#Fula teacher

[panafrocore]

The Legacy of Nana Asmaʾu: Scholar, Poet, and Islamic Leader

Nana Asma’u, a remarkable figure in the history of Nigeria and Islam, was much more than just a princess. She was a poet, a teacher, and a prominent female scholar who left an indelible mark on her society and continues to inspire people today. Born in 1793 into a family deeply influential in the establishment of the Sokoto Caliphate, Nana Asma’u was destined for greatness. Her father, Usman dan…

[blackswaneuroparedux]

Language is the dress to thought

- Samuel Johnson

Among the Scandinavian languages, Swedish and Norwegian resemble each other the most. Swedish and Norwegian are siblings, and Danish… well, compared to Swedish and Norwegian, Danish is like a strange, loud cousin.   Swedish and Norwegian both stem from Old Norse, which is an extinct North Germanic language. In the beginning, the early versions of Swedish and Norwegian resembled each other greatly, but over time the two languages began to grow apart and display more distinct differences than before.   Norwegian is, however, divided into various dialects, and some of these dialects look and sound very much like Swedish. Naturally, there are also dialects that sound far from Swedish.

For centuries, Norway was part of the Danish Kingdom. In 1814, Norway left the union with Denmark, but without having its own national language. Norwegian and Danish have much in common, but there are also differences in grammar and pronunciation. In the 19th century, several approaches to how to create a national language were discussed. Ivar Aasen studied the dialects to create a new written language, now called Nynorsk. Others started the work to reform Danish, resulting in what we now call Bokmål. Hence, there are two official standards of Norwegian, although the vast majority uses Bokmål.

The lack of one clear standard is one of the reasons why people continued to speak dialect. But the position of the regional dialects has also been secured by the lawmakers. For more than a hundred years, it has been settled by law that teachers have to adapt their spoken language to the way the children speak.  School children learn the official way of reading and writing – however they speak their own local dialect in class. Throughout Norway, it is common for people to feel uncomfortable with talking the way they write; they prefer to express themselves in their real mother tongue.

Quite a few people ask me whether learning one of the Scandinavian languages is enough to communicate in all three countries. To put it simply, the answer to this question is both yes and no. It is true that as a native Norwegian, I am able to understand both Swedish and Danish. The similarities are evident, especially if you look at the vocabulary, the phrase structure and the grammar. However, there are many differences as well.

Most of these differences are small, but certainly not all of them. In a few cases, other words are used to express the same concept. One of the most famous tales by H.C. Andersen is called “Den grimme ælling” in the original Danish version. In Norwegian, the same tale is called “Den stygge andungen”, and in Swedish “Den fula ankungen”.

Being half-Norwegian I was already acquainted with music and pop culture from Sweden. At a young age, I realised that it was often easier to recognise Swedish words in writing if I read them out loud, also because they are often spelled in a way that comes close to the pronunciation.

The Swedes are usually the worst at understanding the other two languages. When I go to Sweden, I mix a number of Swedish words into my Norwegian to avoid misunderstandings. Music in Swedish language has also been successful in Norway and Denmark, but it has never been so in the other direction.

If I write an e-mail to Sweden or Denmark, I can write in Norwegian, and the person I write to answers me in his or her own language. A phone call works the same way, although we always have to be aware of differences in vocabulary and in pronunciation. So yes, across Scandinavia, we can communicate with each other, in our own languages. We can say that we speak Scandinavian, although we don’t say that we speak the same language.

[valkyries-things]

NANA ASMA’U // PRINCESS

“She was a Fula princess, poet, teacher, and a daughter of the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate, Usman dan Fodio. She remains a revered figure in northern Nigeria. She is held up by some as an example of education and independence of women possible under Islam, and by others as a precursor to modern feminism in Africa.”

[kemetic-dreams]

Nina Simone, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, arranger, and civil rights activist. Her music spanned a broad range of musical styles including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop.

The Yoruba people (Yoruba: Ìran Yorùbá) are an ethnic group that inhabits western Africa, mainly the countries of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The Yoruba diaspora consists of two main groupings; first were Yorubas dispersed through Atlantic slave trade mainly to the western hemisphere and the second wave includes relatively recent migrants, the majority of which moved to the United Kingdom and the United States after major economic and political changes in the 1960s to 1980s As an ethnic description, the word "Yoruba" (or more correctly "Yaraba") was originally in reference to the Oyo Empire

The alternative name Akú, derived from the first words of Yoruba greetings (such as Ẹ kú àárọ? "good morning", Ẹ kú alẹ? "good evening") has survived in certain parts of their diaspora as a self-descriptive, especially in Sierra Leone

The Yoruba are among the most urbanized people in Africa. For centuries before the arrival of the British colonial administration most Yoruba already lived in well structured urban centres organized around powerful city-states (Ìlú) centred around the residence of the Oba.In ancient times, most of these cities were fortresses, with high walls and gates.Yoruba cities have always been among the most populous in Africa. Archaeological findings indicate that Òyó-Ilé or Katunga, capital of the Yoruba empire of Oyo (fl. between the 11th and 19th centuries CE), had a population of over 100,000 people. For a long time also, Ibadan, one of the major Yoruba cities and founded in the 1800s, was the largest city in the whole of Sub Saharan Africa. Today, Lagos (Yoruba: Èkó), another major Yoruba city, with a population of over twenty million, remains the largest on the African continent

Ife continues to be seen as the "Spiritual Homeland" of the Yoruba. The city was surpassed by the Oyo Empire as the dominant Yoruba military and political power in the 11th century.

The Oyo Empire under its oba, known as the Alaafin of Oyo, was active in the African slave trade during the 18th century. The Yoruba often demanded slaves as a form of tribute of subject populations,who in turn sometimes made war on other peoples to capture the required slaves. Part of the slaves sold by the Oyo Empire entered the Atlantic slave trade.

Most of the city states were controlled by Obas (or royal sovereigns with various individual titles) and councils made up of Oloyes, recognised leaders of royal, noble and, often, even common descent, who joined them in ruling over the kingdoms through a series of guilds and cults. Different states saw differing ratios of power between the kingships and the chiefs' councils. Some, such as Oyo, had powerful, autocratic monarchs with almost total control, while in others such as the Ijebu city-states,the senatorial councils held more influence and the power of the ruler or Ọba, referred to as the Awujale of Ijebuland, was more limited

The Yoruba religion comprises the traditional religious and spiritual concepts and practices of the Yoruba people. Its homeland is in Southwestern Nigeria and the adjoining parts of Benin and Togo, a region that has come to be known as Yorubaland. Yoruba religion is formed of diverse traditions and has no single founder.Yoruba religious beliefs are part of itan, the total complex of songs, histories, stories and other cultural concepts that make up the Yoruba society. One of the most common Yoruba traditional religious concepts has been the concept of Orisa. Orisa (also spelled Orisha or Orixa) are various godly forms that reflect one of the various manifestations or avatars of God in the Yoruba religious system. Some widely known Orisa are Ogun, (a god of metal, war and victory), Shango or Jakuta (a god of thunder, lightning, fire and justice who manifests as a king and who always wields a double-edged axe that conveys his divine authority and power), Esu Elegbara (a trickster who serves as the sole messenger of the pantheon, and who conveys the wish of men to the gods. 

He understands every language spoken by humankind, and is also the guardian of the crossroads, Oríta méta in Yoruba) and Orunmila (a god of the Oracle). Eshu has two avatar forms, which are manifestations of his dual nature – positive and negative energies; Eshu Laroye, a teacher instructor and leader, and Eshu Ebita, a jester, deceitful, suggestive and cunning.Orunmila, for his part, reveals the past, gives solutions to problems in the present, and influences the future through the Ifa divination system, which is practised by oracle priests called Babalawos.

Olorun is one of the principal manifestations of the Supreme God of the Yoruba pantheon, the owner of the heavens, and is associated with the Sun known as Oòrùn in the Yoruba language. The two other principal forms of the supreme God are Olodumare—the supreme creator—and Olofin, who is the conduit between Òrunn (Heaven) and Ayé (Earth). 

Oshumare is a god that manifests in the form of a rainbow, also known as Òsùmàrè in Yoruba, while Obatala is the god of clarity and creativity.as well as in some aspects of Umbanda, Winti, Obeah, Vodun and a host of others. 

These varieties, or spiritual lineages as they are called, are practiced throughout areas of Nigeria, among others. As interest in African indigenous religions grows, Orisa communities and lineages can be found in parts of Europe and Asia as well. While estimates may vary, some scholars believe that there could be more than 100 million adherents of this spiritual tradition worldwide

The Fula, Fulani, or Fulɓe people are one of the largest ethnic groups are widely distributed, across the Sahel from the Atlantic coast to the Red Sea, particularly in West Africa. The countries where they are present include Mauritania, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, the Gambia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Niger, Chad, Togo, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Liberia, and as far east as the Red Sea in Sudan and Egypt.

Walter Rodney in his book The History of the Upper Guinea Coast, argues that Fulbe are originally from North Africa and they conquered the Foota Djallon region led by the Fulani Koli Tenguella.

The ethnogenesis of the Fulani people may have begun as a result of interactions between an ancient West African population and North African populations such as Berbers or Egyptians. Their West African roots may be in and around the valley of Senegal River. They likely reflect a genetic intermix of people with West African, North African, and Arabian origins, and have been a part of many ruling dynasties particularly in the Sahel and West Africa .Speculations about their origins started in the era of European conquest and colonization.

The language of the Fulani is "Pulaar", which is also the language of the Toucouleurs. All Senegalese and Mauritanians who speak the language natively are known as the Halpulaa or Haalpulaar'en , which means "speakers of Pulaar" ("hal" is the root of the Pulaar verb haalugol , meaning "to speak"). In some areas, e.g. in northern Cameroon, Fulfulde is a local lingua franca.

