Three
witnesses, yesterday testified before the TRRC regional hearings in Jambur at
which they narrated how they where alleged as witches in their various villages
by former president, Yahya Jammeh’s witch-hunters.
Lamarana
Jallow, a native of Galoya village explained that those who came to their
village were drumming singing and dancing.
She
added that they were told that those dressed in red were marabouts sent to
capture witches and wizards. She said those taken were not indigenes of
Makumbaya village but strangers.
“They
went around the village, abducting people from the village. Apart from those
captured from Makumbaya, they captured people from Galoya. There was a lady
that was captured by the name Maram Jallow and others were arrested from their
rice fields. One Chargi Jallow was also arrested.”
Lamarana
told the commission that during their detention in Kololi, they urinated on
themselves as they did not have a place to urinate. She said that all the
places were locked and they were told that they should not drink water on the
grounds that anyone who drinks water would die.
“When
we arrived, they gave us food to eat so that we could go and drink the
concoction. Prior to that, they took the sum of D2500 from me.”
The
witness said that they held her hand and took her to a room where she was given
concoction to drink.
“Some
people after drinking the concoction became unconscious and did not know what
they were doing. The concoction was pounded and mixed with water. I was given a
full cup to drink and I was asked to add but I refused,” Lamarana said.
Mrs.
Fatou Sowe, 40, another witness narrated they were arrested while selling at
market.
She
said they were asked to board a vehicle but she told them that she was not from
Makumbaya, but from Galoya and at that time her children were out for break.
She explained that the marabouts were dressed in red and had mirrors, adding
that if any refused to board the vehicle, the green boys would beat them.
According
to her, she did not know those putting on red, but they spoke to them in
Mandinka. She said they did not know where they were from but they were Fulas.
Mrs.
Sowe testified that it is correct that she and one Sukai were arrested on the
same day and time.
She
said on the day she was arrested, she was removing gravel from rice but she
later saw people dressed in red with horns, and with some youths dressed in
red; who told her that she was not healthy and if she drinks the concoction,
she would be cured.
At
this time her younger sister was there and she urged her to go with them, she
narrated.
She
continued that she was reluctant to go but she had no choice because she was
afraid, saying after she was captured, she was taken to Makumbaya.
Fatou
Sowe explained that she never had high blood but after drinking the concoction,
she now has high blood pressure. She said those that were in the bus were
between 50 and 60 people. She said that after drinking the concoction, she
fainted.
“After
I became conscious, I realised that I was not in the same room where I drank
the concoction. The boy asked how many people I ate since last year. I told him
I never eat anybody. I told him I am not a witch.”
She
further indicated that she later came to hear that the marabouts were sent by
former president, Yahya Jammeh.
Mrs.
Sowe explained that before she left the detention place, they were asked to
take bath. “A young man who can be a grandson to us, bathed us and rubbed the
medicine on us and since then I didn’t feel well.”
She
added that after she returned to Galoya, she perceived herself as a witch;
adding that the society judged and looked at them as witches.
Another
witness, Sukai Jallow also confirmed that she was arrested with Fatou Sowe and
Lamarana Jallow.
She
said she could not recall anyone other than those she was arrested with in
Galoya. She added that those that took her were heartless because her children
were crying and they refused to let her be. She indicated that she was very
unhappy and sad but she had no powers.
Mrs.
Jallow further said that she was not allowed to change her clothes during their
detention. “They took D700.00 from me and we were given ‘Domoda’ (groundnut
soup) as a meal. Upon arrival, they put us in a big sitting room and they gave
us food. But I told them that I was okay because my stomach was full.”
“They
also took the sum of D2500.00 from me that was sent to me by someone from Malaysia.”
The
witness explained that before she drank the concoction given to her, she saw
people who drank that and fell down.
“Some
were lying down as corpses. The concoction was green in colour and it was
bitter. I was given a full cup and a half and I had no choice but to drink and
chew the green leaves inside it.”
Sukai
said she was not feeling well and had constant headache because of the
concoction; adding that she is still not feeling strong.
She
said her children were told by members of her community that she is a witch;
adding that her health condition has deteriorated though she had sought for
treatment. She said her legs have problem because of the concoction.
Finally,
Sukai blamed the former head of state Yahya Jammeh for what happened to her.
The
chairman of TRRC, Dr. Lamin J. Sise stated that they were not only victims of
witch-hunting but robbery as well because their monies taken were not returned
to them.
