited by several international scholars writing about Seereer religion and culture. Along with his writing, Professor Thiaw has also appeared as guest speaker on several inter-religious dialogue meetings. He is the author of that celebrated book "La femme Seereer." Other papers authored by Thiaw include:
- La religiosité Seereer, avant et pendant leur Islamisation
- Mythe de la création du monde selon les sages sereer
Professor Thiaw supports the Seereer Resource Centre (SRC) where he currently serves as Consultant on Seereer religion, History and Culture. Working in partnership with the Seereer Resource Centre, Professor Thiaw and the SRC are in the process of building a huge complex in Sanghe (or Sangue) - Senegal, which will be called "The Seereer Resource Centre and the Temple of Initiated Women." It will be the flagship office of the SRC where Seereer ancient religion, culture and medicine will be taught to those interested in these subjects. To learn more about this project and how you can parttake in it, visit the Seereer Resource Centre's website or e-mail us at info@seereer.com.
Note : You can have your say about this audio by leaving a comment below. Keep it clean and relevant.
Download transcript « Télécharger la transcription » :
Visit the Seereer Resource Centre download page to download a transcript of this audio in English, French, Seereer a Sinig, Saafi-Saafi, Ndut, Sili-Sili, Noon and Laalaa.
Websites :
The Seereer Resource Centre (SRC) - www.seereer.org
Seereer Radio - www.seereerradio.com
Thursday Feb 04, 2016
Thursday Feb 04, 2016
In January 2015, the Seereer Resource Centre sent its research team to several parts of Seereer country to interview some notable and knowledgeable Seereer elders, historians / scholars on matters relating to Seereer religion, history and culture, so that we can document and preserve this before it is too late. This team was headed by Tamsier Joof and Demba Sene.
This is the first part of the interview they conducted with Professor Issa Laye Thiaw at his house in Diamagane Sicap. Dakar, Senegal. This audio is in two parts.
Date of first broadcast onSeereer Radio : Saturday, 23rd January 2016
Presenters : Tamsier Joof and Demba Sene
Interviewee : Professor Issa Laye Thiaw
Other panel member : Njaga Gaye
Source language(s) : Saafi-Saafi, Seereer-Siin, Wolof, French and English
Subjects covered : Meaning and origin/etymology of the word Seereer; Meaning and etymology of the diverse Seereer groups (Seeh, Saafi, Ndut, Waro, Noon,Laalaa, Jegem); Seereer surnames; Why the Seereer groups speak different languages?; Wisdom in Classical Ndut teachings; Seereer - the earliest inhabitants of Jolof and Waalo; The Xoy Ceremony and other Seereer religious festivals; The original reason for Xoy; Seereer prayers against flooding;The great griot – Hama Juma and wisdom to acquire rain by the Saltigi class; The honour of real Saltigi in ancient times (they used to commit suicide if their predictions did not come to fruition); Saltigi wisdom was either acquired or born with; Why in Seereer culture a child deemed to be wise should have his head and eyes covered; The sacred sangool stick that the Saltigi used to used during the Xoy to announce their predictions; Seereer prayers, ways of praying and the reasons why Seereer pray; Prayers and offerings to the ancestors; The great Saltigi Laba Jeen Ngum (19th-century) and his prayer to Roog; Prayers to Roog.
Radio program : Cosaan Seereer
Radio station : Seereer Radio
Owner : The Seereer Resource Centre (SRC)
Collection : The SRC Collection
Date of recording : 8th January 2015
Location : Diamagane Sicap. Dakar, Senegal
Medium : Audio recording
Additional information : This audio was recorded for the SRC Collection, with permission to broadcast granted to Seereer Radio | The Voice of the Seereer Community (our 24 hour stream radio station). The research team was headed by Tamsier Joof (founder of theSRC and Seereer Radio) and Demba Sene. It was recorded on 8th January 2015at Professor Thiaw's house. Apologies for the noisy background from other members of the household.
Information about ProfessorIssa Laye Thiaw : Professor Issa Laye Thiaw, also known as Mbañik Caw (his Seereer name, Thiaw isspelled Caw in Seereer) is a scholar of Seereer religion and history, but perhaps better known for his work on Seereer religion and culture. His work has been cited by several international scholars writing about Seereer religion and culture. Along with his writing, Professor Thiaw has also appeared as guest speaker on several inter-religious dialogue meetings. He is the author of that celebrated book "La femme Seereer." Other papers authored by Thiaw include:
- La religiosité Seereer, avant et pendant leur Islamisation
- Mythe de la création du monde selon les sages sereer
Professor Thiaw supports the Seereer Resource Centre(SRC) where he currently serves as Consultant on Seereer religion, History and Culture. Working in partnership with the Seereer Resource Centre, Professor Thiaw and the SRC are in the process of building a huge complex in Sanghe (or Sangue) - Senegal, which will be called "The Seereer Resource Centre and the Temple of Initiated Women." It will be the flagship office of the SRC where Seereer ancient religion, culture and medicine will be taught to those interested in these subjects. To learn more about this project and how you can part take in it, visit the Seereer Resource Centre's website or e-mail us at info@seereer.com.
