NDAANAN: Introduction

In the history of Gambian literature, the most remarkable thing was the creation of a literary magazine called Ndaanan. Ndaanan has played a pivotal role in bring together intellectuals and has served to harness talents of many exceptional writers today. In this edition, we will attempt to give first an analytical history of Ndaanan, and then an introduction of the old editorial board.

History

Ndaanan’s first publication was published in March 1971. There was a forward by Dr Lenrie Peters and eight stories, one play and fifteen poems. The contributors of the stories are Ebrima Jallow (A man at Fault), Swaebou Conateh (The Boy Who sees visions and On O.R.K’s Mat), E. Midnight (Mboka’s Manuscript), Charles Jow (The Widow) and Essie (On the Spot Running Commentary and Mystery). The only play published, entitled Mandingerio outwitted, was contributed by Gabriel J Roberts. The fifteen poems are contributed by George Lapedon-Thomas (What Way and Energy), Hassum Ceesay (Fugitive and Manifa Musu), Hassan Jagne (An Inverted Question Mark and Father’s Mother), Gabriel J. Roberts (A Jarra Encounter and Ode to Amata), Dr Lenrie Peters (A Poem), E. Midnight (Involvement), Swaebou Conateh (The Fading Form, Summer Lines and The Farmer), Salif L Kujabi (The Weaver Birds and Chief Mamba) and Kwela Robinson (African Night).

The second issue was published in March 1972. There was a short letter attempting to interpret the meaning of Ndaanan by James Benoit, 5 short stories, 13 poems, a poem, and two book reviews. The five short stories and folktales were contributed by Charles Jow (The Pond), Salif L Kujabi (The Fall of a Witch Doctor), Tamba Baldeh (The Visitation), Dr Lenrie Peters (Recollection of a Beverage) and Ndungu (She that will not be Shamed). The  poems were contributed by Hassan I Jagne (Split Life and The Cacatarr), Karra (Song, The Defeated and Anti Climax), Swaebou Conateh (New Africa), N’jogou E. P. Bah (Sleep without Dreams), Hassum Ceesay (The Cotton Tree and Behind the looking Glass), George Ladipon-Thomas (Untitled), Junkung Chaka Daffeh (Untitled), Hassan I Jagne (December in the City) and Ralphina De Almeida (Sun, Rain and Wind). As in the first issue, there was only one play presented by Gabriel J Roberts and entitled A Coup is Planned. Two book reviews were done Dr Lenrie Peters (Mother is Gold) and Swaebou Conateh (Short Poems).

It was in September of the same year that third issue was published. There were several more new contributors in this one. There were four letters. The first was from James Benoit who kept trying to interpret the meaning of Ndaanan. The second was a follow-up of James Benoit’s letter written by the Rev J. C. Fye. The third was another letter from James Benoit who, in this case, tried to answer the question on Who is a Gambian. The fourth letter was from Robert Cobb expressing his opinion on the title Ndaanan. Only three short stories were published in this issue. They were forwarded by Kole Omotoso (Isaac), Momodou Leroi B. Jallow (A story of Faithfulness) and Salif L Kujabi (The Kidnapped Pet). Fourteen poems appeared in this issue. They were contributed by Lydia E Forster (Wonderful World Wickit People a poem in the Aku creole language), Karra (A Poem), a Sierra Leonean writer Mukhtarr Mustapha (Chains and Ploughs), Njogu Bah Jr. (Ode to Kwame), Swaebou Conateh (The Seed That Dropped, Blind Destiny, Abandoned Mother and A dog with Glazed eyes), Hassan I Jagne (African Twilight, Ode To Drought and The Farmers’ Season) and Gabriel J Roberts (My Best Girl Friend, Reflections Aboard a 707 and An Encounter in San Francisco). A Coup is Planned is the play repeated in this volume due to technical errors in the previous issue. Other contributors in this issue inclued Tamba Baldeh (A Need to Understand), Baikoro Silla (A Typical Fula Marriage), Swaebou Conateh (An African Writer’s World) and Hittie Forster (An Experience at Dawn).

