President
Adama Barrow has called on the Soninke (Sarahule) communities in the country
and beyond to unite and be each other’s keeper.
The
Gambian leader was speaking on Thursday during the launch of the 6th edition of
the International Fest of the Soninke Association (FISO) held at the
Independence Stadium, Bakau.
This
year’s international fest was expected to gather about 5, 000 participants
mainly from The Gambia, Senegal, Niger, Mauritania, Angola, Guinea Bissau,
Guinea Conakry, Mali, France and Belgium amongst other countries.
The
fest, which slated for 20th – 24th February 2020, is being held under the
theme: “Baanaaxu” which means our culture is our identity’. It is also meant to
bring unity and harmony to the Sarahule communities across the world.
Barrow
further advised participants not to only use the festival to have fun but also
urged them to build and establish network among themselves.
“I
want you people to emulate the Soninke communities that were before us. Those
people supported each other in terms of difficulties and also advised each
other in terms of religion. They read the Qu’ran and taught others,” he said.
While
addressing the delegates, the Gambian leader expressed delight to be associated
with the forum, reminding them that they should not allow politics to divide
them.
“I’m
very happy to associate myself with this international festival. You should not
allow to be divided by politics. Everyone has the right to support his/her
wishes. However, that shouldn’t affect the way we are living and more
importantly our interactions,” Barrow emphasised.
He
went on to hail the Sarahuleh community for coming up with such initiative,
saying the fest would help in bringing people together most particularly the
Soninke communities by unifying them.
For
her part, Oumie Bachilly, one of the local organising committee members, said
the fest is geared towards promoting the Soninke (Sarahuleh) culture globally.
The fest, she went on, would feature a trade fair and confab, noting that there
would be a confab on women, youth empowerment and gender equality.
“The international festival will also feature
a trade fair which will start from 21st to 24th February and will showcase a
wide variety of Soninke cultural materials,” she said.