Note : You can have your say about this audio by leaving a comment below. Keep it clean and relevant.
Download transcript « Télécharger la transcription » :
Visit the Seereer Resource Centre download page to download a transcript of this audio in English, French, Seereer a Sinig, Saafi-Saafi, Ndut, Sili-Sili, Noon and Laalaa.
Websites :
The Seereer Resource Centre (SRC) - www.seereer.org
Seereer Radio - www.seereerradio.com
Monday Feb 01, 2016
Monday Feb 01, 2016
Date of first broadcast on Seereer Radio : Saturday, 16th January 2016
Presenters : Tamsier Joof and Demba Sene
Interviewee : Professor Maara Jon
Other panel members : Momodou Secka and Njaga Gaye
Source language(s) : Saafi-Saafi, Seereer-Siin, French and English
Subjects covered : Seereer calendar, Seereer astronomy, Raampa script, Seereer ethnic group, Seex people, Saafi people, Ndut people, Noon people, Waro people, Laalaa people, Saafi-Saafi language, Palor language, Noon language, Ndut language, Laalaa language (Lehar), Seereer-Siin, Seereer origins, Seereer ancient history, Ancient Egypt, Jejamoon Juuf and Osara Seen.
Radio program : Cosaan Seereer
Radio station : Seereer Radio
Owner : The Seereer Resource Centre (SRC)
Collection : The SRC Collection
Date of recording : 19th December 2015
Location : Médina, Dakar, Senegal
Medium : Audio recording
Additional information : This audio was recorded for the SRC Collection, with permission to broadcast granted to Seereer Radio | The Voice of the Seereer Community (our 24 hour stream radio station). The research team was headed by Tamsier Joof (founder of the SRC and Seereer Radio) and Demba Sene.
Information about Professor Maara Jon (née. Aliou Dione) : Professor Maara Jon (or Professor Mara Joon) is a linguist, historian, researcher and author. He graduated from the University of Cheick Anta Diop (French: Université Cheikh Anta Diop or UCAD) and since 1974 has been a prominent researcher and author of Seereer (particularly Saafi) history, culture and religion. Professor Jon also attended the Centre de Linguistique Appliquée de Dakar (CLAD) under the supervision of Professor Souleymane Faye, a professor of linguistics at UCAD and a member of the SRC team. Prior to his academic career, Professor Jon had success in acting. His name Maara derived from a film he was in where he played the role of a marabout. His real Seereer name is Jig Jam Jon.
Professor Jon has had several peer-reviewed papers under his name, and has authored, co-authored or contributed to several papers and books including assisting Professor David Maranz in his research on the Seereer-Saafi Raampa script (1992). Some of his work include :
- "Saafi, ɓoo fiisaat peɗmi ɓoo ɓap" (Saafi, lisons et écrivons notre langue maternelle), Société Internationale de Linguistique, BP 2075, Dakar, Sénégal, 2000 (réédité en 2004) (author: Rokhaya Seck, in collaboration with Aliou Dione, Carol Larsen and Jorunn Dijkstra)
- "Le mythe de l'origine de l'héritage chez les Saafi" ((in Saafi: Cosaan-in Iam Saafi) [in] Notes africaines, Issues 181-190, Institut français d'Afrique noire, Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire, Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire Cheikh Anta Diop, Institut français d'Afrique noire (1984) (see page 25 and from page 43).
- "Le thème de la mort dans la littérature Seereer: Essai", author : Amade Faye, Contributor : Agence de coopération culturelle et technique, Nouvelles éditions africaines du Sénégal (1997), Credit : Aliou Dione - page 212, note 306
Note: You can have your say about this audio by leaving a comment below. Keep it clean and relevant.
Download transcript « Télécharger la transcription » :
Visit the Seereer Resource Centre download page to download a transcript of this audio in English, French, Seereer a Sinig, Saafi-Saafi, Ndut, Sili-Sili, Noon and Laalaa.
