I dont usaually support the use of facebook to announce bad news, but I want to write to eugolize my grandmother who passed away last night. My grandmother, Tano, as my Dad taught us to call her, was a symbol representing to me and my brother Africa. And I came to Africa drawn by that symbol and a desire to learn more. I had the good fortune of knowing her: I lived in Niary Tally which is where she had been since 1957; I learned her language Pulaar and was able to communicate with her and thus learn and appreciate her sincere and kindhearted nature. Never schooled, she was nonetheless sharply intelligent. She understood the goings on in the world seen through her TV even though she rarely went farther than to the neighboorhood mosque once a week in her later years. Her only travel was to Mecca twice for the Hajj. Her refusal to adopt the dominant languages attested to her pride in her heratige, a pride that we inherited from her; for if not, where else would we get it. Over her long fruitful life she hosted the future president Senghor who came to visit the house during my grandfathers lifetime, and when he died in 1953 she married the son of the last Almamy or elected leader of the Republic of Fuuta Torro before the colonialisation hence independence of Senegal. She had a large familly with 9 children, and dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Each of us was raised in her house in some way. She lived for 90+ years (nobody knows for sure). She will be missed but she is inside of us. Yo Allah hebbin ma e Aljana Amin!
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 12:44:21 +0000
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