DOI: 10.25592/uhhfdm.10317
title: An Account on Kelefaa Saane (NCAC_RDD_TAPE_0294A)

description: Kelefa Sanneh was shot and killed by an uncircumcised boy when he arrived to support Mansa Demba in the battle of Bariya. According to the people of Jokadu, it was foretold that only an uncircumcised boy could kill him.

When Kelefa lay dying during the war, his men began robbing him of all his possessions, but their actions backfired.  All the persons who took his belongings died instantly, and this occurred while he was still alive.  None of his items were removed and he was later laid to rest under a mahogany tree.

There were many rulers from the Sanneh clan in Kabu.  They had a cruel ruler called Kanankinara Jija, who would force people to feed the vultures.

It was foretold to him that the Fulas would become the rulers of Kabu, and he boasted that would never be possible while he was alive. The Fulas were oppressed by them during that period.

Faramba Tamba the ruler of Kabendu, was also involved in some malicious acts.  He severed off the heads of Islamic scholars (Marabouts) while they were reading the Koran. 

News of this incident reached Foday Kaba Dumbuya and an attack was mounted at Kabendu, against Faramba who escaped, but was subsequently captured and killed at Pirada.

There was a Sanneh lady called Balaba who was the most senior member of the Koring clan.  She sent a message to the entire Koring clan requesting that they meet, and she prayed one final time for them to be blessed.  She prayed for the Sanneh clan and the family of Kutu Simba at Payinku.  The people of Kankelefa also came and gathered for her prayers.

The last ruler at Kankelefa was Mamadu Manneh, who was opposed by some of his people.  He told them he would rule until his death.  After he died, it was several years after his death before Sainey Sanneh succeeded him. 

Suntu Bureh, Suntu Wally, Kusanari, and Katobutinto Bulu were male members of the Sanneh clan.

The name Kelefa referred to two persons, of the first is Kelefa Jaliya and the other is Kelefa Kura. They were both descended from the same ancestors.  Kelefa Kura was killed in a war at Pachama Kantakunda in Kabu.  He had a reputation for being a strong and brave fighter.  However, Kelefa Jaliya was more popular than he was.

Kelefa Kura settled in the town called Kang Kelefa and had sons called Silati Ngaleng, Silati Ngansumana, and Silati Jonyi.  He fought a bitter war at Pachama Kantakunda.

Nyunka Mandu Sanneh at Jimara Suma Kunda was Kelefa Kura’s son, and also Faramba Tamba who was at Kabendu.

Malang Bulafema also known as Nyunka Mandu was a great fighter who defeated sevral opponents during wars.

The name Kabu originated from the people of Pajadi.  In their language, Kabu means “the people that are known.”

Kang Kelefa was settled by the Sanneh clan from Pajadi.  They established themselves in many other towns including, Basung and Kichara.

There was a land dispute between Kabu and Pakau.  To resolve the problem, they met at the border.  The people of Kabu deceived them and later took possession of the land.

The Sanneh clan dispersed and settled in numerous places because the clan was expanding. The Sanneh clan that came to settle in the Gambia are descendants of Simba Sanneh.  Mbemba Sanneh was the great ancestor of the Sanneh clan. 

When they arrived at Kabu, the place was not large and it was not inhabited by non-believers.  After establishing several towns, they moved close to the River Gambia and settled Kanjara, Maanee and Jimara SumaKunda.

Janke Wally was Kansala’s last ruler.  When he ascended the throne, he assured his people that he would be the final ruler.

When Janke Wally heard that the Fulas were approaching attack him, he ordered Tura Sanneh to go and see them.  Tura went and returned to advis him to flee because they were coming with powers that they could not suppress.  Tura later fled with his family.

Cherno Saidu Daleng cast a spell on the people of Kabu, rendering them weak and unable to fight.

When they attacked Kansala, they fought a bitter war, Kansala was completely destroyed.

Damantang Alimu Nyabally’s mother Kaba Sanneh was Janke Wally’s daughter.  Her husband was Foday Salim Nyabally from Kapiro who was one of the great warriors.

 

<strong>References to entities made in the recording</strong>

<strong>Culture:</strong> Mandinka

<strong>Language:</strong>  Mandinka

<strong>Persons:</strong> Kelefa Sanneh, Mansa Demba, Kanankinara Jija, Faramba Tamba, Balaba, Mamadu Manneh, Sainey Sanneh, Suntu Bureh, Suntu Wally, Kusanari, Kutobutinto Bulu, Kelefa Kura, Kelefa Jaliya, Silati Ngaling, Silati Ngansumana, Silati Jonyi, Nyunku Mandu Sanneh, Malang Bulafema, Mbemba Sanneh, Cherno Saidu Daleng, Damantang Alimu Nyabally, Kaba Sanneh, Janke Wally and Foday Salim Nyabally.

<strong>Relationships:</strong>

Mansa Demba was the ruler at Niumi

Kelefa Sanneh was a great warrior

Janke Wally was the last ruler at Kabu Kansala

Kelefa Kura’s children included: Silati Ngaling, Silati Ngansumana and Silati Jonyi.

Mbemba Sanneh was the great ancestor of the Sanneh clan.

Kaba Sanneh was the daughter of Janke Wally and Foday Salim Nyabally’s wife

Mamadu Manneh was the last ruler at Kankelefa

<strong>Places:  </strong>

Niumi, Jokadu, Bariya, Kabu, Kabendu, Pirada, Kankelefa, Payinku, Pachama Kantakunda, Pajadi, Basung, Kichara, Pakau, Kanjara, Maanee, Jimara Sumakunda, Kansala and Kapiro

<strong>Movements:  </strong>

Kelefa Sanneh left Kabu to support Mansa Demba in war with Jokadu

The descendants of Simba Sanneh came to settle in the Gambia

<strong>Actions:</strong>

Kelefa Sanneh was shot and killed by an uncircumcised boy during the war at Bariya

Some of Kelefa Sanneh’s men died instantly when they wanted to take his belongings when he was shot.

Foday Kaba Dumbuya captured and killed Faramba Tamba the ruler of Kabendu as a revenge to his killing of Islamic scholars

Cherno Saidu Daleng spell a cast on the people of Kabu and that helped them to defeat Kansala

<strong>Time references:</strong>

None

<strong>Additional information:</strong>

None

<sup><em>Alternative names: Kelefa, Sanneh, Susso, Suso, Kebba</em></sup>
description: Published by NCAC - National Digital Archive of The Gambia, initiated by University of Hamburg, Asia-Africa-Institute, Germany, funded by Gerda Henkel Foundation, Germany