Websites :
The Seereer Resource Centre (SRC) - www.seereer.org
Seereer Radio - www.seereerradio.com
Saturday Jan 30, 2016
Saturday Jan 30, 2016
In this audio, El Hadji Demba Lamine Diouf of Senegal narrates the history of Senegambia. He touches on the meaning of the word Damel and Tëën (variations: teeñ, tégne, teen or teign). Demba Lamine also discusses the founding of several old villages and towns in the Senegambia region including Lambaye. The Battle of Danki (1549) is also discussed in this audio along with the enthronement of Amari Ngoneh Sobel Faal (king of Cayor and Bawol) and Maad a Saluum Mbegaan Nduur (or Mbegane Ndour) - King of Saluum, who reigned in 1494.
Area of history : Oral history of Senegambia
Narrated by : El Hadji Demba Lamine Diouf (from Senegal)
Program : Cosaani Senegambia [History of Senegambia]
Radio station : Radio Gambia (at the time)
Year (or approximate year of recording) : Late 1970s to early 1980s.
Collection : The SRC Collection
Additional information : From the archives of Radio Gambia and Radio Senegal's collaborative program: "Cosaani Senegambia". Courtesy of Onegambia.com. The late Alhaji Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof (also known as Cham Joof) was the Director of Program. The presenters were Alhaji Mansour Njie and Alhaji Ousman Secka - speaking from Radio Gambia Studios, Bakau, the Gambia. The interviewer was Dodou Jego Jobe of Radio Gambia visiting Senegal in order to interview the subject (El Hadji Demba Lamine Diouf). This audio is part of the Seereer Resource Centre's Collection : The SRC Collection.
Information about the griot : Demba Lamine Diouf was a renowned Senegalese oral historian and a regular at the then Radio Senegal’s history program: "Cosaani Sénégambie". This audio was recorded in Senegal. He was a Wolofized Seereer of the Seereer patronym Juuf. This audio is in Wolof.
Medium : Audio recording
Subjects covered : History of Senegambia, Meaning of Damel and Tëën (variations: teeñ, tégne, teen or teign).Founding some Senegambian villages and towns including Lambaye, The Battle of Danki (1549), The Enthronement of Amari Ngoneh Sobel Faal (King of Cayor and Bawol), The medieval Seereer king of Saluum - Maad a Saluum Mbegaan Nduur (Seereer proper, or Bour Saloum Mbegane Ndour).
Note: You can have your say about this audio by leaving a comment here. See the comment section below. Please keep it clean and relevant.
Download transcript « Télécharger la transcription » :
Visit the Seereer Resource Centre download page to download a transcript of this audio in English, French, Seereer a Sinig, Saafi-Saafi, Ndut, Sili-Sili, Noon and Laalaa.
Websites :
The Seereer Resource Centre (SRC) - www.seereer.org
Seereer Radio - www.seereerradio.com
Onegambia.com - onegambia.com
Radio Gambia (now GRTS) - www.grts.gm
Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision du Sénégal (ORTS) - www.rts.sn
Saturday Jan 30, 2016
Saturday Jan 30, 2016
History of Saluum, genealogy of the royal family of Saluum and Ama Juuf Jaame. Narrated by Jebal Samba (from the Gambia). From Radio Gambia and Radio Senegal's joint program : Cosaani Senegambia (History of Senegambia).
Area of history : Oral history of Saluum, genealogy of the royal family of Saluum and Ama Juuf Jaame of Baddibu (the Seereer branch of the Jammeh family). This is the second part narrated by Jebal Samba. Part 1 can be found here.
Narrated by : Jebal Samba (from the Gambia)
Program : Cosaani Senegambia (History of Senegambia)
Radio station : Radio Gambia (at the time)
Year (or approximate year of recording) : Late 1970s to early 1980s.
Collection : The SRC Collection
Additional information : From the archives of Radio Gambia and Radio Senegal's collaborative program "Cosaani Senegambia". Courtesy of Onegambia.com. The late Alhaji Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof was the Director of Program. The presenter was Alhaji Mansour Njie. Recorded at Radio Gambia Studios, Bakau, the Gambia. This audio is in Wolof. This audio is part of the Seereer Resource Centre's Collection : The SRC Collection.
Information about the griot : Jebal Samba comes from a long line of griots. He is a paternal descendant of the renowned 19th century Senegambian griot - Sainey Mbissine Njaay Samba who was well known among the circles of early to mid 19th century Senegambian kings. He particularly gained prominence during the reign of Maad Saluum Balleh Horeja Ndaw (reigned: 1823 to 1857). Jebal Samba's grandfather (Sainey Ata Samba) was the official griot of Mama Tamba Jammeh, chief of Yilliyassa. Mama Tamba was a Seereer chief whose descendants can be found in the Gambia. This branch of the Samba family were Seereers of Kahone - the precolonial capital of the Seereer kingdom of Saluum. They are one of those we historically refer to as "Saluum-Saluum", a term denoting the "inhabitants of Saluum."
