THE HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN BANJUL, THE GAMBIA.
Anne Marie Javouhey (1779 – 1851), foundress of the sister of St Joseph of Cluny, was the first Catholic Missionary to come in modern time to the Gambia – she came with two sisters with a laywoman in 1821 and worked and lived in the hospital. She however could not stay long in the country. Only the Methodist Church was active in the Gambia during those first years.
It was after the establishment of the church in Senegal that an uninterrupted presence of Catholicism in the Gambia could also be seen. The migration of the people to the settlement since 1816 include Catholics and others open to becoming Catholic. Two Priests took residence in Banjul by 1849 to serve this population and Church began its slow but steady growth. The Banjul mission was under the Apostolic Vicarate of Dakar. It was concentrated in Banjul but around 1876 it began looking beyond to the Kombos and provinces
By 1905, Fr. John Meehan took up his appointment in the Gambia. It was his destiny to maintain and give quiet growth to the church. In 1931, the Holy See declared the Gambia “Sui Juris” and Fr. Meehan as ecclesiastical superior. Under him , the church was to develop towards an independent mission and diocese. In 1951, Fr. Michael Maloney was named Prefect Apostolic and consecrated first Bishop of the diocese of Banjul on 6 May 1958.
The new diocese continued to receive personnel from Ireland for its evangelization work. Many schools where opened during this period and more work undertaken in the Kombos.
The second Vatican Council was an important event in the live of the church in the Gambia as it presented a new vision of church, apart from a purely hierarchical and institutional one. Bishop Maloney was to preside over this renewal for next fourteen years.
Cathedral, Our Lady of The Assumption
On 25 March 1981, Bishop Michael J. Clearly was consecrated Bishop of Banjul in succession to Bishop Maloney who had retired. The new Bishop continued the solitude of his predecessor for personnel to care for the spiritual growth of the people of God. While being close to missionary assistance from abroad, the growth of a local clergy received active encouragement and support.
On the 14 th May 2006, Bishop Robert Patrick Ellison was consecrated Bishop of Banjul to succeed Bishop Cleary who had retired. Bishop Ellison is the present bishop of the diocese of Banjul. (c) Dioceses of Banjul 2007.
SANG MARIE :
“Christians in the Catholic Diocese of Banjul on Wednesday converged to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, Sainte Marie (locally pronounced ‘Sang Marie’). This is the day set aside by Christians, particularly Catholics, to celebrate that most glorious of mysteries – the assumption of Mary – body and soul to Heaven. She was indeed, according to scriptures, a favoured person of God, a fact manifested not only by the mystery of the virgin birth, but also through her life and final rising into heaven. Humanity has also honoured her with a vast accolade of tributes and epithets: Mother of Divine grace Queen of Angels, Tower of David, Virgin most pure, Comforter of the Afflicted, Mother Inviolate, Mystical Rose , among numerous other titles. aking after the early Christians who arrived here on August 15 from Goree, Christians have maintained the date and taken it as a day of celebration of Our Lady’s assumption into heaven, and a special feast day for the diocese of Banjul.
Christians attended Mass in different churches in the morning and gathered at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church at Campama, in Banjul, for a procession, with singing of solemn Marian Songs, all the way to the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady at Hagan Street (now Daniel Goddard Street). The statue of our lady, which was mounted on a high pedestal, could be seen from all angles. It will be recalled that Banjul (Island of St Mary), The Kombos (Kombo St Mary), and the Bakau area (Cape St Mary) were all named in honour of Mary, mother of Jesus. So also were the Anglican Cathedral in Banjul (St Mary’s Cathedral) and the Catholic Cathedral on Hagan Street (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption). So the procession was from that point of view also a fitting display and tribute. non-Roman Catholics, including Muslims, participated. ‘After the morning Mass and afternoon procession, the evening of Sang Marie is marked in Banjul by parties at various well-established venues. The celebration of the Assumption in The Gambia has distinctive features missed by Gambians who are living overseas. For over 15 years Gambians living in Britain have assembled for an annual Sang Marie procession and Mass( and a subsequent party!) organised by the Association of Gambian Catholics (UK).A similar annual ‘Gambian-style’ gathering is held at Atlanta in the United States.
GOD our Father, who crowned the Blessed Virgin Mary on the day of her Assumption with a glory beyond compare, grant that by her prayers we may be saved by the mystery of your redemption, and share with her in the glory of eternal life” Quote from Diocese of Banjul Newsletter NL 2014 AUGUST – SEPTEMBER:
The Church’s role in Education.
“Catholics can take some pride in the contribution that the Catholic Mission has made to the education of many Gambians, and to the social and economic development of
this country. Since Independence 45 years ago there’s been a great
expansion of educational facilities in The Gambia,an expansion greatly accelerated by the present government both in the urban area and in the provinces. The Catholic and other Christian missions in The Gambia have always been government‘s ‘partners in development’ -though that phrase wasn’t in use until recent times; and the Catholic Church is continuing to expand facilities for the education of Gambian children – Christian and Muslim -throughout the country”.
