Gainako Newspaper

Nestle between the edge of Latrikunda and Dippakunda on one end and separated by the
famous stream "wayobi" on the other end lies a narrow strip land. This strip of land is a
settlement, of a small community called Erinjang. This is a beautiful place surrounded by
Palm trees, Mango trees, Birds, animals and closeness to Mother Nature that few people
or places experienced. This place is also the abode of great oracles that is well known and
respected throughout the Gambia.

Growing up in the neighborhood of latrikunda as a young boy, Erinjan represents the final frontier between
civilization and the wild. It is a place that carries an aura of mystic about it. During the rainy season the
grass would grow tall and dense. The mango trees would be full of ripe fruits ready to be plucked. People
would engage in small scale subsistence farming by planting sugar canes, maze, sweet potatoes and
groundnuts. At night when it is quite you can hear the occasional hooting of owls, bats and other night
creatures. Other times you can smell the sweetness of maze being roasted from the neighborhood. When it
is damp and wet, you can smell the leaves from the quinine "Nim" tree used locally to ward off the dreaded
mosquitoes. This couple with the moisture in the air from the nearby stream makes this permeable from a
distance.

On a sunny and beautiful day you could see men climbing palm trees singing tunes of
great melodies while taping wine. High in the palm trees these men would at times
whistle coded signals to each other or to any one initiated or versed in these arts.
These palm wines are mainly served at the local bars and drinking parlors "Daa-ka"
as they locally known. It is also sold for ceremonial events for mostly the Christian
and animist community. Erinjang is also well known for the production of moonshine
"Kaa-na". These drinking parlors or "Daak-a" are great communal place amongst
local wine drinkers where patrons would meet, drink, debate, exchange ideas and
share great stories. Great anecdotes had emerged from these drinking parlors
"Daa-ka".

One famous anecdote is -"Palm wine is from God to Man"
Another interesting anecdote is- "Drunks are of clean hearts for they speak of no evil"

Erinjan mystic is due to the fact the place is also the abode of great oracles. In fact Erinjang boast of more
than one oracle. These oracles are known to have cure ailments that modern medicine is unable to
diagnosed or cure. They have offered answers to some great questions. Answers to mysterious happenings
in people lives and even offer guidance to all those who seek this path. People from far away in different
places and communities come to pay homage to this place. Many people come to seek protection for
themselves, their families and wealth. Others come to seek council with the deity through the medium of the
priestess. Erinjang- the place, the people embodies an aura of invincibility.

The stream "wayobi" is an integral part of Erinjang mystic. This stream is a natural
barrier between this settlement and beyond. During the rainy season, the stream turns
into a small river and it is a period of intense activities. Here children in my neighborhood
would flock in groups to play in the water, competing who can swim faster, dive deeper
all the while building great camaraderie. Other times some people would perform rituals
at this stream. On a good day when the sun is shining some families would do their
laundry in the stream and dry their clothes out in the open grass without fear or
reservation for after all the gods of Erinjang, are watching over the community.

Life here is very simple. Living close to nature teaches you something unique and fundamental to the human
psyche. It helps develops your instincts, strengthen your spatial awareness, better understanding of nature
and a great respect for the sacred. This environment also molds your character by instilling discipline,
resilient and fortitude. Erinjang provides a sense of communal protection that enables its youth to go forth
and live their lives with great hope and confidence.

Momodou Laama Jallow
North Carolina, USA

................Animal Farm
............................................Revisited (Part one)
....... By Baba Galleh Jallow..(Courtesy of G-post)...................Posted January 30th, 2007

The �lower animals� on Animal Farm have been growing more and more restive by the
hour. In spite of all the assurances that the long-snouted Squealer, Napoleon�s faithful
crony that the great leader had their best interests at heart, the lower animals grew more
suspicious of the pigs� motives. And for good reasons too.

While Clover the horse, Muriel the goat and Minimus the poet were often carried away by Squealer�s
oratory, Benjamin the donkey, Moses the raven and a great number of animals maintained a good deal of
doubt in Napoleon the pig�s sincerity. Though he could not boast of such intelligence as the pigs
possessed, Benjamin the donkey was sure that something had been going badly wrong since Napoleon�s
fierce dogs chased Snowball the pig, a former leading figure of his regime out of Animal Farm and accused
him of complicity with the ousted Farmer Jones at the battle of the Cowshed. Even Toady the frog agreed
with Benjamin that Snowball was the architect and hero of that memorable battle against Farmer Jones and
his bunch of human invaders. In spite of Napoleon�s claims to the contrary, Benjamin was sure that he
heard Snowball cry attack! and saw the brave pig butt and bite Jones himself, sending him on his heels.
That Napoleon should therefore insist that Snowball was a traitor just could not make sense to Benjamin,
though for many years, he kept mute about what he thought.