There are three writing systems used to write this language: an Arabic derived one called Ajami, a Latin derived system with 6 sets, and a native phonetic-faithful system called Adlam recently invented in 1989; the third one is the most increasingly popular not only learnt by hundred thousands of people among the diaspora worldwide but has also apps and computer programs created to assist in the script's adoption.

Moral code

Central to the Fulani people's lifestyle is a code of behavior known as pulaaku or laawol Fulɓe (literally meaning the "Fulani pathways" which are passed on by each generation as high moral values of the Fulbe, which enable them to maintain their identity across boundaries and changes of lifestyle. Essentially viewed as what makes a person Fulani, or "Fulaniness", pulaaku includes: Munyal: Patience, self-control, discipline, prudence Gacce / Semteende: Modesty, respect for others (including foes) Hakkille: Wisdom, forethought, personal responsibility, hospitality Sagata / Tiinaade: Courage, hard work

[linguisticcolonialism]

http://teach.italki.com/application

The website “italki” offers the possibility to learn or teach over 130 languages. Each teacher sets their own fees, and it is not necessary to have a degree or certification to teach. There are several million users, and over 5000 English teachers, but very few teachers for African languages such as Yoruba (7 teachers), Tamazight (6 teachers), Wolof (2 teachers), Sudani Arabic (1 teacher), Tigrinya (1 teacher), Somali (1 teacher), Amharic (1 teacher)... No Bambara teacher, no Fula teacher, no Oromo teacher, no Kinyarwanda teacher... Same with several Caribbean, Eastern European, South Asian or West Asian languages : Pashto, Kurdish, Chechen, Tamul, Albanese and Haitian Creole all have less than 20 teachers. Sign language (in all its varieties) also has less than 20 teachers. And almost none of the North, Central or South American indigenous languages that the website offers have any teacher at all : Lakota, Nahuatl, Wayuu, Cherokee, Cree, Choctaw, Navajo (diné bizaad), Guambiano (namtrik/misak)... all of them have 0 teachers. And none of the varieties of Rroma language (Rromani) that the website offers have any teacher either.   Of course because of eurocentric linguistic and cultural hegemony and imperialism, it’s expected that there be less demand for these languages than for English, French or Spanish, and therefore it makes sense that there are less teachers. But still, I feel like someone who speaks one of these languages could get a decent amount of money by teaching online on Italki. There is not much competition so you could get a lot of students. The website charges 15% of your earnings, but you can set your own prices.  For example, one of the only 2 Wolof teachers on the website started teaching in February of this year. She has great reviews and feedback from her students. Since February, she has given 30 half-hour trial lessons for 7,99$, 10 conversation lessons for 10,99$ to 21,99$ depending on duration, and 21 grammar & vocabulary lessons for 11,99$ to 34$ depending on duration. Imagining all the lessons she taught were the shortest (30 minutes) thus cheapest ones, she would have made approximately 500$ teaching Wolof since February, after deducting the 15% commission the website charges. In Senegal, 500$ is a lot of money, almost 1400 times the minimum hourly wage per hour, for teaching 30 hours. And the most likely is that not all of her classes lasted 30 minutes, so she probably made even more than 500$.  So, if you or someone you know  speaks one of these languages and needs money, that could be an interesting option!

[iamgabrisan]

ECOLE FULA FLUTE @fulaflute "TYABALA" CD RELEASE AND CELEBRATION with SOURCE w/ ABDOULAYE DIABATE featuring special guest, Haitian Star Emeline Michel also with Kevin Nathaniel and filmmaker Richard McKeown TUESDAY NOVEMBER 26 BERNIE WOHL AUDITORIUM 647 COLUMBUS AVENUE, NYC $10 / DOORS OPEN AT 7:30 PM EVENT STARTS PROMPTLY AT 8 PM This is a fundraising event, we will be asking for your help www.fulaflute.net On November 26, 2019, there will be a fundraising event celebrating the release of the album “TYABALA”, the lovely new CD by the students of l’école fula flute music education project in Guinea. This album represents the fruit of more than six years of collaboration between the Centre Tyabala Théâtre de Guinée in Conakry and l’école fula flute. With the first album "The Children of Tyabala" (2014), we witnessed the birth of a passion for the tambin flute among the Center’s students. Recruited from the street, these young people joined the Centre to receive an alternative formation focused on the development of Theater Arts, including music, as well as a primary education. Now, five years later, we find them again – along with new additions – seasoned and mature. Please join us to celebrate the results of six years of hard work by the students and teachers of l’école fula flute and the generosity of supporters around the world. ~ Sylvain Leroux http://fulaflute.net/ SUPPORT L'ECOLE FULA FLUTE Welcome to Fula Flute http://fulaflute.net/event.html Donations are tax-deductible in the US. This project is sponsored by the non-profit organization Hibiscus. If you prefer, you may send a paper check, please make it to the order of "Hibiscus" and send it to: 601 East 11th Street, #3B New York, NY 10009 Hibiscus will deduct 5% for administrative fees Magali Regis https://hibiscus-haiti.org/about/our-team/magali-regis-aia-bio-works/ -------------------- HAÏTI⭐LEGENDS #ECOLEFULAFLUTE #CDRELEASE #NYC #Guinea #Tyabala #music #education #project #TheaterArts #Conakry #SOURCE #Abdoulaye #SylvainLeroux #MagaliRégis #EmelineMichel #KevinNathaniel #RichardMcKeown https://www.instagram.com/p/B43KHQVDxFM/?igshid=dz4k6bc0f8mx

[theholycityofmecca]

The story of Yarrow Mamout (Muhammad Yaro) has been consuming my mind lately. A Muslim from the Fulani (Fula) tribe in West Africa who was forced into slavery. He spoke 2 languages and could read and write in 3. As a World History teacher I discovered a large portion of slaves were Muslim but this is the one of the only ones they documented. Because he was able to keep is name, language, and spirituality they never successfully made him into a "negro". After 44 years of slavery and being robbed twice of all his fortune he became a business owner, real estate investor and died a man of great respect/dignity. A white man once told me slavery was good for "black people", it gave us civilization. In the school curriculum they always make us start off with The Roman Empire. We're never taught that Africa flourished during the Middle Ages while Europe was in it's Dark Ages. The Moors controlled Europe. Timbuktu University was the Ivy League of West Africa. The Trans-Saharan trade route controlled all the riches and made Mansa Musa the richest human being in recorded human history til this day!! We are a people with severe amnesia and have never been allowed to fully recover from 400 plus years of slavery and oppression. Transformed into a new people with English names and language. Our current reality would be completely different if we all knew who we really were. You all yearn for it, that's why everyone is taking DNA tests. Yarrow Mamout is one of our real forefathers not those powdered wig wearing slave masters. And he's only 1 of the millions they never properly gave respect to. That little respect they did give only came because he was dignified, never losing his true identity (his name, culture, and religion/spirituality)! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs-26p4FBRN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1trbixc7ec60x

[politicoscope]

Adama Barrow Biography and Profile

New Post has been published on https://www.politicoscope.com/adama-barrow-biography-and-profile/

Adama Barrow Biography and Profile

Adama Barrow, businessman and a successful property developer who owns an estate agency, never held public office, has defied the odds to score a shock victory in The Gambia’s elections. Although he became treasurer of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) party in 2013, Mr Barrow was not a household name in The Gambia. He was described as “little-known” even by one of the local media outlets supporting him. In an interview with a local media, Mai Ceesay, a former female UDP youth leader, describes Mr Barrow as industrious and humble, calling him the perfect candidate:

“He is humble, kind and industrious man who breaks the deal. He is down to the earth,” she said.

He was previously employed at The Gambia’s largest property rental firm. A former economic migrant, he lived in Britain – The Gambia’s former colonial ruler – for three and a half years in the early 2000s. His time in the UK saw him work as a security guard in a North London branch of the catalogue retailer Argos, where he developed a love for the English football team, Arsenal.

Mr Barrow’s opponent Yahya Jammeh, has ruled the country for more than two decades, but said if God willed it, his presidency could go on for “a billion years”. Adama Barrow victory in Gambia’s presidential eelction was arguably an even bigger shock than that of fellow property mogul in the US, Donald Trump.

Throughout his campaign, Barrow pledged support for an independent judiciary, as well as increased freedom for the media and civil society. He described his opponent as a “soulless dictator” and promised to undo some of Mr Jammeh’s more controversial moves.

“We will take the country back to the Commonwealth and the International Criminal Court (ICC),” he said.

Who is Adama Barrow?

Adama Barrow, born 16 February 1965 to an ethnic Fula family from rural eastern Gambia, Barrow earned a scholarship to attend high school in Banjul in 1985. In the early 2000s, he lived in the UK for several years, where he reportedly worked as a security guard at the Argos catalogue store in north London, while studying for his real estate qualifications.

British media have even reported that while guarding the shop on Holloway Road, he made a citizen’s arrest on a shoplifter, which resulted in a six-month jail term. It was also during that period that Mr Barrow chose to support Arsenal FC, at that time his local club.

After several years in the United Kingdom, he returned to Gambia in 2006 and started his own property company. A longtime member of the opposition United Democratic Party, Barrow ran unsuccessfully for National Assembly in 2007 and became the party’s treasurer in 2013.

But his ascension to party leader was mostly incidental: In July 2016, the UDP’s leader, Ousainou Darboe, was sentenced to three years in prison for organizing a protest, leaving the party without a standard-bearer months before the presidential election.

Barrow never threw his hat in the ring to replace Darboe, and he reportedly only discovered that he had been nominated when he saw his name on the ballot. “No drama Adama,” as he came to be known, seemed in many ways like the polar opposite of the egomaniac he unseated. He was especially popular among young voters who have been badly hit by the country’s struggling economy.

His victory, and his triumphant return to the country on Jan. 26, was hailed as a new beginning for Gambia. But the task before him was immense: Jammeh had left the country broke, divided, and internationally isolated. Nearly a year into his presidency, Barrow has begun to make progress. Over the course of 2017, he freed hundreds of political prisoners and canceled his predecessor’s plan to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. He has also mended relations with the International Monetary Fund, the European Union, and the British Commonwealth. In February, Brussels committed to unfreezing $36 million in aid funding.

