Senegambian rappers come together for Mboka project

Called Mboka or Mbading, the project was formed when a six-member team under the auspices of Senegalese rap group Y’en a Marre conducted a four-day exchange visit to The Gambia recently.

The team was hosted by Gambian civil societies Beakanyang Kafoo and Team Gom Sa Bopa. President of Team Team Gom Sa Bopa Killa Ace (real name, Ali Cham) said there is a need for projects that can bring the people of the two countries closer. It was agreed, he said, that the project be called Mboka or Mbading, which means "we belong to the same family" in Gambian Wollof and Mandinka.

He pointed out that Y’en a Marre have supported the Gambia in the past and they believe that African unity has to start between Gambia and Senegal. The project “aims to strengthen the relation between the two in social life, in peace love and unity to continue among the citizen,” the hip hop singer said.

Nfamara Jawneh, executive director of Beakanyang Kafoo explained that their counterparts came to The Gambia to see how best they can exchange ideas and work together for the betterment of the countries. “We are proud to associate our self with any cause that will promote unity, culture and understanding between The Gambia and Senegal,” Jawneh said.

He noted that they learn a lot from them and share experience from the and hoping that they look forward to continue engaging them in the future for the success of this project. Spokesperson of Y’en a Marre Chiat they have been traveling the world and could have had activities in the Gambia, but due to dictatorship they could not.

He revealed that they want to have a training workshop between the two countries to share ideas, and plan to have a centre in Gambia where people can learn Senegalese culture and the same in Gambia.“Our aim is for the two countries one country one nation instead of divided nation," he said. "We can push for one identity card for Senegambia, one custom at the boarders, release a compilation between Gambian and Senegalese artists to talks about issue in two countries."

He explained that they are been doing a lot in Senegal includes given scholarship to students, participatory democracy, encourage citizen to participate in governance, and Africa unite through movement.“We calls ourselves we are not Senegalese we are African if all think like that Africa can unite,”

Founding member of Y’en a Marre Aliou Sane said the project will promote interculturality and experience sharing; encouraging citizen’s initiative in favor of good governance and working with leaders to benefit local communities. MBoka will, he said, "will engage Senegambia youth in positive and meaningful ways that allows them to contribute to the development of their society.”