Medium : Audio recording
Subjects covered : History of Saluum, Genealogy of the royal family of Saluum, Ama Juuf Jaame (variation: Ama Juuf Jammeh or Ama Joof Jammeh) - the Seereer branch of the Jammeh family, Royal family of Siin, Njaay family of Saluum, Juuf family of Siin, History of Baddibu, Jammeh family of Baddibu.
Note: You can have your say about this audio by leaving a comment below. See the comment section below. Please keep it clean and relevant.
Download transcript « Télécharger la transcription » :
Visit the Seereer Resource Centre download page to download a transcript of this audio in English, French, Seereer a Sinig, Saafi-Saafi, Ndut, Sili-Sili, Noon and Laalaa.
Websites :
The Seereer Resource Centre (SRC) - www.seereer.org
Seereer Radio - www.seereerradio.com
Onegambia.com - onegambia.com
Radio Gambia (now GRTS) - www.grts.gm
Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision du Sénégal (ORTS) - www.rts.sn
Saturday Jan 30, 2016
Saturday Jan 30, 2016
This audio is in two parts :
Area of history : Oral history
Part 1. Interview of Macoura Mboub (of Senegal) by Dodou Jego Jobe of Radio Gambia. This section relates to Sohna Chenaba Saar (variations of Chenaba include : Thienaba, Thiénaba, Tienaba, Chenaba or Cénaba); the Secka family of Senegal and the Battle of Samba Sajo 1875. The interview took place at Senegal courtesy of Radio Gambia and Radio Senegal's joint programme : Cosaani Senegambia (history of Senegambia).
Part 2. This is the first part of the history of Saluum (or Saloum) and Ama Juuf Jaame (variation: Ama Juuf Jammeh or Ama Joof Jammeh) narrated by Jebal Samba. This part covers the history of the Samba (or Samb) family of the Gambia (descendants of Sainey Mbissine Njaay Samba). It also covers the history of Saluum and Ama Juuf Jaame as well as the genealogy of the royal family of Saluum. For part 2 of this interview, click here.
Narrators : Macoura Mboub (Part 1), Jebal Samba (Part 2)
Program : Cosaani Senegambia
Radio station : Radio Gambia (at the time)
Year (or approximate year of recording) : 1970s
Collection : The SRC Collection
Additional information : From the archives of Radio Gambia and Radio Senegal's collaborative program "Cosaani Senegambia". Courtesy of Onegambia.com. The late Alhaji Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof was the Director of Program. The presenter was the late Alhaji Mansour Njie. Recorded at Radio Gambia Studios, Bakau, the Gambia (part 2) and Senegal (part 1). This audio is in two parts. Both are in Wolof. This audio is part of the Seereer Resource Centre's Collection : The SRC Collection
Information about the griot : Jebal Samba comes from a long line of griots. He is a paternal descendant of the renowned 19th century Senegambian griot - Sainey Mbissine Njaay Samba who was well known among the circles of early to mid 19th century Senegambian kings. He particularly gained prominence during the reign of Maad Saluum Balleh Horeja Ndaw (reigned: 1823 to 1857). Jebal Samba's grandfather (Sainey Ata Samba) was the official griot of Mama Tamba Jammeh, chief of Yilliyassa. Mama Tamba was a Seereer chief whose descendants can be found in the Gambia. This branch of the Samba family were Seereers of Kahone - the precolonial capital of the Seereer kingdom of Saluum. They are one of those we historically refer to as "Saluum-Saluum", a term denoting the "inhabitants of Saluum."
Medium : Audio recording
Subjects covered : Sohna Chenaba Saar, Secka family of Senegal, Battle of Samba Sajo, History of Saluum; Ama Juuf Jaame (or Ama Joof Jammeh), History of the Samba family of the Gambia.
Note: You can have your say about this audio by leaving a comment here. See the comment section below. Keep it clean and relevant.
Download transcript « Télécharger la transcription » :
Visit the Seereer Resource Centre download page to download a transcript of this audio in English, French, Seereer a Sinig, Saafi-Saafi, Ndut, Sili-Sili, Noon and Laalaa.
Websites :
The Seereer Resource Centre (SRC) - www.seereer.org
Seereer Radio - www.seereerradio.com
Onegambia.com - onegambia.com
Radio Gambia (now GRTS) - www.grts.gm
Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision du Sénégal (ORTS) - www.rts.sn