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Gambian Traditional
Animist
Beliefs |
Introduction:
Only 1% of people
in this country are sole believers in traditional indigenous
religion & its practices often referred to by the West
as Voodoo. (In 1963, 29% of people claimed to be
followers!). Despite the arrival and impact of
Islam
and Christianity people belonging to both groups still engage in one way
or another in this very old belief system which pre-dates
the arrival of the two religions.
Many Muslims blend
or syncretise a mixture of Islam along
with fetishist and animistic practices which comes in
various forms.
All
ethnic groups have their own objects, beliefs and
local practices. There is a tendency not to talk about
the subject except with close
family and friends where
advice is sought or on a need-to-know basis only.
Animism in Gambia
It is based on the idea that natural objects
such as animals, trees which may have a Jine, sacred
pools such as the one in
Kachikally and
Folonko in Kartong, as well as man-made
symbols such as fetishes idols & deities (Jalang & Gerem) are imbued with
supernatural powers. It is also believed that
Marabouts, witch doctors, diviners and herbalists
have control over these powers or can create some of
them which may take the form of Jujus. It may require
the sacrifice of an animal such as a chicken, goat or
sheep. Sometimes holy water, called Saffara, is used
which is created by taking paper with Islamic
scriptures on it and mixing it with water. This water
tends to be used after bathing to afford some sort of
protection or good luck.
 Strictly speaking,
animism as a formal and principal belief system has
died out except in some areas of Casamance in south
eastern Senegal and parts of Foni in The Gambia.
However, a residual group often lives on among Muslims
and some Christian groups, alongside the newer
religions. When modern medicine, prayer, and the
semi-religious solutions of the Marabouts fail to cure
an illness, people may turn to the old ways.
 For example among the Lébou of Cape Verde, the ritual
know as Ndeup is still held from occasionally, though
not on fixed dates. The Ndeup is a mystical therapy
aiming to extract the evil spirit from a patient. It
is held in public in the open. Often conducted by
women, and involves dancing and drumming. In fact, it
has always been the case that older, so-called pagan
belief system mesh surprisingly well with the newer
religions. Christian or Muslim saints may become
identified with older deities, allowing the two to be
worshipped simultaneously.
Jujus are sacred
amulets that can either
 be created with traditional
methods or using Islamic scriptures. They can be bound in leather or metal or can take the form of
goats horns, wood, feathers, padlocks, string and
other objects. Most are worn on the body to afford
protection from illness, bullets, exams, stabbing
knives, verbal abuse etc., etc. However, some can
be placed in the grounds of a new house you intend to
move into to ward off evil spirits known as Rapp.
Some are used for get you promotion at
 work or
to cause someone else to be
demoted. Some can be placed in an enemy's or
business competitor's premises to have a desired
negative effect on them. It is said that some can even be used
to kill someone! Indeed, there are any number of
reasons they are used as they can be tailor-made to
'fix' a particular individual or family problem.
 Historically it was the clinging onto of these
traditions by Muslims that triggered the
Soninke-Marabout wars from the 1850s waged by the
Jihadists against the Mandinka kings many of whom
still drank alcohol.
Whether you believe in such things or not it is a
fact that many highly educated people in Gambia and
the rest of West Africa who have travelled to the West
and are well versed in its modern values do practice
one or more of the aforementioned traditional
approaches.
Superstitions & Taboos
There also exists numerous superstitions in Gambia
based around around everyday objects, animals and
events which more or less cuts across all religions.
List:
• Shopkeepers won't sell you razors at
night (bad luck)
• Never answer the door to someone late at
night (evil)
• Pour water outside your door wards off
bad luck
• Dreaming of snake means impending
pregnancy
• Never visit someone who is bereaved
on a Saturday
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