Early Settlers of Banjul: Chamen Halwar, Futa Torro Part 1

[@fatoubinnettesaine2356]

Maasha Allah Madam, i was over whelmed with joy when i heard this program broadcast by Paradise FM, with Alh Everybody Mbye. Your lineage is among Gambia most noble and respected families. To hail from a long line of Islamic scholars , jihadist and direct great great uncle to Sheikh Omar Futio Taal is a worthy cause worth celebrating .

[@fatimjobe6420]

Well done ! For a perfect speech laudable facts and a unique window in Banjul eldest religious family

[@ousmanmbaye9495]

Congratulation Chamen, i attended the same Darra Chamen ; with children of our late Deputy Imam Alh Bun Gaye, his eldest son of blessed memory and his sister NJaimeh Gaye

[@sulaymanchamdemba8645]

Isatou. i am really proud of this documentary, it has help me to understand who i am and who my ancestors were. I am proud to be of Tuculor origins and a relative of Sheikh Omar Futio Taal and descendants of Abdul Abbass Cham, Alpha Abbas Cham and Mam Mbye Jaherr Cham

[@ndendehjoof2939]

Isatou , you deserve to be commended for a well researched and exceptionally presented documentary, rich in depth, details and evidence.

[@sulaymanchamdemba8645]

Cuz, this documentary is a masterpiece and the technicians have done a great job correlating the narrative with story telling pictures . I also appreciates the time taken to label the pictures for easy identification.

[@awambye7032]

Isatou wow ngorr wow ngorr na yu Yalla lafal chat. Askani Torrodo ak Sheikh Omar Futio Taal . I'm so proud of you

[@yadiconejoof8864]

I can remember vividly those majestic visits to Chamen by Mburr Banjul, Sir Alieu Sulaiman Jack, everyone would come out to watch in amazement , his body guards, shining Governor's car with the crown as number plate. Bravo! Isatou

[@sallahjeng583]

Isatou you are a trail blazer , i am sure this document would inspire many viewers, to follow your footsteps. I commend both you and Dr Kabir Cham for your high level optimism during those gloomy days, I cannot imagine how you mustered the courage to conduct an interview with your late Bajen Haddy Betty Cham. together with Dr Kabir Cham; ,just few day upon his returning home from medical treatment in Germany.. Moreover I really enjoyed watching the documentary and could not wait for part 2

[@awambye7032]

Duga nga chi yah burai , ak askan bu rai. Ai Cham Demba Pirr Beh Sheikh Omar Futio

[@yadiconejoof8864]

Congrats wa kerr Mariam Demba Cham. I think Gammo Chamen used to be the most spectacular Gamo that used to draw a very large crowd from far and near during the 1960.s to the late 1980.s. Both Sir Farimang Singhateh and President Jawara including Imam Momodou Lamin Bah of blessed memory were among the dignitaries that used to attend

[@pafodaytouray6006]

Adieu to our noble historian Alh Mansour Njie and Bravo Isatou for facilitating and preserving this historic documentary .

[@mamiesanyang9908]

it's educational, enlightening for young people like me. good work Mrs Graham

[@modounjie6919]

Isatou, the chronology of Chamen 76 Dobson Street speaks in volume and in depth , which is professional for what is common knowledge today will be refutable information in twenty years time. You've done well and please replicate this historic narrative to other families as well

[@mbaawabojang8580]

Madam, i think the National Records Office should have a sensitization program urging people with ancient and unique documents to bring it to their attention , for proper handling and preservation of such documents. Well done Isatou! Im waiting for the continuation of part ( 2 ) & ( 4 ).

[@fatoubakariejankho7351]

Congratulation Aunty Isatou , for this entertaining documentary, Gambia No 1, leading griot and T V Commentator Alh Every Mbye gave it a nation wide publicity by airing it on Paradise F M. He went further and gave it another interesting and enriching dimension by propounding the rich and religious history of Chamen Dobson Street

[@nenehsaidyleigh8521]

Madam, The Bah' yen Futanka family, are joining viewers wishing all Banjulians a Happy 200 Anniversary. and to personally commend you on a job well done.