Tribute to our Catholic Fatherly Elders:
Pa Gabarr Njie (Carpenter and builder of the first alter in the church), he is the father of former Chamber of commerce director, Late Pierre Njie, Abraham Goddard, (P.S.) who gave land for the church were the church is located, Pierre (P.S. Njie First Chief-Minister of the Gambia) , Daniel Goddard the first Africa councillor in 1938, Sayer Joof (Politician ), Teacher Man Henry Joof, Educator), Pensah Jarra (JBJ), Pa Bamba Lloyd Solomon Njie, Tom Senghore, Charlie Carayol. Daniel Ndow, Sam Goddard, Harry Evans (Police Commissioner), Secretary of State Eric Christensen, Louis Cherry, Unle Ruwel, Andrews, Martin Sock, Uncle Paul Njie, Seyben Madi, Alphonse Tamba, Chips Ndow, Dr. Peter Ndow, Pa Rene Blain, Dr. Blain, Master Euinson, Gaspar Mendy, Paul Bass sr,Teacher Michael Touray, Pa Cadross (Boys Scouts), Pa Richard Joof, Pa Thorpe, Albert lance, Pa Thomasi, Sam Forbes, Edward Leese, Sam Silver, Jacob Ndow and Tom Senghore the transformer, the man who changed Gregorian chants to local Gambia- African languages and modernising the hymens and chants into contemporary African choir and gospel songs and sparking a wave of Gambian Choral groups singing in Gambian and African languages and too many more to mention.
TRIBUTE TO OUR FEMALE ELDERS
Bed Rock of Ceremonies and festivities.
Tanta Marie Ndow, Ya Njateh Silva (Family Caravallo), Harr Jammeh (mother of Ex Mayor James Gomez), Kutu Silva (Mother of Taf landa), Mam Jacob Ndow (Hurst Street), Serre Kani (Mother of Leon Prom), Aunty Rose Vice (Primet Street), Mam Kura Camara, Mary Gomez / mother of John Gomez (Perseverance Street), Ya Njejain Ndoye , etc.
Group Fete Bokotal
Marey, Kutu Silva, Ya Aret Silva, William Street, Aunty Ndella, Ya Mosan Joof, Zebra Street, Mam Kumba Wadda, Chucha Faye (Mother of teacher Mike Touray), Ya Maris Charlis , 71 Hagan Street, Lisa Sambou (Mother of late Gabou Tamba), Kumba Gomis, Rose Gabbidon, Ya Lumbatu, Aunty Marr Kesse, and Ya Ellen Jarra, Ya Arret Sonko, Yai Sere Goddard etc, etc, (Name a few).
The Kabasilottes
There was something very distinctive about the attire , in French, accoutrement that made Elderly Roman Catholic Women admirably stood out: that was the KABASILOTTE. This was a draping , flowing long gown mainly made of coloured pastel colours . This particular dress code was worn by a particular Women age group in their late 50s and 60s: there was a group composed of :-
MamKumba Wadda of Zebra Street, Mother of Tanta Cato and Grand-Mother of Pa Anthony Sang Njie, Awa Omadi, of Dobson Street, Mother of Ya Leesa Ndow, Marian Gomez , of Charles Street, Grand-Mother of the late Pa Joh , Vero , of Dobson Street,
Marie Njie Saabosi , Mother of Tanta Yandeh Joof and Grand-Mother of the late Pa Joof , Principal of St. Augustine’s Junior Secondary School, Njateh Sylva, of Buckle Street, Mother of Anthony Carlvalho, Mama Jatta, Mother of Tanta Joanna Jatta and Grand-Mother of Hannah Forster of ACHRS, the Tall and Staely beautiful Sosseh Elizabeth Njie of Old Perseverance Street, Mother of Peter Jobe of RVH, Moses Trinn erstwhile prominent footballer, and Grand-Mother Dr. Fatoumatta Joof ( Nee Sisay and Lawyer Awa Sisay Sabally, Mossan Joof, elder Sister of Pa Edrissa Sarr and Aunt of Pa Babou Sarr of Kent Street, Tetteh Gomez, Mother of George Gomez and Grand-Mother of Yuku Silva.
The coiffure (The Kalla)
Hairstyle
These Graceful Catholics was called Kalla made of silky black wool . These beautiful Grandes-Dames also wore long chains around their necks known as Sautoir in French at the end of which they had dangling small medallions of The Holy Virgin Mary Revererdly called Mariama Mou Sellama in Wollof.
