Gambia: On the Rights of Children: a Song By Jaliba and Junior Don

In a song that has the beat of a lullaby Jaliba Kuyateh soothingly reminds the nation yet again about our responsibility toward children. He has done many songs before on children's welfare but this particular song where he chants "din-ding laa nyunu nee la nyantoe lu leng" is special. I have not seen many songs in our music scene that combine classy music, inspiring lyrics and fitting video clip in a seamless rhythm. If I were to give the Gambian version of the Grammy, this song would rank top on the award list. In a combo with child sensation Junior Don Jaliba, who is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador sings an inspirational song "Voice of The Children" advocating children's welfare.

The rhythm of this song reminds me of our lullabies of old when our mothers used to sing us to sleep in our beautiful mother tongue. I remember this classic: Aayoe Aayoe Aiyang yang... suloo taa ta nyankari mutoe la bamba taa ta jee koejay la... the first part of the refrain tells of the wolf going out to hunt some crabs. Now I find this a fitting metaphor for what some of us elders are doing to our children today. The amount of child abuse and molestation is sickening and we need to stop this now! The abuse is rampant and cuts across the sexes but the girl child has born the lion's share of the attacks of those metaphorical wolves that continue to infest our society. We are doing a lot to cure this malady but we must do even more. We have to protect our children and create a safe, sound and inspiring environment for them. This is what Junior Don raps about in this song saying: we should check child labour and allow children to grow. "Let them grow and multiply, unify and sanctify; good education and medication; open up the door, show us the way... "

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.