[@missydra8654]

congratulations dear family

[@sallahjeng583]

Isatou, what strikes me most is the selfless sacrificed of Dr Kabir Cham and his likes during the 1981 aborted Coup.de'etat . It was thoughtful of both President Jawara & President Abdou Joof, to pay homage by visiting our courageous comrades at Hospital Principal Dakar, but i think Dr Kabir and his medical team who were with him in that vehicle deserved more. He should be given a national award for bravery and courage.

[@sainaboutouray4070]

isatou, this is not only a unique entertaining documentary but a reference library for future generations to learn and research from,. You left no stone untouched, the information is iin depth, well research and respectfully presented

[@pafodaytouray6006]

A pleasing and entertaining documentary to watch. I am sadden to note that our history books did not give a fair narrative of the late Mr P S Njie, but those shortcomings have been address by this documentary. Madam we owe you a lot for facilitating and preserving this piece of documentary all those years, i am also deeply enlightened about the role your great great grandfather Master of the West Indian Regiment, Mr S Kennedy had played in the annals of our country rich history

[@yaguwada3119]

Aunty Isatou, Congrats for putting together this wonderful documentary

[@mbaawabojang8580]

Isatou, this documentary is sensational and educating , little did I know that your Cham clan originates from Halwar and related to Sheikh Omar Futio Taal. I used to believe that its only the Cham's from Sukuta and those from Chamen Nianija were the only Cham's of Tuculoor origin. CONGRATS!

[@fodaysawaneh6308]

The history of Chamen is entertaining and the hand written holy Quran by Mufti Ousainou Demba Cham is one of its kind

[@jullaketamba9054]

I heard Alh Every Body Mbye on GRTS Radio some days back reiterating as fact that the first hand written holy Quran was written by Mam Mbye Jaherr Cham and became widely used for the purpose of swearing in litigants at the former Magistrate & Supreme Court of the Gambia from the early 1830's. This is no ordinary feat. CONGRATULATION to the Chamen family of Dobson Street

[@modounjie6919]

The long standing relationship between Chamen & Fayen and the good neighborliness that existed between the two clans over athe centuries is exemplary . This exemplary good neighborhood which had formed into kingship is worthy of emulating

[@ndatehfaal637]

I enlightening and in depth

[@mariamjawla6138]

Madam, I have the pleasure watching all four documentaries , they are carefully researched and well presented with hard core facts supported by traditional narratives and folklores. Last Friday evening Alh Every Mbye on his radio talk show with Paradise FM did mention the notable deeds of Mam Mbye Jaherr Cham your great grandfather, that he was the Islamic scholar that converted to Islam many people, including the great grandfather of the Mayor of Banjul Abdoulie Bah, who was called Demba Bah of blessed memory.

[@yaguwada3119]

This documentary is entertaining, interesting and educating to watch. Please keep it up

[@jullaketamba9054]

You did well Madam, it is pleasing and enjoyable to watch

[@fatoundingceesay186]

Inspiring and well presented documentary

[@joggundendehnjai9974]

Isatou , may the Almighty God protect and guide. This documentary is highly commendable, it has left me speechless, but much inspired and committed to air our family chronology. in a similar fashion . isatou , the beautiful picture of Bajen, Haddy Cham Betty is a replica of the one inserted in one of the pages of that banned infamous book called " Enter The Gambia". Bajen Haddy or Tanta Haddy, to some people was a highly sophisticated and beautiful "diriankehs of Banjul, she was also well respected and admired. In fact she was among the privileged few ladies of Banjul to perform the Hajj in the mid 1950's via sea route. She was a light skinned brown colored and well dressed diriankeh, with high pointed nose and big slanted eyes . In those days she was among the top 5 Banjul diriankehs that used to adorned themselves with outstanding jewellery 24 kt gold; they were Aji Njaimeh Joof of Wellington Street, Aji Mam Ngoneh John's mother (she was Jezz John sister), Aji Haddy Betty Cham Kumba Ndangeh, Tata Elis Johnson of leman Street, Aji Amie Cham Sainey ( formerly of Fitzerald Street and Grant Street junction that is the premises where Hajo Jarra Pharmacy used to be).