It is my wish to contact the descendants of these beautiful Catholic Old Women thereby collecting old black and white photos of these beautiful graceful Catholic Women
It’s a pity that we do no longer see old aged Catholic Women draped in such beautifully coloured Kabasilottes. These Ladies were called Jigeeni Gourmette.Quote: Ebou Ndure/ Hopkinson St.
TASSU POETS
Many metaphorical songs about society come from the place called TASS and the word Tasu derived from it. And a Tasu- Kat is someone who derive songs from the Tass and Tasu is the narrating in rhymes of the verses. In the Tass, all people meet , there is no discrimination and it is as well a gathering place for after-work and community icons, musicians, singers, hustlers, thinkers and a with a bottle of beer ,red vine or palm wine was a relief after a long day out. It was a centre for creative minds and none creative minds as well and they get merry together, sings songs just like with guitars, accordions, drumming and improvising just like the Mississippi delta blues and an over flow of Rap type lyrics dove-tailed with singing in Wolof and Soap box drumming. Tasu has been improvised in many other languages but it has its roots in the Wolof catholic people. The proverbial songs carry a lot of meaning surrounding the atmosphere and community behavioural fixations.Songs from the Tass are not used in public. and also not for children. The Muslims are not allowed to go to the TASS and should not mingle in TASS yards.
Christmas celebrations
The Christams Church services are the largest mass gathering of Christians
These fancy handmade art boats built with bamboo, covered with pricked hole designed by a Tra-seh Kat, and plug out like in tapestry called florist and an undercover light kit- paper “Tai-nyapa” sheets are inlays to give colour reflection with the pricked holes given the boats stunning glamorous looks. it is like a boat on fireworks, they are called Fanals and lanterns. Every Christmas the catholic community will build a fanal. Since the Gambia is mostly Muslims it was given a distinctive name as Catholic fanal and its is celebrate by all (it was not restricted) but the fest calendar date are many and are carefully reserved for the purpose of community unity. The Catholic fanals were first being built on location at Denton Street. One Pa Weri Korr was in Charge and it was later moved to 28 Dobson Street. The Fanals were celebrated by master drummers and their drumming team. The Fanali-Gourmet was popularly known for bringing the Drummer Famara from Mbanta as their main drummer on each Christmas until his demise. Famara was discovered and introduced to Banjul by the legendary Uncle Nickolas Prom.
commonly known as Nicky boy.
Sabar Master Famara
Famara the great drummer from Mbantah (n Sabar Kat) was a choice of the catholic folk and their fanal group. The singing and dancing all Christmas week nights and end the fest with a New year fete which Famara will end the Christmas week with his singing entourage in a circle dance at Dobson Street and Hill street playing all his tunes and beats he has been playing on differents nights throughout the christmas wee, in one big jamboree to end christmas.. Everyone singing “Famara Awal Nee. Famara was from was the most popular and must demanded drummer during the Christmas week. There were other drummers like the Great drummer Saul from Kaur who played for Lenians Youth Club but Famara was the best. (you can’t touch him). Every year for over decades running he would be the drummer for the fanal li Gourmet of 28 Dobson Street where the Mbarr (club tent) was situated. Whenever Famara would arrive in Banjul he would make a drum call by beating his drum at sharp 7 am in the morning announcing his presence in Banjul. This was a signal that the Christmas fest is on and until New Years day Famara will dominate the streets of Banjul with his beautiful drum theme of Famara Awal Nee. He was the All time favourite.
Catholic Kankurang Club
Uncle Nicky Boy also as in charge of the Kankurang Masquerade Parades. He would dress the kankurang and he dressed up some of personalities and the best Kankurang Dancers including the famous Jeggan and Gabou Saine and there were also other self dressed fun-loving Kankurang actors like Adama Jombel, Dick, Ali Man, Baba Perrier, the famous Amaata (dressed in a lioness out fit with a Pierre Njie UP Green ladies dress. He was not a kangurag but he was a bongo player and copied some Nicky Boy’s song to play a funny comedian role during Christian fests. May his soul rest in peace but Amata has also a passion for Zimba (the lion man). He would start early and end early (around 4 pm) from a mixture of drinks like Ruby Wine, Faju tonic, Vam, Banjul Gin, whatever and if he is given a narrow chance to rest he would sleep and no one can wake him uo neithyer to lift him up. He was probably the heaviest muscle-man in Gambia at his time. He was always seen in town with his famous friends Eliman Ndure commonly known as Yali Poson and Badara Mbye. These were people kept a pleasant vibe in community, fun and laughter. Peaceful folks who had a passion for theatre and community.
