Kuruntu Kelefaa
Kumbengo
Hardiino
Summary
The griots would inform the rulers to control the behaviour of any man who dared to oppose his leadership.
During war times, such persons were given harsh punishment or killed because rulers resisted challenges within their kingdoms.
A similar incident occurred during Musa Molloh’s reign between him and Sellou Koyada at Foroya. He commonly bragged that Musa Molloh would not dare to come and fight them at Foroya.
Musa lured Sellou to his place at Hamdallai. When Sellou arrived, a black bull was killed to welcome him. However, Musa asked his men to arrest Sellou and intended to kill him, but his griots pleaded for mercy and he was released by Musa with a lot of riches.
Part of a good griot’s job is to create amicable relationships, included were arranging marriages and recommending young women and young men for marriage.
The Kora music player in the background was trained by his brother and father who traditionally played “Ngoni” instrument which is a little different from the Kora instrument.
He typically travelled to shows with his brother as his apprentice. They travelled frequently in Guinea Bissau, where he became a qualified Kora player in the year Musa Molloh died. Eventually, he was permitted to have his own shows.
The first kora tunes he learnt included, Kelefa, Jula, Ala laa ke and Lampango. He became highly proficient in playing these tunes and others including Jula Jekerr and Abdou Njai.
The tune he was playing at the time was one dedicated to the Manding rulers. Among the rulers was Sunjata who was born on the same day as his brother. Sunjata spent a long time unable to walk and he walked one day after being angered by the people.
When Sunjata’s father died he was exiled with his mother to Fari Iburaima Tunkara. While in exile Sunjata’s mother died and he was asked to buy her a burial ground.
He bought the burial ground and ended Fari Iburaima’s signs of conflict between them.
Sunjata departed through Niani with his sister until he arrived at Dabola where he performed several surprising miracles.
References to entities made in the recording
Culture: Mandinka
Language: Mandinka
Persons: Musa Molloh, Sellou Koyadi, Sunjata, Fari Iburaima Tunkara
Relationship: Both Musa Molloh and Sellou Koyada were rulers
Places: Foroya, Hamdallai, Guinea Bissau, Niani, Dabola
Movements: Sunjata was exiled to Fari Iburaima Tunkara
Actions: Sunjata performed some surprising miracles in Dabola
Time references: During the days of Musa Molloh reign
The early age of Sunjata
Alternative names: Keita, Kaita, Keyta, Jobarteh, Jobateh, Jobate, Amadou, Sidibeh, Bakary, Bakari, Bakery, Kebba, Kelefa, Moussa, Mousa, Molloh
Published by NCAC - National Digital Archive of The Gambia, initiated by University of Hamburg, Asia-Africa-Institute, Germany, funded by Gerda Henkel Foundation, Germany