A devout Muslim, he also criticised the lack of a two-term limit on the presidency and condemned the jailing of political opposition figures. Speaking to the BBC three days before the election, Mr Barrow said that Gambians “had been suffering for 22 years” and were ready for change. He scorned the achievements of his opponent, who boasted of having brought The Gambia out of the stone age with his education and health programmes. The hospitals President Jammeh had built had “no drugs… or quality doctors”, the schools “no teachers, no chairs… no good educational materials”, he said.

They were “white elephant projects”.

Adama Barrow, who promised on the campaign trail to introduce presidential term limits, has established a commission to draft a new constitution. He is also working to revitalize the ineffective and corrupt civil service by raising salaries and decentralizing power. Under Jammeh, “key decisions were all decided at the presidency,” says Alex Vines, the head of Chatham House’s Africa program, so devolving decision-making authority to the executive agencies represents a “completely new departure.”

Such reforms are bound to take time, and already the slow pace of change has caused disappointment in some quarters. Frequent power outages and water shortages around the country have led to demonstrations, and there are worrying signs — such as the government’s decision to deploy police and military units to deter protests in November — that Barrow’s Interior Ministry is falling back on its iron-fisted habits for dealing with them. Such fears have been heightened by the fact that many Jammeh loyalists remain ensconced in the bureaucracy.

“Patience has been forthcoming, but … a dilapidated infrastructure, and the continued employment of many former Jammeh associates, is undermining the atmosphere,” says Amadou Scattred Janneh, a former minister of information jailed under the Jammeh regime.

To reassure voters, Barrow must make concrete improvements, and fast, says Abdoulaye Saine, a professor of international and comparative politics at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. To this end, Saine says, the “ongoing trial of nine former National Intelligence Agency personnel, including its chief, bode[s] well.”

Indeed, despite the frustrations, Barrow has already delivered democratic freedoms that were unthinkable less than a year ago. “Before, most of these values of freedom and human rights, we dreamed about them,” says Gambian journalist and blogger Sanna Camara. “But now we are living that dream in this new Gambia.”

Adama Barrow Quick Facts

Member of the Fula ethnic group, born in 1965, the year of Gambian independence

Reportedly worked as a security guard at Argos in the early 2000s while studying in UK

Returned home in 2006 to set up property business

Supports English Premier League football team Arsenal

Nominated as the candidate for coalition of seven opposition parties, promising greater respect for human rights

A devout Muslim who is reportedly married with two wives and five children

Mr Barrow missed his son’s funeral as he was advised to remain in Senegal for his safety ahead of his inauguration – held in his country’s embassy in Dakar, Senegal, on 19 January

Family A husband to two wives and father of five until 15 January 2017, Adama Barrow eight-year-old son Habibu Barrow died reportedly after being bitten by a dog. Barrow is known to be a devout Muslim and a self-confessed workaholic.

“If you are a religious man it always influences you,” Adama Barrow said.

Adama Barrow Biography and Profile

[useless-nigeriafacts]

Two Women in Nigerian History

I've been thinking about making a post about my two favorite women in Naija history so here it is!

Nana Asma’u bint Shehu Usman dan Fodiyo  (1793 – 1864)

Having witnessed the Fulani Jihad (1804-1810) in which her father conquered Nigeria and Cameroon, she wrote down her feelings about the Jihad and what happened in her journal.  Asma’u also left a large amount of poetry which is composed of historical narratives, elegies, laments, and admonition, which was utilized to teach men and women the system of the caliphate.

Asma’u was also influential in the education of womendé. In 1830, she created a collection of female academics who jaunted within the caliphate, educating women.  A becoming representative of the new state, these female scholars, or jajis, used the literature of Asma’u and other Sufi scholars to lead women from all areas, including lower class and rural areas. This scholarly project began to combine the pagan divisions of the recently conquered empire with the existing Muslim state and culture.

facts

She was well versed in Taqmech, Fula, Hausa and Arabic

She was the daughter of Usman Dan Fodio, the founder of the Soko Caliphate.

Funmilayo Ransome Kuti  (1900–1978)

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was born in Abeokuta, in what is now know as Ogun State, Nigeria. She was one of the first women to got Abeokuta Grammar School, she would eventually become a teacher for that school

In 1919 she switched to Wincham Hall School for Girls, Cheshire, England, to continue her studies. In England, she had adopted a Christian name, Francis Abigail but due to a large amount of racism she had encountered in England, she decided to drop that name when she returned to Nigeria in 1922.

Soon after she created one of the most importation anti-colonial educational movements in Nigeria and West Africa and fought hard to increase education and political representation for women. 

facts

She was the first woman in Nigeria to become a licensed driver

At Wincham, she studied French, domestic sciences, education and music

She was a traditional aristocrat 

[xlel-soen]

LITAJA: THE LANGUAGE OF THE XLEL & lYKOSHA

The word "Litaja" means "tongue;" as in English tongue, and is the native language of a race of people who called themselves "xlel" (which means people, as in "human race"). The language has one particular characteristic, which is that every word-ending will tell you what kind of word it is.

An animal word (horse, bird, fish, etc.) ends in "l", a word having to do with numbers, including words like "unity," ends in "h." All verbs end in "k," all adjectives end in "nem" or "m," and all adverbs end in either "teo" or "o".

Also: except for specific words which refer to a person of the masculine gender, or a person of the feminine gender, all Litaja nouns are nongender-specific. There is no such thing as a guardsman, or guardswoman: both are wahtar which means "guard." Even the word teymar, which means "sir" or "madam," actually means "respected one," and refers to either a man or woman, adult or child

The language can be used by anyone who wishes to speak it; it requires no special knowledge or body-parts, nor is t especially difficult to write, using English phonemes, or read. There is a fairly large dictionary/thesaurus.

I will write everything out in English phonemes, giving you a part of that dictionary, with verb conjugation and simple sentence structure. I am not really a teacher; I will only do my best.

The actual writing is runic (like Nordic or Celtic languages are; there are 44 symbols (called jerunas [jeh-rooh-nahs] or pho- nemes/"letters") in Litaja, (which are phonetic, meaning that each symbol has its own sound. Further information (for those who are seriously masochistic) provided upon request.

Sepcial words: Because Litaja was originally the language of an alien race, there are words which have no true significance to people of Earth. For example: the xlel use psionic power as people of Earth use prayer or magic spells, to effect change (to heal, to divine the truth, etc.).

In addition, their word for "god" is a bit different. The word "sha" actually refers to the totality of all spirits, all power, etc., and this "god" does not interfer in the affairs of people. The Xlel believe that, instead, "god" saw to it that people had the intelligence and power to make things happen, if they were willing to pay a price for it.

So those things which are associated with sacred and holy concepts are those where the person connected with them is specially in tune with his or her inner self (that part of himself that "touches" Sha especially well). Power is every- where, and it only requires talent and training to make it work.

Therefore, How Litaja should sound: There are very few hard consonants in this language (k, ch, t, g), but otherwise, you can almost chant their speech, much like the old Norse tongues or even Welsh (especially with its nearly impossible pronunciations at times).

Pronunciation: Unless a different syllable is underlined, the accent goes on the second-to-last syllable (use a as in "cap"/ah as in "father"/ay as in "race"/eh as in "set"/ee as "see"/er as in "father"/ih as in "it"/ai as in "ice"/o as in "on"/oh as in "no"/ooh as in "move"/oo as in "look"/oy as in "toy"/uh as in "ugly"/yoo as in "music").

What follows is a brief glossary of words, complete with pronunciation instructions:

Time (Refer to As Time Goes By)