The Legendary Nicky Boy
Professional Musician, Singer, guitarist, composer
A Gambian music legend and a gentleman with a guitar. Compared to S.G Rogie the Sierra Leonean singer from the hit song of the 60s “My Lovely Elizabeth”. Mostly, nicely dressed in fine tailored suites and fedora hats and singing song of joy and happiness, He later became a community belonging and a well respected musician and youth motivator. He was a composer of many spontaneous songs derived in any gathering by forming peoples moves, mannerisms and gestures in sound and colour with the most magnificent adjectives to give each song a different colour of heavenly sky. He is the father of Leon Prom (Musician/ Chameleon Band), Victor Prom (Guitarist) and Anchu Prom. Uncle Nicky was one of Gambia’s first performing musician. A gentleman with his felt hats, shinning shoes a guitar and popularly known for his Wolof folk songs as Puss Gamball and “All for Nicky Boy”, etc. He was a social belonging to Half die-Banjul. On each New year’s day he would perform only for one person, and that person was Uncle Louis Prom back dating from 16 Leman Street in the 50s & 60s and even when Louis Prom moved to Lancaster Street, the loyalty was never broken.
Catholic Boys and Girls Youth Clubs: Carolina Vous (Mitchell Ndour, Arthur Thomas, James Gomez etc), Bridgette Vous, Animals, Santa Maria, Red Rovers, Atomic Football Club, Augustinians FC, Young Lions. Animals, Angelina, Convent girls club.
LEGENDS
Uncle Lousi Prom, Vicky Blain, Marcel Thomasi, Labu Corea, Rene Blain, Daddy Tamba, Charles Thomas, Solomon Oleman Jatta (Body balance), Pa Anton Blain, August Prom, Solomon Gomez, James Gomez (Athlete), Louis Gomez, Pierre Jallow , Gifty Preier, Ellie Eunison, Gifty Tamba, Mam John Tamba, Late Pa Joh, Paul Sarr jr, Pierre Sarr (Mam Saloum), Peter Prom (Pi Pan) – Peter Prom jr, Joe Mendy (Umpa Chu), Chil Boy Blain, Patron & Orland (Cutters & tailors), Paul (5000 Meters runner/ former Prison officer), Remi Sarr, Dominique Mendy, John Prom, Mary Loum, Lulu Bovier, Nana Atkins , Caroline Atkins, Felix Gomez, Felix Ceesay, Patrick Njie, Solomon Nyassi (Dalasi), Hector Loum, Charles Thomas, Alex Carlavo, Peter Gomez (West Coast radio), Ole Man Owens, Pa Edu Touray, Geore Gomez, Moses Trin, Leon Prom, Taflanda, Baby Rene, Manuel “Yuku, Pa Boy Cole, :”,Pa Sengan Adams, Pa Edu Touray, John Njie, Paul Sarr, Peterson Sarr, Degaul Njie, Danny Njie, August Prom, Willie Njie, etc, etc, Memorables: Joe Touray, James Sonko, Daddy George, Francis Mendy, Daddy Silver. etc, etc
The Choral group Baati Linguere Choir created for the celebration of divine worship and was created with prime objective of serving the Catholic Church through the ministry of songs in fullest compliance to the Sacred music definition which states “that which, being created for the celebration of divine worship, is endowed with certain holy sincerity of form” (S.C.R.) solemnity, Grace & Spiritual Edification and In-culturation.. To date, the Country’s trailblazer of inculturation is the only Gambian choir today the Friday, 21st October 2011 was the favorable date chosen to celebrate the golden jubilee of Rev. Father Mathias Murphy.Quote: Father Edu Gomez, Parish of the Resurrection, Brikama
The Baati linguere choral group is the choir at the Holy Spirit Church in Banjul where Father Murphy served for more than twenty years. Together with the congregation, the choir sang heartily very familiar and favourable songs of the golden jubilee celebrant.
Father Murphy and the Baati Linguere choral group had long term association at the Holy Spirit Church in Banjul. Notable in those gone years were the Christmas and Easter Vigil liturgies drew a lot of Christians to the Holy Spirit Church. Today parishioners and many Christians who loved to worship at the Holy Spirit Church missed a good part of their life’s celebrations because it is no longer the same.
Baati Lingeure sung in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome back in September 1989, and is roundly acclaimed as a bridge-builder in inter-faith relations, in a predominantly Muslim Country, this iconic group continues to nurture youthful talents while contributing in its own small way, to the consolidation of fraternal ties between The Gambia and neighbouring Republic of Senegal, through periodic choral exchanges.
The Roman Catholic Church in the Gambia is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. Gambia is a predominantly Muslim country (approximately 94% of the population). The Diocese of Banjul covers the whole of the country. Relations between the Muslim and Christian communities in Gambia are generally very good. The Catholic Church operates various missions including schools which children of Muslim parents attend. Of the minority Christian population, there are around 30,000 Catholics, which represents around 2% of the population.
Author: Oko Drammeh
00220/ 773278600220/ 7732786
Email: drammehoko@gmail.com
