Kartong Community Forest Tales

Matthew Hancox gets his Gambian name

matthancox86 — Tue, 9 Sep 2008 21:15:00 GMT

In the past there have been volunteers such that have stayed in a compound of the village of Kartong. During their time these individuals have been given a local name. It was decided by the elders of the village that I should also be given a Gambian name as I am now a resident of the village.

The village Elders asked me what is my full English name, which I told them, was Matthew Hancox. There was a small debate in mandinka about what name I should be given. After a few minutes I was told like Matthew means “a gift from God”, I would be named Matar which is the Gambian equivalent. As for my temporary surname there was no need for discussion because there is a local tradition that your surname is which every Kunda (Compound) you’re residing in. Since I am living in Jabang Kunda my full name while in the Gambia is Matar Jabang.

Having a Gambian name while travelling around the Gambian combined with the little Mandinka I have picked up is very useful for being able to haggle with taxi drivers, shop keepers. The Gambians seem to enjoy the fact that a Tobab has a Gambian name is trying to learn a local language and has really helped increasing participation at FC (Forest Committee) meetings.

Moving into the Alkarlo Compound

matthancox86 — Tue, 9 Sep 2008 21:10:00 GMT

Before Chris Starr and Kenton Rogers left The Gambia I was given the option of two possible compounds at which I could reside in for the next 6 months. The first of which was the first compound as you enter the village and the second was at the far side of the village. During meetings with the village Elders there was a feeling that the second compound would be more suitable as that area is quieter and I am less likely to be disturbed by the youth of the village. I didn’t want to seem disrespectful towards the Elders, so I decided to move into the second compound, which we later discovered was the second Alkarlo’s (Village Leader) compound.

Living in a compound in Kartong meant that I would have to change my entire lifestyle and honestly I was really looking forward to the change. The first activity that needed to be done was to transform the once bare compound into a comfortable home for 6 months; luckily one of my future compound mates is an architect working on a project at Sandele (a 5 star eco retreat). Between the both of us we organised local beds to be made from Sibo (Rhun Palm - Borassus aethiopum) frongs, purchased a number of prayer mats and finally it was left to Tom to construct chairs and tables.