calendar: pergeras [pehr-gehr-ahs] (lit. "the days") (water) clock: bjalla [b'jahl-lah] year: zeera [zee-rah] month: gelba [gehl-bah] week: vafa [vah-fah] day: gera [gehr-rah] hour: zelua [zeeh-loo-ah] minute: zefa [zeh-fah] "moment": zoda [zoh-dah] second: zida [zai-dah] *now: jyte [j(uh)-yih-teeh] (at this moment) Seasons & Time of Day: winter: kolothe [koh-lah-the] summer: komenthe [koh-men-the] spring: lorevale [loh-reh-vah-leh] fall: simame [sihm-ahm-meh] dawn: kwacha [kwah-chah] day: joura [jow-oorah] evening: abanda [ah-ban-dah] midnight: oulma [owl-mah or ool-mah] generation: nomrat [nohm-raht] (16 years) past, the: vithbla [vith-blah] present, the: kidarsa [kih-dahr-sah] future, the: kzuna [kuh-zoohna] Common words: (You) be (the one who's) careful: everjogher (ste) [eh-vehr-joh-gher] "Hi": huja [hoo-jah] (I'll) see you: Tey(tav) vaar(ik) (stal) [Tay(tahv) vahr(rihk) (stahl)] Hello/Greetings: Hujatins [hooh-jah-tinz] Good-bye: see "hello" Hey!: heej! [heezh] Stay!: Pazik (ste)! [pah-zihk (steh)] Yes: lan [lahn] No: tro [troh] what: eknap? [ehk-nahp] (huh?) Who?: kestap [kehs-tahp] Here (I am!): hiteo [hih-teh-oh] When?: hwango [huh-wan-goh] Do You Know?: Witak (ste)? [wih-tah (steh)] please: plahj [plahzh] thank you: levarezh/esbahik/charak (sta) [leh-vahr-ezh/ehs-bah-hihk/chahr-rahk (stah)] Excuse (me): Ugrehk (sta) (I regret) [ooh-grehk (stah)] (Your) welcome: (formal) Morak (sta) [moh-rahk (stah)] Your welcome: charak (ste) ("de nada") [chahr-rahk (steh)] To explain: Levarezh is a formal term-it means: (you've) relieved (me - of obligation, mostly). Esbahik (sta) means "(I'm) astonished" and Charak (sta) means "(I'm) delighted." Morak (sta) means: "I demure" or "Twas nothing," whereas Charak (ste) basically means says: (oh no!) it is you who has delighted me!") I, me: mintav [mihn-tahv] you(singular): antav [ahn-tahv] (idiomatic: teytav [tay-tahv]) he/she: ditav/sitav [dih-tahv/sih-tahv] it: fotav [foh-tahv] he/she (both): woditav [woh-dih-tahv] we: sertav [sehr-tahv] they: tertav [tehr-tahv] you (plural): yaltav [yawl-tahv] left-hand: xifodasta [ksai-foh-dahs-tah] (swordhand) right-hand: yexadasta [yehks-ah-das-tah] (daggerhand) Geography/Weather: cliff: ukliva [ook-lih-vah] continent: lezona [leh-zoh-nah] desert: lerana [leh-rah-nah] forest: vana [vah-nah] hill: loma [loh-mah] island: eya [eeh-yah] ice: ngla [(i)ng-lah] lake: thelassa [theh-lays-sah] lightning: (los)nazala [lohs-nah-zah-lah] cloud fire marsh: howusa [how-wooh-sah] meadowland: ngesta [(i)ngeh-stah] moor(land): shida [shai-dah] mountains: hotas [hoh-tas] planet: shofa [shoh-fah] pond: tjorna [t(uh)-zhor-nah] prairie: jludita [j(uh)-looh-dih-tah] river: rithea [rai-thee-ah] sea water: halsa [hahl-sah] star: sidra [sih-drah] sun: zona [zoh-nah] timber: wida [wai-dah] valley: hofa [hoh-fah] wind: winsa [wihn-sah] world: ylda [yil-dah] Parts of the body: arm: etara [eeh-tahr-rah] brain: ditha [dih-thah] ear: aelifna [ah-ehl-lihf-nah] eye: avaga [ay-vah-gah] back(side): baeka [bah-eeh-kah] face: gesika [gee-see-kah] fang: vanga [vang-gah] finger/digit: vinnea [vih-nee-ah] foot: busa [booh-sah] hair: ergra [ehr-grah] hand/paw: dasta [dah-stah] head: kepha [kehp-hah] mouth: arpara [ahr-pah-rah] (jaw) nose: fuma [fooh-mah] skin: ila [ai-lah] tail: ngofra [(i)ngoh-frah] tooth: danta [dahn-tah] Clothing/Toiletries: belt: balza [bahl-zah] boot: babusa [bah-booh-sah] brush: xroza [ks'roh-zah] cloak: aesa [ah-ee-sah] comb: okara [oh-kah-rah] glove: badasta [bah-dahs-tah] pants: xehra [kseh-rah] slippers: erasas [ehr-rah-sas] tabard: baxhemda [baks-hehm-dah] tunic: xhemda [kshem-dah] (Inside the) House: bed: beta [bee-tah] blanket: kensa [kehn-sah] box/chest: kampsa [kamp-sah] cup/mug: epana [eeh-pay-nah] dish: fanxa [fanks-sah] door: dara [dahr-rah] floor: llawra [luh-lahw-rah] pillow: fula [f'yoo-lah] privy: oraypa [oh-ray-pah] wall: odava [oh-day-vah] Other Things: book: lboha [l'boh-hah] paper: thipza [thihp-zah] quill: erpa [ehr-pah] (pen) ship: shabba [shahb-bah] People & trade: stranger: jefir [jeh-fihr] non-person: see stranger & also lalasa [lah-lah-sah] (someone not of the "people") dragon: kidikal [kih-dih-kahl] monster: zamil [zah-mihl] friend (but outsider): aiter [ah-ih-teer] government: walta [wahl-tah] city: erkaiha (clanhold) [ehr-kah-ai-hah] ally: akilar (of another clan) [ay-kih-lahr] village: wika [wih-kah] guest rights: zenat [zeh-naht] (hospitality) money: araiga [ahr-ai-gah] (coins) market: fora [fohr-rah] Sir/Madam: teymar (respected one; from teyma: respect) lord/lady (sir/madam): sargonr [sahr-g(o)n-ner] (As a title: Sar [Name]) Measurements: "foot": gerda [ger-dah] (14") "meter": kuvit [kooh-viht] (42") Common Phrases: How much?: Eknap loga? [ehk-nap loh-gah] (What price?) I don't understand you: Tro seynikk sta [troh see-yih-nikk stah] (It's) mine: mintay [mihn-tay] (It's) yours: antay [ahn-tay] I like that: thrik (sti) [thrihk (stih)] (It pleases me) What is your name: Eknap sti zhomek? [ehk-nap stih zhoh-mehk] Stop!: Pazik (ste)! [pah-zihk (steh)] Dammit, stop!!: Deej! [deezh!] Get out! (Go away!): Farak! [fah-rahk] Speak! (Say something): Fanak (ste) [fah-nahk (steh)] (Pay) Attention!: Kimha! [kihm-hah!] (My) god!: Sha-sa (more as in: wow) [sha-sah] 'Tis false (no way!): fakorr (ste)! [fah-koor (steh)] My apologies: Groatose ("Sorry!") [groh-ah-toh-seh] And some all-important words: nejur: psionic "priest" [neh-joor] (who has trained to use his or psychic power) kedar: priest/cleric of Sha/God [keh-dahr] (who lives to serve people with less talent) kuymal: greatwolf (dire wolf-sized) [kuh-yai-mahl] lowell: coyote/little wolf [loh-wehll] kolunel: dog/wolf (usu. "dog") [koh-looh-nehl] likosal: canine species (generic) [lih-koh-sahl] jedir: puppy/youth/child [jee-dihr] "little one" A short sample of insults: false-seer: fakorr [fah-kohr] brawler: thatchir [that-chihr] liar: italser [ih-tahl-ser] thief: lunatir [looh-nah-tihr] (one who is) garbage: tanter gef daag [tahn-ter gehf daahg] coward: isgarenem [ihs-gah-reh-nem] brainless: so-dihthar [soh dih-thahr] dandy/fop: osukar [oh-sooh-kahr] smelly: smula [smooh-lah] cheater: thanter [thahn-tahr] waster: sielwar [sih-ehl-wahr] (major insult!) dishonored one: chijer [chih-jer] unclean (one): punate(r) [pooh-nah-teh(r)] misfit: chepar [cheh-pahr] demon: degar [dee-gahr] (who causes dishonor) "cat": jypil [juh-yai-pahl] god-rejected: tanter gef sha [tahn-ter gehf shah] (It) does not please: sothrik (stih) [soh-thrihk (stih)] (I don't like that) A short sampling of weaponry: spear: lonka [lohn-kah] or shinka [shihn-kah] shortsword: kowtila [kowh-tih-lah] blade (any): yexa [yeh-ksah] axe (any): iglina [ihg-lih-nah] sword/longsword: xifosa [ksai-foh-sah] sling: klinga [klihn-gah] bow/longbow: arwa [ahr-wah] (sling)bullets: koxa [koh-ksah] arrow/dart: saijkda [saihjk-dah] net/snare: zhosri [zhos-rih] armor (any): zhumne [zhoom-neh] rope/lariat: esuga [eh-soo-gah] sickle/scythe: elba [ehl-bah] weapons (general): xhopa [ksai-hoh-pah] mind-sword: shaymora [shay-moh-rah] boomerang: zhyma [zhai-mah] fang(s): vanga(s) [van-ga(s)] claw(s): yexdasta(s) [yehks-dahs-tahs] (hand-knives) (always plural) daggarclaw: yexdasta-yexa [yehks-dah-stah-yeksah] (claw-blade) Numbers one: veh [veh] six: vifsah [vihf-sah] two: kah [kah] seven: hesah [heh-sah] three: eltuh [ehl-tuh] eight: dokah [doh-kah] four: relah [reh-lah] nine: gih [gih] five: jafah [jah-fah] ten: dakalah [dah-kah-lah] DOG COMMANDS (Verb infinitives end in "k") Lan: good (dog) [lahn] ("yes") Tro: no (bad dog) [troh] venir: come (here) [veh-nihr] (from venirik) kotak: "place" [koh-tahk] kuvik: kill, slay [kooh-vihk] usek: heel [ooh-sehk] (follow me) jakkak: fetch [jahk-kahk] (hunt) shemek: shut up! [shehm-mehk] welek: (go for a) walk [weh-lehk] ruhik: lie down [rooh-hihk] osorik: drop (it) [oh-sohr-rihk] beta: bed [bee-tah] beita: food [bee-aih-tah] (or ogesfa/oh-gees-fah) odytok: (go in) enter [ow-dyuh-tohk] pitas: bones, biscuits [pih-tas] odose: O.K.! ("good") [oh-dos-seh, from odosen, goodness] Sti kakk: Want that? [stih kahkk] trohek: "show me" (what you want) [troh-hehk] chulla(k): roll over [chooh-lah(k)] risak: stand (up) [rai-sahk] erfleha: (play) ball [ehr-flee-hah] seder: sit (down) [seh-der, from sederikk, to sit] rangeh: wrong! (uh-uh!) [ran-gheh] frappik: attack!!! [frap-pihk!] pazir: stay (steady) [pah-zihr, from pazirik, to stay still] fanak: Speak (bark)! [fah-nak] farak: (go) outside [fahr-ahk] Food/Drink: drink (generic): ada [ah-dah] food (generic): beita [bee-aih-tah] bread: arana [ayr-rah-nah] butter: erima [er-rai-mah] buttermilk: ahna [ahn-nah] carrot: asola [ay-soh-lah] egg(s): shersa(s) [sher-sa(s)] ice: ngla [(i)ng-lah] meat: ogesfa (animal flesh) [oh-gees-fah] milk: alba [ayl-bah] "cheese": ailbeita [ayl-bee-aih-tah] nut(s): zhixa(s) [zhihk-sa(s)] grain(s): erkia [ehr-kih-ah] salt: sara [sah-rah] tea: ronada [roh-nah-dah] water: thunda [thoohn-dah] Muscial instruments (etc): Wind chimes: (Ceramic) erfora [er-foh-rah] Wind chimes: (Metal) erloga [er-loh-gah] Wind chimes: (Wood) erwila [er-wai-lah] harpsicord: jabekua [jah-beeh-koo-ah] Flute: lawana [lah-wah-nah] oboe: ubeka [ooh-bee-kah] zither: jithara [jih-thahr-rah] lyre: ngerla [(i)ng-ehr-lah] harp: shumbeka [shoom-bee-kah] "cube" player: ngimba [(i)ngihm-bah] (quartz) cube: thamba [tham-bah] (See Psionics) music (all): abina [ah-bih-nah] symphony: elsura [ehl-soo-rah] singer/chanter: aedir [ah-ee-dihr] choir: kaypalla [kay-pahl-lah] musician: waitar [wah-ih-tahr] one who has good hearing: alfir [ahl-fihr] silver-tongued: aular [ay-yoo-lahr] Cycles/Sexual Terms Please note: As do wolves, the Xlel experience a sprimg breeding cycle. The turning of the seasons is an important part of these peoples' life, as it would be with any race. And yet: no sexually explicit word will ever be used as an insult, except perhaps the immortal phrase uttered in a defunct television show about another alien race ("Your mother mates out of season"). And, since such things are important among the Xlel, some "sexual" words (etc.) follow below: desire/lust: lubyata [loob-yah-tah] spring cycle: reoke [reh-oh-keh] breeder: ruasir [roo-ah-sir] (from ruasek: to breed: male or female) Nongendered nonbreeder: soruas(nem or nir) [soh-roo-ahs-(nehm/nihr)] "Hermaphroditic" nonbreeder (gender): ilasar [ih-lah-sahr] heterosexual: sosam(nem or nir) or see "breeder" [soh-sam-nihr] homosexual: koxsamnir/samnir [koks-sam-nihr/sam-nihr] bi/pan-sexual: iendar [ai-ehn-dahr] Hermaphrodite: siwosa (essentially: both) [sih-woh-sah] female (gender): wosa [woh-sah] "sheathing": minbayexa [mihn-bah-yeh-ksah] to sheathe: (Polite) bayexak [bah-yeh-zahk] "blade": minyexa [mihn-yeh-ksah] male (gender): siwoa [sih-woh-ah] childhood (age): tyife [tuh-yih-feh] adolescence: tylerife [t'yai-leh-rih-feh] adulthood (age): tyhinfe [t'yai-hihn-feh] noncopulatory sex (fore/after-play): frigkak [frihg-kahkk] male "husband" neela [nee-lah] lesbian "wife:" nina [nai-nah] (Note: these are not marriages, but among samnir, is recognized as a relationship and legal). FAMILY AND CLAN-ORIENTED TERMS: Xlel group together in clans (the natural extension of a wolfpack, actually). All clans are patrilinear and patrilocal, so that each term refers to which side/family they come from, as well as their importance as far as (clan) alliances ar concerned. Group terms (those words that relate to more than one part of the clan) are astericked (refer to the bottom of this page) Legend: f=father, m=mother, s=son, d=daughter, br=brother, si=sister, h=husband, w=wife, ff - dhama/[duh-hah-mah] "grandfather"/paternal mf - desa/[deh-sah] "grandfather"/maternal fm - boshka/[bohsh-kah] "grandmother"/paternal mm - fwesa/[f'weh-sah] "grandmother"/maternal fbr - dhema/[duh-hee-mah] "uncle"/paternal mbr - dava/[day-vah] "uncle"/maternal fbrw - nana/[nay-nah] "aunt"/paternal mbrw - noka/[noh-kah] "aunt"/maternal f - dawoa/[dah-woh-ah] "father" m - woda/[woh-dah] "mother" h - nila/[nai-lah]"husband" w - neena/[nee-nah] "wife" br - knafa/[k-nah-fah] "brother" si - disisa/[dih-sih-sah] "sister" sih - fusa*/[fooh-sah] "brother-in-law" fbrs - dalta"(1st) cousin"/paternal mbrs - naga/[nah-gah] "(1st) cousin"/maternal fbrd - fela*/[fee-lah] "cousin" off - eide(r)/[ee-ih-de(r)] "offspring/child" s - choda/[choh-dah] "son" d - chepana/[cheh-pay-nah] "daughter" brs - chosa/[choh-sah] "nephew" brd - fela*/[fee-lah] "niece" dh - fusa*/[fooh-sah] "son-in-law" sw - pena/[pee-nah] "daughter-in-law" ss - mihda/[mih-dah] "grandson"/paternal ds - nofa*/[noh-fah] "grandson"/maternal sd - mihla/[mih-lah] "grandaughter"/paternal dd - nofa*/[noh-fah] "grandaughter"/maternal +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NON-RELATED AFFILIATES: "aunt"/paternal: fsi - fela* [fee-lah] "aunt"/maternal: msi - fela* [fee-lah] "uncle"/material: fsih - fusa* [foo-sah], & msih - fylja [f'yil-jah] "cousin"/maternal: includes fsis - nofa* [noh-fah], msis - fonsa* [fohn-sah], fsid - nofa* [noh-fah], msid - fonsa* [fohn-sah] "niece"/maternal: sid - nofa* [noh-fah] "nephew"/maternal: sis - nofa* [noh-fah] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FAMILY AND CLAN-ORIENTED TERMS: Remember that all clans are patrilinear and patrilocal, so that each term refers to which side/family they come from, as well as their importance as far as (clan) alliances ar concerned. Group terms (those words that relate to more than one part of the clan) are astericked (refer to the bottom of this page) Legend: f=father, m=mother, s=son, d=daughter, br=brother, si=sister, h=husband, w=wife, ff - dhama/[duh-hah-mah] "grandfather"/paternal mf - desa/[deh-sah] "grandfather"/maternal fm - boshka/[bohsh-kah] "grandmother"/paternal mm - fwesa/[f'weh-sah] "grandmother"/maternal fbr - dhema/[duh-hee-mah] "uncle"/paternal mbr - dava/[day-vah] "uncle"/maternal fbrw - nana/[nay-nah] "aunt"/paternal mbrw - noka/[noh-kah] "aunt"/maternal f - dawoa/[dah-woh-ah] "father" m - woda/[woh-dah] "mother" h - nila/[nai-lah]"husband" w - neena/[nee-nah] "wife" br - knafa/[k-nah-fah] "brother" si - disisa/[dih-sih-sah] "sister" sih - fusa*/[fooh-sah] "brother-in-law" fbrs - dalta"(1st) cousin"/paternal mbrs - naga/[nah-gah] "(1st) cousin"/maternal fbrd - fela*/[fee-lah] "cousin" off - eide(r)/[ee-ih-de(r)] "offspring/child" s - choda/[choh-dah] "son" d - chepana/[cheh-pay-nah] "daughter" brs - chosa/[choh-sah] "nephew" brd - fela*/[fee-lah] "niece" dh - fusa*/[fooh-sah] "son-in-law" sw - pena/[pee-nah] "daughter-in-law" ss - mihda/[mih-dah] "grandson"/paternal ds - nofa*/[noh-fah] "grandson"/maternal sd - mihla/[mih-lah] "grandaughter"/paternal dd - nofa*/[noh-fah] "grandaughter"/maternal +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NON-RELATED AFFILIATES: "aunt"/paternal: fsi - fela* [fee-lah] "aunt"/maternal: msi - fela* [fee-lah] "uncle"/material: fsih - fusa* [foo-sah], & msih - fylja [f'yil-jah] "cousin"/maternal: includes fsis - nofa* [noh-fah], msis - fonsa* [fohn-sah], fsid - nofa* [noh-fah], msid - fonsa* [fohn-sah] "niece"/maternal: sid - nofa* [noh-fah] "nephew"/maternal: sis - nofa* [noh-fah] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ GROUP TERMS: Fonsa: children-cousins of non-clanmembers (mother's clan) Fela: any former (or female) clanmember (except daughter) Fusa: any male who marries a former (or female) clanmember Nofa: any offspring of a former (or female) clanmember Chyana: (Nuclear) family member [ch'yah-nah] Merla: (any) clan member [mer-lah] WHITHER COMES THE NAMES THEY GAVE THEE? Proper names come from many things: the names of plants (lobea/loh-bee-ah> rose, jlana/j'lah- nah> daisy), animals & birds (shangral/shan-grahl> eagle, kopiral/koh-pih-rahl> greyfox, shalal/shay- lahl> weasel), the elements & nature (lee/leeh> wind, kzala/k'zah-lah> fire, mara/mah-rah> sea, sidra/sih- drah> star), seasons (kolothe/koh-law-theh> winter, komenthe/koh-men-theh> summer), qualities both desirable and not-so-desirable (like sarvan/sahr-vahn> stubborn, evade/ee-vah-deh> beautifullyblossoming, sadhe/sah-deh> simple, pure), and especially colors (ghura/ghrr-rah> ravenblack, abletta/ah-bleht-tah> white, mare/mahr-reh> dark or twilight, ragila/rah-gih-lah> silver-colored), etc. You will actually find many animal names here, as many other languages do, as well as plants, etc. Names are all highly symbolic and (usually) appropriate to its possessor. Some names have -- in due course of time -- been altered to become other names. Examples: Kahn, meaning strength, can become Kang. Koraxal, meaning raven, also can be Korax (usually this is due to varying dialects in different areas, and other planets). Other alterations occur in the merging of two (sometimes three or more) words to become one name. One example: Shadakk comes from sha (meaning god) and dokah (which is the number 8. Eight is a sacred number to them, for it is the four elements and the four seasons entwined). Another example: Pohmir comes from pohkene (meaning dark or lightlessness) and lianmir (which means grey or silver-tipped, as in fur). Always, when names are made this way, they are ALL highly symbolic and appropriate to the possessor. In native Xlel culture, an adult will have a total of five names in his or her lifetime. The first name is given at birth by his or her mother --- indictative of her first impressions, or her wishes for his future; the second name is given by the youth's father at eight years old --- also indicating his impressions, or the child's deeds by that age; the third name is given to the adolescent, by the clan's leader, upon hitting puberty (usually at fourteen or fifteen years of age) --- this gives the clanleader's impressions of the young adult, and is often the "use" or profession's name (a name known by all, sometimes instead of the birth or 1st name). The fourth name is a secret, spiritual name and is said to be given by their nameless, uncaring god called Sha in visions or dreams (in fact, this is one of the most important days of their lives, where they will go off by themselves, into a locked room or out in the wilds, to find this name. And finally, there is the clan name, which they are given provisionally at birth, and earn the right to bear at the age of eight (after they pass a survival test & physical/psychic examination), as well as the right to wear the clanpin thereafter. Among these people, the first name is one's "use" name (the one "used" by all); the second is known among friends and other intimates and the third name is used in ceremonies and rituals, and some artists, writers and musicians often use this last name on their compositions. Often, parts of 2 or more names can be combined to make one (these names are usually reserved for highly- ranked & psionically powerful individuals). In this culture, parents are quite fond of playing "tricks" with words, especially in naming their most powerful and talented people. So alliterations of words sacred or otherwise important to the way of life are also used, usually for highly-ranked or special people (like vangar [fanged one] or aular [silver-tongued] as a kenning for wolf or dog, for example). A short glossary of names common to this language follows at the end of this chapter. In addition: one might also look through all the other chapters and find appropriate words there [NOTE: Almost any name might also have an "r" or "gher" added to it (or it can be removed if here). This means (for "r") one who is and (for "gher") one who does.] Aarda> rock/stone [ah-ahr-dah] Abir> swimmer [ah-bihr] Abletta> white [ah-bleht-tah] Aemosa> gale/windstorm [ay-ee-moh-sah] Ager> active one [ah-ger] Ahual> gazelle/deer [ah-hoo-ahl] Akuiner> wise one [ay-kwih-ner] Alfir> one w/good hearing [ahl-feehr] Aular> silver-tongued [ay-yoo-lahr] Baidar> brave one [bah-ai-dahr] Balusur> delayer [bah-looh-soor] Batakhe> precious [bah-tak-hee] Bifskar> strong-willed [bihf-skahr] Chroger> proud one [chroh-gehr or khroh-gher] Chuma> smoke, fog [choo-mah] Dabar> follower [dah-bahr] Dantar> toothed one [dahn-tahr] Diamar> thinker, careful one [dih-ah-mahr] Donir> honored one [doh-neehr] Dutgente> steadfast, durable [doot-jehnt-teh] Ealine> determined [eh-ah-lih-neh] Eidirner> little one(undersized) [eh-ih-dihr-ner] Elaer> stalwart one, strong one [ee-lah-(h)ehr] Elahal> elk [ee-lah-hal] Enivir> achiever [eh-nih-veehr] Esbahir> astonishing one [es-bah-heehr] Eschir> player [ees-chah-ir, as in higher] Eskuer> one who escapes [ehs-koo-ehr] Everjor> cautious, wary one [eh-ver-johr] Eyrlea> elf [ee-yeer-le-ah] Eryr> (one) who soars [eer-ee-ir] Finehdin> immoveable [fihn-neh-dihn] Fliba> southeast wind [flih-bah] Gallin> splendid, bright [gahl-lihn] Gensar> flexible, pliant one [gehn-sahr] Ghura> black, ravenblack [ghur-rah] Gurde> intelligent, knowing [gur-deh, as grrr] Heynir> creative one [heh-y(ih)-nir, as in higher] Hoska> reflection, shadow [hohs-kah] Hota(s)> mountain(s) [hoh-ta(s)] Hreysar> one who hides [h'ray-sahr] Humar> wise one [hooh-mahr] Hundater> gatherer, hunter [hoohn-dah-tehr] Ikemshe> strong-minded [ih-kehm-shee] Jabril> stork/ibis [jah-brihl] Jedir> "little one" [jee-dihr] (puppy) Jestre> unyielding [jehs-treh] Jkise> small [j'kais(eh)] Jlana> daisy-like flower [j'lah-nah] Juhner> giant one [jooh-nehr] Juyegher> killer [joo-yeh-ghehr] Kahletaar> phoenix [kah-lee-taahr] Kahn> strong man [kahn] Kanus> mousegrey, grey (a rare name) [kah-noos] Kathless>transparency, clarity [kath-lehss] Kolothe> winter [koh-lawth-(eh)] Komenthe> summer [koh-mehn-theh] Kopiral> fox [koh-pih-rahl] Kor> one w/keen eyesight [koor] Koraxal> raven [kohr-raks-sahl] Korban> of great worth [kohr-bahn] Kostille> hot-tempered [kows-tihl-leh] Krass> boulder(s) [kras(s)] Krathose> hardness, stoniness [kra-thoh-seh] Kurir> spear-fighter [koo-rir, as in rear] Kwacha> dawn [kwah-cha] Kykrin> quickness, agility [k-yai-krihn] Kyme> fit, suitable [k-yih-mee] Kyon> loyalty [k'yai-on] Lee> wind [lee] Leemara> seawind [lee-mah-rah] Lianmir> silver tipped [lih-ahn-mihr] Liatha> smokegrey [lih-ah-tha] Liyana> waterfall [lih-yahn-nah] Lobea> rose [loh-bee-ah] Lokor> looker, searcher [loh-koor] Lonka> spear/lance [lohn-kah] Lorevale> spring [lor-ree-vah-lee] Maha> moon [mah-hah] Mala> maelstorm, turmoil [mahl-lah] Mara> sea [mahr-rah] Mare> dark, twilight [mahr-ree] Myrvyn> sea-spirit [mir-rivhn] Ngeyosa> meadowspirit [(i)ng-ay-yoh-sah] Ngosa> (small) wood-spirit [(i)ng-oh-sah] Nu-i-kar> probe, scout [noo-ih-kahr] Nyejela> ivory-black [n'yeh-jehl-lah] Odinar> gentle, tame one [oh-dihn-nahr] Ogerer> defiant one [oh-geh-rehr] Ogyer> citadel [awg-yehr] Olfa>elf/old concept of Kynrrel) [ohl-fah] Olgera> elf-spear [ohl-geh-rah] Orastiner> beloved [oh-rahs-tih-nehr] Orgor> actor, performer, doer [ohr-gohr] Ornil> white eagle [ohr-nihl] Ortikoskar> shepherd, leader [ohr-tai-koh-skar] Osaskar> defender [oh-sas(s)-kahr] Oterana> fort [awt-teh-rah-nah] Otloner> lawmaker, proxy [awt-loh-nehr] Oulma> midnight [owl-mah or oohl-mah] Ovil> black-tipped white eagle [oh-vihl] Owhre> elf-wise [ow-hreh] Palar> protector [pah-lahr] Peter> repeater [pee-tehr] Piran> merit, value [pai-rahn] Pohkene> lightlessness, dark [poh-kee-nee] Raedinir> explainer [rah-ehd-dihn-nihr] Ragila> silver-coloured [rah-tihl-lah] Rhet> authority, power, right [r'heht] Riregher> one who laughes [ree-rih-ghehr] Ru> migrant (usu. prefix or suffix) [roo] Sadhe> pure, simple [sahd-heh] Saijkda> arrow, dart (stilleto) [sah-ihj-k'dah] Sargon> nobleness [sahr-gohn] Sarvan> stubborn [sahr-vahn] Selwyn> friend (clan) [sel-w'yihnn] Shala> weasel [shay-lah, or shah-lah] Shan> singleness, unity [shahn] Shangral> black & white eagle [shang-grahl] Shen> introspective [shehn] Shida> moor [shai-dah] Shinkar> spear-thruster [shihn-kahr] Simame> autumn, fall [sih-mah-mee] Skeohan> proud spirit [skee-oh-hahn] Smiljan> unfading, immortal [smihl-jahn] Strihar> striking one, hitter [strai-hahr] Tan> individual, entity [tahn] Tarl> sparrow-hawk [tahrl] Tayhan> inquisitive, curious [tay-hahn] Tengar> swift one [tehn-gahr] Tesjuval> (bald) eagle [tehs-joo-vahl] Tesmel> hawk [tehs-mehl] Teyki> guardedness [teh-keh] Thachir> scuffler [that-chihr] Theian> honour [thee-ai-ahn] Thelassa> freshwater lake [theh-lay-sah] Themar> spry one [theh-mahr] Thyre> gay, merriness [th'yai-reh] Tior> tamer [tee-ohr, rhymes with Eeyore] Toher> one who is unbreakable [toh-hehr] Torin> watchtower [tohr-rihn] Tuhan> running [too-hahn] Uela> windspirit [yoo-ee-lah] Uhola> island woods/forest [yoo-hohl-lah] Urobe> immortal, everlasting [yoo-roh-beh] Usama> palegrey, pearlgrey [ooh-sahm-mah] Vaar> one who sees [vah-ahr] Vangar> fanged one [van-gahr] Velain> swiftness, promptness [veh-lah-ihn] Verlina> enclosed sea [vehr-lih-nah] Visan> cleverness [vai-sahn] Voigher> wanderer (obs) [voy-ghehr] Voir> wanderer [voy-ir, ir as in "ear"] Vyiser> guardian [v'yih'-sir, as above] Vytir> pursuer, chaser [v'yuh-tir] Wahtar> watcher [wah-tahr] Wida> timber [wih-dah] Winsa> wind [wihn-sah] Witar> sage [wih-tahr] Wudua> wood [woo-doo-ah] Xifra> brawl, fight [ksai-frah] Xifosa> knife, sword [ksai-foh-sah] Yexa> hunting blade [yehk-sah] Yua> jewel, gemstone (yoo-ah) Zafra> cobalt blue [zah-frah] Zatir> director, guide [zah-teer] Zheke> illusion, phantom [zheh-keh] SPECIAL COMBINED NAMES & SHORT FORMS These following are special names: either combined from two (sometimes three) names to make one, or short names ("nicknames") used for first names. Generally, these sorts of names are only given to highly-ranked (for that: read high-powered) individuals, or to Kynrrel, or to those whose place in life is unique, prophetically appropriate, or if s/he will change things in an unusual or dramatic way. Agerhumar> active wise one [ah-gehr-hoo-mahr] Agernal> active man [ah-gehr-nahl] Ahualvytir> deer-chaser [ah-hoo-ahl-v-yih-teer] Chrogedantar> proud toothed one [chroh-geh-dahn-tahr] Chrogeenivir> proud achiever [chroh-geh-eh-nih-veer] Chrogegallin> bright & proud [chroh-geh-gahl-lihn] Chrogeheynir> proud creative one [chroh-geh-heh-yih-neer] Chrogekopiral> proud fox [chroh-geh-koh-pih-rahl] Chrogeornil> proud eagle [chroh-geh-ohr-nihl] Chumadanter> grey toothed one [chooh-mah-dahn-tahr] Chumagallin> bright fog [chooh-mah-gahl-lihn] Chumanal> smoky man (smoke=grey) [chooh-nah-nahl] ChumaZheke> shadowy fog [chooh-ma-zheh-keh] Donicherrin> duty (to) honour [dohn-nih-cher-rihn] Donirtheian> twofold honour [dohn-nih-thee-ai-ahn] Eidirvangar> little fanged one [eh-ih-dihr-vang-gahr] Elaerkyon> stalwart & loyal [ee-lah-her-k'yai-ohn] Enivirskeohan> achieving proudspirit [eh-nih-vihr-skee-oh-hahr] Eskverelahal> escaping elk [ehs-vehr-ee-lah-hal] Gallindantar> splendid toothed one [gahl-lihn-ee-lah-her] Gallinelaer> splendid & stalwart [gahl-lihn-ee-lah-her] Gallinornil> splendid eagle [gahl-lihn-ohr-nihl] Gallinvaar> splendid bright seer [gahl-lihn-vahr] Gar> short for "Vangar"(also spelled: gaar) [gahr] Ghuradantar> black toothed one [ghoor-rah-dahn-tahr] Humanal> wise man [hooh-mah-nahl] Jkisedantar> small toothed one [j(uh)-kais-dahn-tahr] Jkisetesmel> small hawk [j(uh)-kais-dahn-tahr] Juval> short for "Tesjuval" [jooh-vahl] Kang> strong one (from "kahn") (pron. southern dialect) [kang] Koskar> leader (from"ortikoskar") [koh-skahr] Kuin> wise one (from "akuiner") [k'yoo-ihn] Ky> (usu.) Kykrin or Kyon [kai] Kyonager> actively loyal [k(uh)-yon-ah-gehr] Letta> white (from "abletta") [leht-tah] Maramalar> sea-storm [mahr-rah-mah-lahr] Odinahual> tame deer [oh-dihn-ah-hooh-ahl] Ornilhoska> eagle's shadow [ohr-nihl-hohs-kah] Poh> short for "pohkene" [poh] Pohkenemalar> dark turmoil [poh-kee-nee-mah-lahr] Pohma> short for "pohkenemalar" [poh-mah] Pohmyrvyn> dark sea-spirit [poh-m'yir-v'yihn] Pohoikoat> dark spirit [poh-oy-koh-aht] Pohoikoatgar> dark fanged soul [poh-oy-koh-aht-vang-gahr] Sargonvangar> noble fanged one [sahr-gon-vang-gahr] Tan Ru> migrant bird [tan-rooh] (Note: this is also a kenning for "starship") Tengaornil> swift eagle [tehn-gahr-ohr-nihl] Tengarvangar> swift fanged one [tehn-gahr-van-gahr] Tes> short for "Tesmel" or "Tesjuval" [tehs] Theiandonir> honour (twofold) [thee-ai-ahn-doh-nihr] (note: see Donirtheian also) Theianvangar> noble fanged one [thee-ai-ahn-van-gahr] Themakopiral> spry fox [theh-mah-koh-pihr-rahl] Urobeuela>immortal wind(spirit) [yoo-roh-beh-yoo-ee-lah] Usamachroge> grey pride [ooh-sah-mah-chroh-geh] Usamadantar> grey toothed one [ooh-sah-mah-dahn-tahr] Usamavangar> grey fanged one [ooh-sah-mah-van-gahr] Vangadaar> fang-toothed one [van-gah-dahr] Velainelahal> swift elk [veh-lah-ihn-ee-lah-hahl] Visankopiral> clever fox [vai-sahn-koh-pihr-rahl] Voivangar> wandering fanged one [voy-van-gahr] Zatishar> god-directed one [za-tih-shahr] Zhekevangar> phantom fanged one [zheh-keh-van-gahr] Simple sentence structure: The way it goes is like this: (The) Subject-Noun [adjective] Object-Noun [adjective] verb verb-tense (plus anything which relates to the verb) For example: [Mintav] teytav zhurek sta pernem opall ghura. Strict translation: I-subject you-object gave I-do the horse black. Or: I give you the black horse. The first noun or pronoun seen will be the subject, the second is the object, and any adjectives which relate to the subject or object. After that comes the verb & verb-tense, followed by any adverbs needed, and then any noun associated with the verb (what I gave you & what it looked like). Very often, the subject is left out, because it is assumed in the verb tense (I do, you do, he/she does, we do, they do, you-all do). And sometimes, the word "the" is left out. So the sentence might really be: Teytav zhurek sta opall-ghura. This assumes you know that "sta" means "I-do" and that you know that there is no need for the word "the." In a simple question: the verb and the verb-tense come first, followed by the subject (plus adjectives) and then the object-noun. So a question might read: Stu kakk [sertav] [pernem] kolunel? Strict translation: ?we-do to-want [we] [the] dogwolf? Or: Do we want the dog? All verbs are accompanied by a verb-tense. Verb-tenses are conjugated, like so: Present tense: I do: sta you do: ste he/she/it does: sti we do: sto they do: stu you-all do: sty (pronounced "yuh") Past tense: I did: stak you did: stek he/she/it did: stik we did: stok they did: stuk you-all did: styk (pronounced "yuh") Future tense: I will: stal you will: stel he/she/it will: stil we will: stol they will: stul you-all will: styl