[@lailanjie4928]

I enjoyed watching it Madam, It has depths and waves

[@modounjie6919]

During the 1970 s to 1080 s Gamo Fayen was presided by a learned scholar called Ma Demba Cham , he was blessed with a golden voice he would waareh and sing like Serign Omar Fatou Jallow Nyiass . This shows the unique relationship that exists between Chamen and Fayen

[@laminkandeh1450]

Madam, You have come up with a great research work about your family religious and noble lineage stretching back to Shehu Omar Taal, which has also being affirmed by the late Alagie Sait Camara and others. This is great but please expand the narratives to other families as well. Congrats African Writing Poet.

[@lailanjie4928]

I am so proud of you, please stay blessed

[@ndabofmanneh2396]

interesting documentary

[@ousmanmbaye9495]

I think the sacrifices made by Dr Kabir Cham for our dear mother land , during Kukoi's coup should not go in vain. He deserves a medal for courage, and bravery

[@ndabofmanneh2396]

Please keep it up

[@saribacharty4812]

well done Madam

[@isatoucham973]

Bravo Aunty Isatou

[@mbaawabojang8580]

Madam, your family did well preserving that hand written Holy Quran by Ousainou Mariam Demba Cham as shown in part ( 1 ). Due to the age of this rare and unique document and the history of its importance, the custodian of such a document is our National Museum .

[@yadiconejoof8864]

Isatou, Chamen 76 Dobson used to be a center of Quranic (madarasa) up to the late 1950.s. I attended Daara around that time, during the time of Pa Alagie Gaye and the late Papa Bai Chami . Respectable families used to send their children there for Daara, which included the children of the late deputy Imam of Banjul Alh Bun Gaye, Njien of 11 Dobson Street and many more. Isatou you have all reasons to celebrate your good family history and noble lineage..

[@missydra8654]

GREAT

[@pafodaytouray6006]

Just imagine to have an ancestor who wrote the entire holy Quran from memory nearly 200 years ago, at a time when few people can recite the Adz an i.e. the prayer call. Congrats to the Cham Halwar family of 76 Dobson Street known as Chamen

[@ndendehjoof2939]

Congratualtion to all Banjulians and the Cham Dembas in particularly N0 76 Dobson Street, Chamen and their rich history and religious lineage.

[@ebrimamambaicham8729]

Proud of you Aunty Isatou

[@soweracine6434]

Madam, I never knew that both King David and King Solomon did gold smith works. Thanks for that enlightenment and best wishes

[@sallahjeng583]

I would like to suggest a national Heroes Day to commemorate our Gambian fallen heroes from all works of lives, from Maba Jahou Bah, Foday Kaba, Foday Dumbuya and the likes of Dr Kabir Cham etc. Bravo !Isatou Alwar Cham -Graham for sharing those pictures of Dr kabir, i think its proper to pay homage to someone during his life time than to wait until the person is gone.

[@mbaawabojang8580]

Isatou, its only the first part posted on yutube, i hope part 2 and the rest will soon be aired and follow in sequence.

[@isatoucham973]

A wonderfful epic

[@fatoubinnettesaine2356]

Madam, this is Ndey Sira , OMG it is completely impossible to commend on youtube without an account, i decided to hack on Binette account hahahah.Congratulation Madam and all your family.Your documentary is a thesis , well presented and enjoyable to watch. May Allah protect you from harm and evil plans. Bravo! Chamen Hakwar, Futa Torro

[@sallahjeng583]

Isatou , im not a google account holder but i felt the need to create one and pay homage to Dr Kabir Cham and our fallen heroes during the 1981 uprising, including our friend Nyanga Sallah ( R I P )

[@sulaymanchamdemba8645]

Cuz, we have every reason to be proud of who we are and were we came from. I did not know that the 2nd Cadi of Banjul was a relative and an Islamic Scholar. I am also proud to be Cham Demba Futa Torro

[@fatoubakariejankho7351]

Bavo! Aunty Isatou, It would be wonderful if you and Alh Every Mbyre could run a coverage on Chamen Niani we are from a long line of Chiefs, and Marabouts, Millon thanks once again

[@fatoundingceesay186]

