allAfrica.com: Gambia: Interview With Demba Danjo, Fiddle Specialist (Page 1 of 2)

Demba Danjo is a fiddle specialist as well as an oral historian. In this exclusive interview with the Art and Music column, Mr. Danjo gives an account of his personal strife to learn this rather peculiar musical instrument. He further discusses the significance of African history especially in the bid to unite the continent.

Foroyaa: Could you introduce yourself to Art and Music Column readers?

Danjo: My name is Demba Danjo and I was born in Baro Kunda, Wuli West District, Upper River Region. I have got a rather unusual story that members of my family are from smiths by profession. However, I decided to become a fiddle player after learning it. Having said so it is worth pointing out that becoming a fiddle player did not prevent me from learning the trade of my father and grandfather which is iron smith.

Foroyaa: It is quite usual that an iron smith turns to a fiddle player, so what inspired you to change profession?

Danjo: Well, during my childhood days I used to play an instrument that resembles a fiddle. And as I grew older I began to develop more admiration for a fiddle. I had several dreams in which I saw myself playing fiddle. In a nutshell, it was my desire to visualize my dreams that truly inspired me to become a fiddle player.

Foroyaa: How did you start learning and playing fiddle?

Danjo: It was immediately after one of my those dreams that I rushed to one man who makes fiddles expressing my desire to have a fiddle. The man who actually thought I was joking charged two hundred CFA as the price. Having produced that amount the man brought the fiddle to me and returned me sixty CFA. He then told me that the reason why he demanded two hundred CFA was simply because he was testing my seriousness about the thing. In response I told him to take the change. After receiving my fiddle I fixed the strings and started playing it. The only person to have taught me how to play the fiddle was a personal friend who stayed with me just for a day and showed me how to become a better fiddle player. I started playing the fiddle while I stayed in the Senegalese town of Tamba Kunda.

Foroyaa: How long did it take you to become a full fledge fiddle player?

Danjo: It took me nothing less that six years to acquire all the skills necessary to be a full fledge fiddle player. After learning by practicing on my own in Tamba Kunda I had to go to Mali where I was taught by a fiddle specialist. Upon completion of my training in Mali I joined the Malian National Troop as a fiddle player.

Foroyaa: How did you join the Malian National Troop?

Danjo: Well, one of my friends worked with the then Malian Troop and I used to attend their rehearsals with him. Unfortunately the then fiddle player of the Malian National Troop passed away and my friend was asked to recruit a fiddle player. He then consulted me and offered me the job which I accepted. I worked with the troop for a period of four years during which we had toured many countries in the Sub-region. It was during one of those tours when we came to The Gambia that my father persuaded me to stay in Gambia. This was how my career with the Malian National Troop ended. When I was in the Malian National Troop we toured and performed in all corners of Mali.

Foroyaa: Apart from your prowess on the fiddle, you are also quite versatile in oral history. How did you learn history?

Danjo: I learned history from the same person who taught me to play the fiddle. The name of this fiddle specialist and oral historian is Jali Baba.

Foroyaa: Having been persuaded by your father to stay in Gambia how did you continue your artistic career in your native country?

Danjo: Well, in the country I have performed with many artists and joined many bands. However, I have now stopped joining bands, although I still play my fiddle on some occasions.

Foroyaa: Have you ever worked with The Gambia National Troope since returning from Mali?

Danjo: I have never worked with The Gambia National Troope, although several attempts were made to persuade me to join them. My reason for not joining Gambia National Troope was because I feared that I would not be adequately paid.

Foroyaa: You once ran a popular oral history show at Citizen FM Radio, how did that programme start?

Danjo: The late proprietor of Citizen FM Babucarr Gaye knew me and gave me air time on his radio to narrate African history. As the programme became popular he even wanted to establish a permanent salary for me. Unfortunately, we did not live to witness that as the radio station was taken off air.

Foroyaa: Apparently the closure of Citizen FM has an adverse impact on you as you were denied a source of income?

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