[amnonjakony]

South Darfur teachers, state workers: September salaries still unpaid

South Darfur teachers, state workers: September salaries still unpaid

 October 15 – 2018 NYALA / EL FULA

Teachers, officials, and civil servants in South Darfur have complained that their salaries from September have not been paid. The Central Committee of the Union of Education Workers gave the state government until today to pay.

A teacher and class in South Kordofan (File photo) The Committee said that the arrears of workers have amounted to more than…

[zuis0520]

( @theonlyjpav ) I don’t know what the fuck y’all teaching y’all kids but this is the only thing imma teach mine!! I can’t stand no bitch ass parents telling they kids to go tell the teacher ... naaaah fuck the teacher 🖕🏾... pick up a fucking chair and crack lil Johnny in the face with it!! lil Johnny will never forget that shit! 💯💯 #already #awholelivenegus #youngqueen #lessonlearned #listen #realtalk💯 ##fula #oshun #followmenow @zuis0520 she needs to talk to #kanye 💯 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo7tnZ_hCKL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4ym8rjxo91y1

[politicoscope]

Adama Barrow Biography and Profile

New Post has been published on https://www.politicoscope.com/adama-barrow-biography-and-profile/

Adama Barrow Biography and Profile

Adama Barrow, businessman and a successful property developer who owns an estate agency, never held public office, has defied the odds to score a shock victory in The Gambia’s elections. Although he became treasurer of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) party in 2013, Mr Barrow was not a household name in The Gambia. He was described as “little-known” even by one of the local media outlets supporting him. In an interview with a local media, Mai Ceesay, a former female UDP youth leader, describes Mr Barrow as industrious and humble, calling him the perfect candidate:

“He is humble, kind and industrious man who breaks the deal. He is down to the earth,” she said.

He was previously employed at The Gambia’s largest property rental firm. A former economic migrant, he lived in Britain – The Gambia’s former colonial ruler – for three and a half years in the early 2000s. His time in the UK saw him work as a security guard in a North London branch of the catalogue retailer Argos, where he developed a love for the English football team, Arsenal.

Mr Barrow’s opponent Yahya Jammeh, has ruled the country for more than two decades, but said if God willed it, his presidency could go on for “a billion years”. Adama Barrow victory in Gambia’s presidential eelction was arguably an even bigger shock than that of fellow property mogul in the US, Donald Trump.

Throughout his campaign, Barrow pledged support for an independent judiciary, as well as increased freedom for the media and civil society. He described his opponent as a “soulless dictator” and promised to undo some of Mr Jammeh’s more controversial moves.

“We will take the country back to the Commonwealth and the International Criminal Court (ICC),” he said.

Who is Adama Barrow?

Adama Barrow, born 16 February 1965 to an ethnic Fula family from rural eastern Gambia, Barrow earned a scholarship to attend high school in Banjul in 1985. In the early 2000s, he lived in the UK for several years, where he reportedly worked as a security guard at the Argos catalogue store in north London, while studying for his real estate qualifications.

British media have even reported that while guarding the shop on Holloway Road, he made a citizen’s arrest on a shoplifter, which resulted in a six-month jail term. It was also during that period that Mr Barrow chose to support Arsenal FC, at that time his local club.

After several years in the United Kingdom, he returned to Gambia in 2006 and started his own property company. A longtime member of the opposition United Democratic Party, Barrow ran unsuccessfully for National Assembly in 2007 and became the party’s treasurer in 2013.

But his ascension to party leader was mostly incidental: In July 2016, the UDP’s leader, Ousainou Darboe, was sentenced to three years in prison for organizing a protest, leaving the party without a standard-bearer months before the presidential election.