Wonderful

[@ndeyramatouliesecka4462]

According to my grandmother the regiments came looking for one Gorgi Bibu Jobe and Gorgi Haley Njie an argument ensued shots were fired during which an elderly lady called Fatoumatta Mariam Demba was shot on the leg, this happened over 100 years ago . BRAVO! CHAMEN

[@ebrimamambaicham8729]

love it

[@fatoubakariejankho7351]

Aunty Isatou, my grand father used to spent the trade season at Carrol Wharf doing errands for Alh Badara Cham, who was a close friend of chief Arona Cham of Chamen Nianija. Madam please do a coverage of Chamen Nianija they are also descendants of Tukulorr whose origins are from Alwarr Futa Torro

[@neayfamatouray930]

What Mr P S Njie said about the late Omar Gaye Cham is a big credit to Chamen 76 Dobson Street and to this documentary. Isatou, among the namesakes of Omar Gaye Cham is Gorgi Omar Gaye Nyang of Hagan Street, whose children are Mrs Fatou Bomb Bensouda and Mrs Jainaba Nyang Njie.

[@fatoundingceesay186]

Great

[@ndeyramatouliesecka4462]

Congratulations to Wa Kerr Bai Nyiass Talubeh. I would not have believe my ears if it was not Serign Omar Fatou Jallow Nyiass, narrating as a fact that Cherno Ebrima Cham was the first person from Banjul to come over to Kaolack and Tarrbyu to Bai Nyiass and the first person to "maass" Bai Nyiass Hassida, known as "Saarimang" and many many more.. Isatou am begining to understand why Chamen 76 Dobson, are revered with respect and refered to as Setti Walieu

[@neayfamatouray930]

Mr P S Njie hinted that Omar Gaye Cham was highly knowledgeable in both English and the Quran and a closely knitted friend of Sir Samuel Forster. As a matter of fact when Omar Gaye Cham passed away , as explained to us , by my grandfather in the late 1930's, Sir Samuel Forster gathered all his religious write-ups including copy of a hand written holy Quran for safe keeping , later he deposited copy of the Quran with the then Crown Records Office, Bathurst, The Gambia.

[@awambye7032]

Suma Tanta Gas Mbye , I'm proud of your comments but you forgot to mention that Gorrgi Sulaiman Cham used to host Mam Yusupha Ngum in Chamen who later named her daughter Mam Njameh Ngum after Sulaiman Cham's mother Njaimeh Secka ( bokka ch wa Kerr Serign yi Fallu Serign Ndakaru)

[@jeksndow3583]

Please check my comments on part one & two . My God ! This is genius how did you managed to keep those ancient documents , old audio tape of Aji Haddy Cham Kumba Ndageh, alb Sait Camaraderie , that of F- Mbye , And Mr P S Njie? Bravo Idatou ! This is not story telling but hard facts , nor myth but reality

[@laminkandeh1450]

Isatou, your sister Mumina would like to join others and comment you for a job well done. Its very difficult to comment on youtube if you don't have a google account, im using Kandeh's account. Sis, we enjoyed watching Mr P S Njie and the homage paid to you by the late Alh Mansour Njie in part 1 and 2 and i quote " yalla ak Isatou". WOW! sis, ligai bi mettina, yangi genay fu metti. May Allah reward and bless you

[@sainaboutouray4070]

Madam, check my comments on Part 2 and also Aljamdu. You will do a similar for my family, no excuse and am not taking no for an answer. Bravo!

[@mariamjawla6138]

I would like President Barrow to emulate Senegal ,President Macky Sallah , who has set up a committee of historian, tradition leaders, researchers and writers to re write the history of Senegal , stretching back to Egypt. Madam our history books does not represent the great deeds of our ancestors and who they were. It focuses on a handful of kings some of them are not heroes but traitors and human rights violators who sold into slavery half of the district they once ruled. Bravo Madam for a Documentary well research and entertaining.

