‘Zimba’ and the society

The threat of globalization far surpasses the excesses of the developed world, contrary to what many people tend to think. Even within our own societies, the excesses of our urge for individual gains have resulted to the distortion of some of the finest features of our cultural heritage.

‘Zimba,’ a Wollof masquerade dancer, for instance, has been with us for centuries, and it has become so famous that it has fallen prey to societal cruelty. ‘Zimba’ forms an important component in the Wollof tradition. It is of course a great source of entertainment and, to some extent, it also serves as a form of fundraising. But, over time, its primary importance seems to have metamorphosed into fundraising purposes entirely.

This, unfortunately, is the underlining factor behind all ‘Zimba’ shows these days.

Talking about money, ‘Zimba’ shows had eventually become so rampant that public peace and tranquillity was at one point put at risk; and that was what warranted the move by the security department to impose a ban, requiring genuine organizers to obtain official permit before organizing one.

But overtime, people employed tactics of outwitting the security.  An interesting thing about this is that most of the people who organize these shows hire their ‘Zimbas’ from outside the Gambia.

While there may not be any problem with hiring people from outside the country, it is important to note that any collaboration with partners - be they Gambians or non-Gambians - must be within the dictates of the laws of the land.

The present talk of town - the incidence in Bundung, where a ‘Zimba’ is alleged to have kill a young boy, was a vindication of the decision by the authority to impose the ban in the first place.

While that case is already in court, which means that we can not deliberate enough on the matter, for fear of influencing the court ruling, it is imperative that we take the opportunity to remind the society of the need to adhere to the laws of the land.

If the organizers of that beleaguered show had gotten themselves a permit before organizing the show, they would have escaped the charges levelled against them; common nuisance, under the Criminal Code, and obstruction of a public highway, Act, Laws of The Gambia.  Gambians should know that the laws are here for us to obey, they are not just documents for archiving.