Barrow never threw his hat in the ring to replace Darboe, and he reportedly only discovered that he had been nominated when he saw his name on the ballot. “No drama Adama,” as he came to be known, seemed in many ways like the polar opposite of the egomaniac he unseated. He was especially popular among young voters who have been badly hit by the country’s struggling economy.

His victory, and his triumphant return to the country on Jan. 26, was hailed as a new beginning for Gambia. But the task before him was immense: Jammeh had left the country broke, divided, and internationally isolated. Nearly a year into his presidency, Barrow has begun to make progress. Over the course of 2017, he freed hundreds of political prisoners and canceled his predecessor’s plan to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. He has also mended relations with the International Monetary Fund, the European Union, and the British Commonwealth. In February, Brussels committed to unfreezing $36 million in aid funding.

A devout Muslim, he also criticised the lack of a two-term limit on the presidency and condemned the jailing of political opposition figures. Speaking to the BBC three days before the election, Mr Barrow said that Gambians “had been suffering for 22 years” and were ready for change. He scorned the achievements of his opponent, who boasted of having brought The Gambia out of the stone age with his education and health programmes. The hospitals President Jammeh had built had “no drugs… or quality doctors”, the schools “no teachers, no chairs… no good educational materials”, he said.

They were “white elephant projects”.

Adama Barrow, who promised on the campaign trail to introduce presidential term limits, has established a commission to draft a new constitution. He is also working to revitalize the ineffective and corrupt civil service by raising salaries and decentralizing power. Under Jammeh, “key decisions were all decided at the presidency,” says Alex Vines, the head of Chatham House’s Africa program, so devolving decision-making authority to the executive agencies represents a “completely new departure.”

Such reforms are bound to take time, and already the slow pace of change has caused disappointment in some quarters. Frequent power outages and water shortages around the country have led to demonstrations, and there are worrying signs — such as the government’s decision to deploy police and military units to deter protests in November — that Barrow’s Interior Ministry is falling back on its iron-fisted habits for dealing with them. Such fears have been heightened by the fact that many Jammeh loyalists remain ensconced in the bureaucracy.

“Patience has been forthcoming, but … a dilapidated infrastructure, and the continued employment of many former Jammeh associates, is undermining the atmosphere,” says Amadou Scattred Janneh, a former minister of information jailed under the Jammeh regime.

To reassure voters, Barrow must make concrete improvements, and fast, says Abdoulaye Saine, a professor of international and comparative politics at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. To this end, Saine says, the “ongoing trial of nine former National Intelligence Agency personnel, including its chief, bode[s] well.”

Indeed, despite the frustrations, Barrow has already delivered democratic freedoms that were unthinkable less than a year ago. “Before, most of these values of freedom and human rights, we dreamed about them,” says Gambian journalist and blogger Sanna Camara. “But now we are living that dream in this new Gambia.”

Adama Barrow Quick Facts

Member of the Fula ethnic group, born in 1965, the year of Gambian independence

Reportedly worked as a security guard at Argos in the early 2000s while studying in UK

Returned home in 2006 to set up property business

Supports English Premier League football team Arsenal

Nominated as the candidate for coalition of seven opposition parties, promising greater respect for human rights

A devout Muslim who is reportedly married with two wives and five children

Mr Barrow missed his son’s funeral as he was advised to remain in Senegal for his safety ahead of his inauguration – held in his country’s embassy in Dakar, Senegal, on 19 January

Family A husband to two wives and father of five until 15 January 2017, Adama Barrow eight-year-old son Habibu Barrow died reportedly after being bitten by a dog. Barrow is known to be a devout Muslim and a self-confessed workaholic.

“If you are a religious man it always influences you,” Adama Barrow said.

Adama Barrow Biography and Profile

[politicoscope]

Adama Barrow Biography and Profile

New Post has been published on https://www.politicoscope.com/adama-barrow-biography-and-profile/

Adama Barrow Biography and Profile

Adama Barrow, businessman and a successful property developer who owns an estate agency, never held public office, has defied the odds to score a shock victory in The Gambia’s elections. Although he became treasurer of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) party in 2013, Mr Barrow was not a household name in The Gambia. He was described as “little-known” even by one of the local media outlets supporting him. In an interview with a local media, Mai Ceesay, a former female UDP youth leader, describes Mr Barrow as industrious and humble, calling him the perfect candidate:

“He is humble, kind and industrious man who breaks the deal. He is down to the earth,” she said.

He was previously employed at The Gambia’s largest property rental firm. A former economic migrant, he lived in Britain – The Gambia’s former colonial ruler – for three and a half years in the early 2000s. His time in the UK saw him work as a security guard in a North London branch of the catalogue retailer Argos, where he developed a love for the English football team, Arsenal.

Mr Barrow’s opponent Yahya Jammeh, has ruled the country for more than two decades, but said if God willed it, his presidency could go on for “a billion years”. Adama Barrow victory in Gambia’s presidential eelction was arguably an even bigger shock than that of fellow property mogul in the US, Donald Trump.

Throughout his campaign, Barrow pledged support for an independent judiciary, as well as increased freedom for the media and civil society. He described his opponent as a “soulless dictator” and promised to undo some of Mr Jammeh’s more controversial moves.

“We will take the country back to the Commonwealth and the International Criminal Court (ICC),” he said.

Who is Adama Barrow?

Adama Barrow, born 16 February 1965 to an ethnic Fula family from rural eastern Gambia, Barrow earned a scholarship to attend high school in Banjul in 1985. In the early 2000s, he lived in the UK for several years, where he reportedly worked as a security guard at the Argos catalogue store in north London, while studying for his real estate qualifications.

British media have even reported that while guarding the shop on Holloway Road, he made a citizen’s arrest on a shoplifter, which resulted in a six-month jail term. It was also during that period that Mr Barrow chose to support Arsenal FC, at that time his local club.

After several years in the United Kingdom, he returned to Gambia in 2006 and started his own property company. A longtime member of the opposition United Democratic Party, Barrow ran unsuccessfully for National Assembly in 2007 and became the party’s treasurer in 2013.

But his ascension to party leader was mostly incidental: In July 2016, the UDP’s leader, Ousainou Darboe, was sentenced to three years in prison for organizing a protest, leaving the party without a standard-bearer months before the presidential election.

Barrow never threw his hat in the ring to replace Darboe, and he reportedly only discovered that he had been nominated when he saw his name on the ballot. “No drama Adama,” as he came to be known, seemed in many ways like the polar opposite of the egomaniac he unseated. He was especially popular among young voters who have been badly hit by the country’s struggling economy.

His victory, and his triumphant return to the country on Jan. 26, was hailed as a new beginning for Gambia. But the task before him was immense: Jammeh had left the country broke, divided, and internationally isolated. Nearly a year into his presidency, Barrow has begun to make progress. Over the course of 2017, he freed hundreds of political prisoners and canceled his predecessor’s plan to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. He has also mended relations with the International Monetary Fund, the European Union, and the British Commonwealth. In February, Brussels committed to unfreezing $36 million in aid funding.

A devout Muslim, he also criticised the lack of a two-term limit on the presidency and condemned the jailing of political opposition figures. Speaking to the BBC three days before the election, Mr Barrow said that Gambians “had been suffering for 22 years” and were ready for change. He scorned the achievements of his opponent, who boasted of having brought The Gambia out of the stone age with his education and health programmes. The hospitals President Jammeh had built had “no drugs… or quality doctors”, the schools “no teachers, no chairs… no good educational materials”, he said.

They were “white elephant projects”.

Adama Barrow, who promised on the campaign trail to introduce presidential term limits, has established a commission to draft a new constitution. He is also working to revitalize the ineffective and corrupt civil service by raising salaries and decentralizing power. Under Jammeh, “key decisions were all decided at the presidency,” says Alex Vines, the head of Chatham House’s Africa program, so devolving decision-making authority to the executive agencies represents a “completely new departure.”

Such reforms are bound to take time, and already the slow pace of change has caused disappointment in some quarters. Frequent power outages and water shortages around the country have led to demonstrations, and there are worrying signs — such as the government’s decision to deploy police and military units to deter protests in November — that Barrow’s Interior Ministry is falling back on its iron-fisted habits for dealing with them. Such fears have been heightened by the fact that many Jammeh loyalists remain ensconced in the bureaucracy.

“Patience has been forthcoming, but … a dilapidated infrastructure, and the continued employment of many former Jammeh associates, is undermining the atmosphere,” says Amadou Scattred Janneh, a former minister of information jailed under the Jammeh regime.

To reassure voters, Barrow must make concrete improvements, and fast, says Abdoulaye Saine, a professor of international and comparative politics at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. To this end, Saine says, the “ongoing trial of nine former National Intelligence Agency personnel, including its chief, bode[s] well.”

Indeed, despite the frustrations, Barrow has already delivered democratic freedoms that were unthinkable less than a year ago. “Before, most of these values of freedom and human rights, we dreamed about them,” says Gambian journalist and blogger Sanna Camara. “But now we are living that dream in this new Gambia.”

Adama Barrow Quick Facts

Member of the Fula ethnic group, born in 1965, the year of Gambian independence

Reportedly worked as a security guard at Argos in the early 2000s while studying in UK

Returned home in 2006 to set up property business

Supports English Premier League football team Arsenal

Nominated as the candidate for coalition of seven opposition parties, promising greater respect for human rights

A devout Muslim who is reportedly married with two wives and five children

Mr Barrow missed his son’s funeral as he was advised to remain in Senegal for his safety ahead of his inauguration – held in his country’s embassy in Dakar, Senegal, on 19 January

Family A husband to two wives and father of five until 15 January 2017, Adama Barrow eight-year-old son Habibu Barrow died reportedly after being bitten by a dog. Barrow is known to be a devout Muslim and a self-confessed workaholic.

“If you are a religious man it always influences you,” Adama Barrow said.

Adama Barrow Biography and Profile