In March 1973, the editors succeeded again in bringing out yet another volume of Ndaanan. This one turns out to include many features that were new in the previous ones. After the editorial, there was a special page on President Jawara’s statement on New Africa. A statement presented to the Sierra Leone’s Parliament. Another page was reserved for an excerpt from the press conference of January 25, 1973 with President Jawara after his statement on New Africa in Sierra Leone. Then there were three short stories and folktales contributed by Amie Drammeh (The Hunter and the Crocodile), Baboucarr Gaye (The Victims) and Kekoto Manneh (What concerns one concerns All). As for plays, there was none but there was an essay entitled Introduction to Kobina Seyki’s Blinkards by J. A. Langley and two play reviews by Swaebou Conateh and Marcel Thomasi entitled Mananeh Ceesay and The Tree respectively. There were 19 poems contributed by the following: Mariama K Njie (Cocks), Dennis N’jie (C-O-L-O-N-I-A-L-I-S-M and Bijilo), Swaebou Conateh (The Moon stepped out and Three Medals On An Old Man’s Chest), Brahim Jaiteh (The Cooking Pot, My Midnight Visitor, An Hour With Granny and The Stream), Joseph Gabidon (The Cheps), Sengan N’jie (Variations on a Theme for Nina Simone), Ingram Peters called Femi (We Shall Try), Madoun Jobe (Cajor Revisited, Nhapati – Nhololi [to a fallen mud hut], Nothing and The Downpour), Nekosta (To Us), an American Fel’—72 or Forrest Logan (Now/Ett) and Etta Baldeh (An Evening With The Herd). Hassan I Jagne presented a beautiful paper on The Position of Literature in the Gambia to the UNESCO conference on Book Development in Africa. This conference took place in Liberia from the 16^th to the 20^th October 1972.

The second volume of that year, published in September 1973 turned out very bulky. It was a sign that the response towards Ndaanan was very positive. Two people were also included in the editorial namely Mr Marcel Thomasi and Miss Margaret Jallow. Honour was equally bestowed on Ndaanan as they were invited to send two representatives to the 5^th Afro-Asian Writers Conference in the Soviet Union. It was a big plus for The Gambia and particular for literature in the Gambia. Literature once again served as a tool to disseminate the Gambian culture beyond its boundaries. There were five short stories and folk tales published in this issue. They were contributed by Juka Fatou N’Jie (The Jar of Palm Wine), Amie Drammeh (The Hyena and the Lion), Tijan Sallah (The Princess Who Would Not Marry a Man on Whose body There Was a Scar) Haddy Sallah (Kingdang – A Folktale) and Sankung Sagnia (Poor Fanta and the Python). There were two plays and a review by Marcel Thomasi of the plays published by Gabriel J Roberts – Mandingerio Outwitted, The Trial of Busumbala and A Coup is Planned. The two published plays were Downfall of Burr Jang Jangba performed by the Banjul Drama Society and A Voice in the Wilderness by Swaebou Conateh. There were 24 poems contributed by Omar Bah (Janjarri), Baboucarr M Gaye (Waiting, We Are Together, Up Country and Adultry), Ray Sock (A Denial, Untitled and The Turning point), Malick Faal (Fulladu, Women Pounding Coos, The Blind Love, Kora and My fleeing Mind), Greenhill Star (Ode to Stella), Swaebou Conateh (The Hopes of Man), Joseph Gabbidon (The Last Session), Gabriel J Roberts (Reflections), Karra (Prayer, Hell, Anything and For Bune), Ibrahim Jaiteh (The Big Tree Fell), Ansu Dibba (Pilgrimage) and Hassan I Jagne (the Oyster Gatherer). Other contributors included Roderick Knight (Mandinka Kora), Mamour M Jagne (Wollof Words in American English), Alhaji Sanyang (A look at Culture and Education in the Gambia)and Sasie S Ndure (Education and our Cultural Heritage).

In 1974, Ndaanan will encounter printing difficulties and would therefore publish only one issue as a combination of the March and September issues. However, in 1975, as this problem will persist, no issue will be published. It is only in 1976 that another combined issue will be published with the editors apologizing to their readers. Other new contributors will include Kebba sanneh, Deyda Hydara, Sheickh Tejan Nyang, Ebrima Manneh, Nekosta, E. M. Ngum, Junkung Chaka Daffeh, Roland Dennis Patterson, Nana Grey-Johnson and Mamour M. Jagne. Many projects were on the pipeline to diversify its activities but for some unfortunate reasons, Ndaanan will cease to exist that year. Seven issues that have contributed immensely in enriching the literary arena in this blessed Gambia. Some well-wishers feel justice can only be done if Ndaanan is revived.

The Editors

When Ndaanan just started, eight people were behind its success. These people are to be commended for work well done. The editorial, at the start, comprised of the editor Mr Swaebou Conateh who has today established the Gambia News and Report and the editorial board members Dr Lenrie Peters, Mr Gabriel J Roberts and Mr Hassan I Jagne. The Advertisement and Circulation Manager was Mr. Hassum Ceesay Sr and the Assistant Editors were the Late Mr. Charles Jow, Ms Esther Sowe and Dr Wally Ndow. In time, except for Dr Wally Ndow, these assistants became members of the editorial board to be replaced as Assistant Editors by new members who were Mr. Marcel Thomasi and Miss Margaret Jallow.

Ndaanan to be revived!!!

Soon, with the University of The Gambia, Ndaanan will begin publication again. It will be taking a different form and will have expert editors and proofreaders to ensure a quality and excellent publication. This may be an opportunity to rediscover young writers and boost literary production in The Gambia. For more information and the opportunity to contribute, write to Dr Pierre Gomez.