It was not only Benjamin who grew increasingly restive under the rule of the clever pigs of Animal Farm.
Many other animals were getting worried. Over the years, they had seen Napoleon become more and
more like Farmer Jones in more and more respects. They had seen him grow more and more arrogant by
the hour, more and more wealthy and more and more confident that he could do just anything and get
away with it because he had fierce dogs guarding him and ready to execute anyone like they executed
those cows, sheep and hens who were accused of collaborating with Snowball. In spite of their dullness of
wit, Benjamin the donkey, Muriel the goat, Minimus the poet, and indeed all the lower animals had begun
realizing that Napoleon the pig was fast becoming worse than Jones. Even the sheep who piped �four legs
good, two legs better� when Napoleon decided to walk on two legs, were growing less enthusiastic about
their song. Now when they sang it, they only slightly parted their lips and half-heartedly bleated . . . ur le
goo--- wo leg mbe . . . with their eyes closed, which said a lot about how enthusiastic they were at singing
Napoleon�s praises.

But of course, Napoleon was not to be challenged by anyone on Animal Farm, sheep, goat or monkey. He
ensured that his gang of faithful dogs was well fed and kept as stupid as possible by criminalizing thinking
among their ranks. To ensure that his plan worked perfectly, he appointed the faithful Squealer Director of
Animal Affairs and had the best honey and grain supplied to Kokoliko, his faithful black cockerel, so that
his voice would remain loud and clear when he announced the numerous exploits of the gallant Napoleon.
All the other pigs at the farm he kept well fed and well clothed and some sows he honored by taking them
on as his mistresses and concubines. He ensured that his clever dealings with Mr. Whymper of dubious
fame filled the lower animals with awe at his mental prowess and knew no limits in making them see that he
was a superior species of animal. Thus his order that the seven principles of Animalism be abolished
and replaced with the bold caption, ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT PIGS ARE MORE EQUAL
THAN OTHERS was calculated to drive that message home.

It was when Napoleon sold Boxer the great horse to the horse slaughterer that he started losing the loyalty
of some of the animals, particularly Benjamin the donkey, Clover the horse, and Minimus the poet.
Squealer�s explanation that Boxer had been taken to a hospital in Willingdon Farm failed to convince the
animals and when news of Boxer�s death reached their tortured ears, their worst fears and suspicions were
confirmed in no uncertain terms. Surely, Boxer did not deserve such cruel treatment from Napoleon whom
he always insisted was always right. But because Napoleon�s fierce dogs menacingly growled and bared
their sharp, bloodthirsty teeth when anyone asked stupid questions, the animals took Squealer�s
explanation and Boxer was never mentioned again, though never forgotten.

That Napoleon, Squealer, Napoleon�s dogs, his black cockerel and all the other pigs were greatly enjoying
themselves became more and more evident by the day. Napoleon had grown so fat that he could hardly
open his eyes and spent most of his time sleeping in Jones� comfortable bed, while Squealer directed farm
affairs. In addition to �Animal Hero, first class�, �Animal hero, second class�, �Animal hero, third class and
the Order of the Green Banner, Napoleon created and bestowed upon himself many other gallant
decorations, all of which he wore on his many public appearances. In addition to his titles of The Great
Leader Comrade Napoleon and Savior of the Animals, Napoleon now took on the additional titles of
Gallant Benefactor, Grand Master of Wisdom, Benevolent Guardian of the Lost, and Dr. Ratahal,
Commander of the Faithful and Raiser of the Dead. He insisted that on every public appearance, Squealer
came forward to address him with all his gallant titles and make mention of his heroic deeds and
decorations before his hallowed name itself was pronounced to the unworthy wars of the lower animals.
After the battle of the Windmill, Napoleon had also bestowed upon himself the honorable title of Lord
Chancellor of the Chequered, as a mark of his gallantry and patriotism.

...� Copyright, 2006-2007: Gainako On-line Newspaper. Site Maintained by Gamway Computers