Sunday, 29 May 2022

Karoninka People of Senegal and Gambia

Karoninka People can be found in Senegal and Gambia, they are part of the Niger- Congo family also they are related to the Jola People and they live mainly in Casamance in Present day Senegal. Carabane is an Island and Village located in the Southwestern part of Senegal in the mouth of Casamance river it consists of a shonal and alluvium to which soil is added by accumulation in the branches and roots of mangrove trees which cover most of the Island was once considered an arid location where no useful plants were likely to grow, but it now supports several types of fruit tree, the most common of which are mangoes and oranges, Carabane has continued to attract orinthologist interested in its wide variety of birds,  various species of fish are plentiful around the Island but there are few mammals.  

According to their Oral history Karoninka People , They originated from Present day Guinea due to their small numbers, marriage to members of other ethnic groups is common among Karoninkas, and has been identified by elders as one of the reasons for assimilation into both Islam and other language groups.   

Senouroumba is a set of drums used by both Karoninka, Jola and Mandinka, Jola, Karoninkas and Bainounkasi were believed to be the early settlers of Present day Kombo while Sere and Wolof settled in Present day northwest Ninumi By AD 1000,  people from the east arahule, Mandinkas and Fulani later settled along the river in towns and villages, when early Europeans arrived in Present day Gambia in the 15th Century had Kingdoms such as Baddibu, Fuladu, Niani, Kantora and Wuli.   

In Karoninka Culture the food is rice with a spicy sauce and vegetables, tomato sauce with fish,  vegetables such as carrot, cabbage, green peppers, Yassa is a dish from Cassamance is a chicken or fish marinated in lemon juice, pepper and onions,  It is accompanied by plain rice including sauce known as máfe domafa and soupe, Kandja which is made from Okra, fish and palm oil, meals include roasted or grilled meat with beans, steamed millet with vegetables, mutton and gravy is a ceremonial dish.  

In their tradition story tellers are known as a griot they are considered to be historians, poets, musicians and entertainers all in one, they use props, flutes, harps and make songs as they perform each region has a traditional feasts according to its own calendar in the Casamance region the own Oussouye hosts an annual royal feast day, It is held at the end of agricultural seasons and before the beginning they follow Islamic custom in their rites of Passage.

Initiation rites among Karoninkas is to build courage and endurance, communicate traditional and practical Knowledge of life, and transfer responsibility to a younger generation and some of the Knowledge it is believed it cannot be shared, drums also play an Important role in Karoninka Culture, the tradition rhytms of Sabar and tama drums still from the back drop to one of the popular types of music there is a mixture of the African and Cuban sound. It is believed Bainuk, Manjack, Jola, Karoninka and Bandia lead lifestyles which is similar both music and dance play an integral role, and distinctive traditional music such as Yela, the rhythm of which mimic the sound of grain being pounded by women is still practiced many people in Present day Senegal, their musical instruments such as Kora and hoddu are still played during ceremony.  

Karoninka houses are made of mud brick and thatch roofs while the walls are made of millet stalks or reed,  their traditional Kora is a stringed calabash gourd Instruments, symbolizes the singing poet tradition a unique percussion sound is made with a small drum held under the arm. Karoninkas have folk arts, crafts,  cottage Industry, they make jewelery,  baskets, pottery,  wood carvings, handwoven fabrics, handcrafts jewelry includes gold, silver, bronze, beads and amber necklaces, the crafts people fashion animals such as Iguana, crocodile, cow into belts, bags and shoes.

1 comment:

  1. really nice post. thanks for sharing beautiful content.

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