Welcome to Tambasansang
Experience the unique lifestyle of Tambasansang, a village founded by Falai Kora and his family. Explore our subsistence farming, hunting, gathering, and fishing practices, and learn about our structured social class system. Join us in preserving our traditions and heritage.
Tambasansang, Balangsansang, Kodusansang.
Tambasansang is a village in the West Africa, The Gambia, Upper River Region, Tumana district,Basse.
The name Tambasansang came about through the instruction of a great Marabout by the name Sinmoto Kemo Sanuwo. The instruction was to safeguard and protect the village from all source of evil forces and external attacks. In order to this, the founder of the village, Falai Kora must and should fence the village with 333 (Tambo) spears. Falai accepted and buried 333 in the village thus came the name Tambasansang.
The First Settlers of Tambasansang
According to the village history, the first settlers were Fulas but the settlement has no name. Falai and his family were in a place called Jamulkaira and their presence was felt by the Fulas. The Fulas were afraid because Falai is so powerful and can cause them trouble so they decided to migrate to Wuli in a place called Farato, near Sutukonding.
Falai and his family were in Jamulkaira till they were driven by heavy water and finally move to the place now called Tambasansang.
About Tambasansang
Where did they came from?
Falai Kora and his family originated from Kong in the Northern part of Ivory Coast, they migrated to the Western part of Mali, to a region called Tanda. Then Bundu, to Simmotto Touba, They moved to Jamudo Kairi then to Sukutoto and finally to modern day Tambasansang.
Tribe or ethnicity.
The main ethic settlement of Tambasansang is Mandinka with a little splash of some Fulas.
Means of survival?
Almost all the inhabitants of Tambasansang are farmers. We do subsistence farming in order to feed our families. We grow crops such as rice, groundnut, millet of all kinds, cassava, corn and Findi. We also do gardening, hunting, gathering, and fishing.
The Social Structure.
Tambasansang has a social class which was well organised and structured.
At the top of the social class were the nobles which include the founders of the village and their close associates.
The nobles are farmers and also traders in the village. They trade goods such as jewellery, clothes, animals, Colanuts etc.They also serve as kings and Alkalos in the village.
Some noble surnames in Tambasansang : Kora, Sajaw, Sanuwo, Koteh, Sawaneh, Sighateh, Danso.
The Marabouts.
The Marabouts in Tambasansang were Islamic scholars and preachers. They teach the people of village about Islamic principles and learning. They teach children The holy Quran and the Sunnah of The prophet SAW.
Some Marabout Surnames in Tambasansang: Drammeh, Sillah, Fatty, Conteh.
The Griots.
Tambasansang has griots (jalolu) which are very important in the village especially in times of marriage ceremony, naming ceremony. They griots are also the keepers of the village history. They are praise singers and also advices to the Kings in Tambasansang.
Jali Surnames in Tambasansang:
Suso, Kuyateh, Kanuteh and Jobateh.
Black Smiths.
There are black smiths in Tambasansang and they are very important in the village. They provide materials such as cooking utensils, war materials, farming materials and women jewellery. Their women perform tattoos for women in the village. They are also responsible for the circumcision in the village.
Smiths Surnames in Tambasansang:
Camara, Sengura, Sisawo.
The leather workers.
Leather workers also know as Farabos are found in Tambasansang.
The provide the following for the village: jujus and chams, shoes, belt, bags and other things.
Kabilos in Tambasansang. Presently, Tambasansang has five Kabilos and they are:
The Kora Kunda Kabilo
The Karankeh Kunda Kabilo
The Sulaa Kunda Kabilo
The Jali Kunda Kabilo
The Jamankafu Kabilo