[@awambye7032]

Tanta Gas let me add this Mam Njaimeh Ngum son uncle Sulaiman Mbengeh was also named after Gorrgi Sulaiman Cham

[@mariamjawla6138]

ATTENTION VIEWERS! This part is incomplete please switch over to "Early Settlers of Banjul Chamen Pt 1" Thanks

[@modounjie6919]

Wow

[@ndeyramatouliesecka4462]

Isatou, mu grandmother has a surprise for you and want to add this script : Gorgi Haley Njie came to Banjul during the cheddo war with the marabouts ( hareeh sillah) , he was persecuted and when they got to know that he was lodged at 76 Dobson Street they came with some regiments and shots were fired at 76 Dobson Street, Banjul and an elderly woman called Fatoumatta Mariam Demba Cham was shot and wounded.. This prompted Gorgi Sulaiman Cham confrontation with Gorgi Pmpeh Omar Gaye and other Banjul elders that he is offering refuge to Mam Haley Njie and anyone who liked him must like his guest Haley Njie. Look! if you listening carefully to the narrative of audio narrative of Bajen Haddy Betty Kumba Ndageh , she made mentioned that Fatoumatta Mariam Demba was shot on the leg .

[@fatoundingceesay186]

Congrats to Chamen family of Dobson Street

[@joggundendehnjai9974]

Sen chossan rai na, askanbi bahh na, yahbi rai na, juddu bi refetna. lawla chat ndom.

[@soweracine6434]

Being a typical Pulaar (Fulani) i am sorry to say that I was brought up with a strong prejudice against griots, smiths, and so on and on. I thought the Chamen group of Banjul were smiths.? Please don't get me wrong, in a conventional Pulaar community the Cham Bailor were domestic slaves .Originally they were free born or nobles whose villages were raided , they were captured and sold as slaves. It is an understatement to rate this documentary as wonderful or entertaining, in my opinion it is exceptional and educating , it has enlighten both my self and friends that the Cham Demba of Dobson Street are from a very high caste and long line of iSLAMIC sCHOLARS

[@mbaawabojang8580]

Isatou, the Eti Ndanaan program by Alh Efri Body Mbye and Gorrgi Alassan Mbengeh was first aired on Radio 1 F m in 1994 , which you have chosen to upload as evidence and have it published on Yutube yesterday, Interestingly the proprietor Mr George Christensen passed away yesterday . Isatou , i think the Chamen family owe him a homage it was his Radio that aired your intriguing lineage and rich history in 1994..( R I P George Christensen ) .

[@mbaawabojang8580]

Madam, in your introduction you mentioned another hand written Holy Quran by the 2nd Cadi of Banjul Mam Mass Jack, which was written in the late 17th century should be handed over to the National Museum for posterity and safe keeping .

[@mayacorr1052]

This documentary reiterate a well known fact that Chamen 76 Dobson Street , Banjul hailed from a long line of Islamic scholars a well respected religious family , whose descendants have contributed their quota towards the national development of our country

[@lailanjie4928]

Madam, this is your look alike , im using Fatou's google account to commend and congratulate the enitre Chamen family of N0 76 Dobson Street., Sen Juddu refettna , bahna as reiterated by Alh F-ri body Mbye of Paradise FM (Friday at 8 p m )

[@mariamjawla6138]

Madam my Mum would like you to liase with Aunty Adama Njie daughter of the late Kebba Sak Njie ,of N0 11 Dobson Street, where she used to live, According to my mum Aunty Adama Njie, Aunty Joanna Jahumpa, Aunty Ida Jahumpa and many others did their Daara Quanic lessons at Chamen 76 Dobson Street

[@ndatehfaal637]

Isatou

[@cordulinguirendow539]

After watching Mr P S Njie documentary which youve posted on KZbin, I am convinced that Yaya Jammeh lacks manhood, nobility and courage. History has taught him nothing. Yaya Jammeh please take some life lessons from Mr P S Njie, who had conceded defeat and step down during the 1964 elections and handed over the reins to President Jawara. Yaya Jammeh this small country was built by great men of blue blood in the persons of Mr J C Faye, Jahumpa, Sir Alieu Jack, Mr Forster, Mr Monday, Mr Sanjally Bojang, Mama Tamba Jammeh, Mr Baldeh, Mr A B Njie, Mr Edward Small, Mr Ousman Jeng, Alh Shehu Faye etc etc