The Gambian women turning grief into song
Summary
In The Gambia, a group of women called the Kanyeleng use singing and dancing to support women who have experienced infertility and child loss. This tradition, rooted in Mandinka culture and found across several West African countries, helps these women share their grief and find strength together through music.Key Facts
- The Kanyeleng are women who come together to sing and dance to offer support to those who have lost children or face infertility.
- Women in the group dress in men's clothes and colorful headscarves during their performances.
- The tradition mainly belongs to the Mandinka ethnic group but is practiced in other communities with different local names.
- There are more than 100 Kanyeleng groups across The Gambia, especially in coastal towns like Bakau.
- The practice is cultural rather than religious and has been passed down for many generations.
- Mentending Trawally, age 84, is one of the long-time members who learned the songs as a teenager.
- Kanyeleng groups perform at social events like weddings, sometimes raising small donations to support their work.
- The tradition helps women cope with societal pressures linked to motherhood by giving them a public voice through song.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
