In her address as the special guest speaker at the opening of the 11th edition of the Fulbe Africa International Cultural Festival on Saturday, the nation's First Lady emphasised the importance of the gathering and explored the deep significance of preserving cultural heritage.
At the weekend, the QCity came alive as hundreds gathered to celebrate the Fulbe Africa International Cultural Festival.
The convergence, themed "Traditional Food Systems and Their Relationship with Climate Change", attracted distinguished guests from Sierra Leone, Senegal, Ghana, and other nations.
Notable attendees included the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, senior government officials, executive members of Fulbe Africa, and State Rep. Samba Baldeh from Madison Wisconsin in the United States, alongside distinguished Fulani people within the sub-region.
At the event, acclaimed Fulani artistes from both within the country and abroad captivated the audience with their outstanding performances, beautifully highlighting the richness of Fulani culture. The beautiful Fulbe people were a sight to behold, adorned in their elegant traditional attire.
The event featured a captivating performance by the Sare Gubu drama group, among others, emphasising the importance of the theme and the urgent need to safeguard our forest cover.
First Lady Bah Barrow added: “I am genuinely pleased to be part of this significant convergence. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the executive members of Fulbe Africa for their unwavering commitment to promoting Fulbe culture."
Seedy Njie, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, emphasised the importance of the gathering and encouraged the executive members of the association to persist in their efforts to promote the country’s culture nationwide.
"This event aims to celebrate our rich culture and ensure that we fully understand and appreciate our traditions. I want to assure you that both the President and the First Lady are deeply committed to making this event a success," he stated.
"I strongly encourage everyone to enroll our children in school, whether it be a conventional institution or a Madrasa. Let us also instill a sense of discipline in them while teaching the values of our culture and traditions.
“The First Lady has conveyed to me that the President aims to represent everyone, regardless of our culture, religion, or origin. Additionally, the President has expressed a commitment to supporting organisations like Fulbe Africa and any other groups that promote our cultural heritage.”
Musa Baldeh, President of Fulbe Africa, emphasised the significance of the gathering by stating: “We, the Fulbe people in The Gambia, have come together to recognize that our traditions and culture are at risk of fading away. Consequently, we have engaged in discussions to explore strategies that will safeguard the future of our cultural heritage.”
Since its inception, the association has accomplished significant milestones, including teaching the Pulaar language, launching extensive awareness campaigns across the country aimed at Fulani communities, and emphasising the importance of obtaining national documentation, among other initiatives.
“When a language is neither spoken nor written, it is highly likely to face a significant decline. This is why we stress the importance of both speaking and learning our language within our community," he said, adding that they are planning to establish the first Fulani school in the country.
Alhagie Juldeh Sowe, a distinguished guest from Sierra Leone, emphasised the significance of the cultural event, stating: "I am truly honoured to be part of this occasion. This initiative is one we aspire to replicate in our country, as it aims to unite the Fulani people and celebrate our rich culture and traditions."
He assured them that they would continue to collaborate, saying: “Through our partnership, I also want you to include a Quranic competition every Ramadan, for which I will provide full funding.”
Dr Demba Trawally, in his address on the occasion, highlighted the pressing necessity for farmers to adjust their agricultural methods. He calls for the cultivation of quick-growing crops that can produce results in just three months. This advice arises from the decreasing rainfall linked to climate change and other critical factors.
He also encourages farmers to plant trees to protect the country’s forest cover. "In fact, if you visit the provinces today, you will notice that some communities have started burning the bush,” he motivates farmers. “Consequently, a significant number of our livestock are now migrating to Cassamace, the southern region of Senegal."
The festival features a vibrant array of cultural groups and artistes, including Bobo Diimo, the Nyamakala Cultural Group, Sunna Njatti, the Fulabantang Cultural Group, and Assan Gido, and Gainako.
The unique voices and vibrant cultural performances of the artistes entertained the guests, with many, including the nation's First Lady, describing it as one of the best experiences.
