The Dynamics of Change in the History of Mandingoes

The Dynamics of Change in the History of Mandingoes
By: Mohammed Swaray
June 29, 2009

In Western Africa, Mandingoes are widely spread and economically engaged than most other tribes in the region. This was influenced by their eminent positions in the 13th-17th centuries, when they took over many Africa States through dominance of governance, power, economic ventures and warrior conquest.

These foot prints and legendary legacy gradually disappeared into oblivion when Mandingoes came into contact with Islam. Everyone one has got history that has got dynamic challenges. The coming of Islam drastically softened the minds, souls, bodies and stances of Mandingoes; as a result, they turned to seeking literacy and acquiring knowledge of all kinds. Most people in the past took advantage of this softened disposition with little knowledge of what Mandingoes’ capabilities were in those days.

Of course, we can continue to outline the achievements made by the Mandingoes in the past. However, such outline would be least beneficial to us and posterity if we utterly ignore the enormous challenges confronting Mandingoes in contemporary societies. The world has always evolved from the bubonic plague that struck Europe and the Mediterranean areas from 1347 through 1351 and caused lots of death. The industrial revolution and World Wars I and II are also part of the evolution that occurred centuries ago.

As Mandingoes, we cannot and must never isolate ourselves from happenings in the world, as such new thresholds of happenings emphasize progress and development. Our forefathers - in their time - fought ignorance, injustice, poverty and social vices in societies. We must make these legendary legacies our pivotal sources of references for setting development agenda for future generations.

Fortunately, in the 21st century, an overwhelming majority of Mandingo youths are heavily educated and are making meaningful contributions in societies across the globe. We admire the developmental trends of these youths - their ability to embrace Information Technology and use Internet Communication Technology to educate and empower new generations of Mandingoes and Liberians (as illustrated in Mohammed Dukuly’s campaign flyer, FELMAUSA’ presidential aspirant).

Meanwhile, the upcoming elections for FELMAUSA must initiate community development from multi-dimensional perspective, as also indicated by Mr. Dukuly. We need a trust fund that will support ongoing development programs and projects in and outside Liberia, to consolidate our advancement in the community of nations. Moreover, while it is true that there is an inevitable need for us to practically encourage social interactions and integration, we must not, however, limit our social development initiatives to naming ceremonies, wasteful and unnecessary social promotions depicting negative connotation that may appear blasphemous, sacrilegious and offensive to the new generations of Mandingoes. We are obligated to set sound moral agenda for coming generation as they will be obligated to do same to subsequent offspring in future.

In the same manner, as mentioned by Mr. Dukuly, FELMAUSA’s presidency must set up agenda that will consolidate efforts to form partnership with US colleges/Universities to enable and facilitate the admission process of Liberians for higher education. Campaigners need to prioritize community health care on their agenda to seek supports for our health sector development in Liberia as the nation is in desperate need of health care professionals.

Amongst the invaluable endeavors that FELMAUSA’s presidency must re-emphasize over and over again is the basis of our unity as Liberians and that we must understand that “united we stand and divided we fall” is the principle that can facilitate national development and social progress. Our unity must be fostered and enhanced by the quality of education we acquire and its functional applications must make a marked and distinct difference in societies we find ourselves.

It is clear that the 14 years meaningless war only brought sufferings and abject poverty and disease, destruction and mutual hatred to us as people. As such, the FELMAUSA in coming presidency must set up a platform that will consolidate government efforts to reconcile Liberians over and above tribal difference that have retarded our progress and development for more than 160 years. As Liberians we cannot and must not be captives of backwardness and ignorance forever.

FELMAUSA’s presidency must never reduce itself to photo presentations on its website of glamorous babies, men and women; rather, it must emphasize initiatives that will impact the lives of the less privilege, the poor, the sick and those in desperate needs of hope and opportunities for change in their lives. Our forefathers did not leave any stone unturned for our betterment and success as was envisaged by them and as we benefit from their efforts today. As suggested my Mr. Dukuly, Liberia’s Mandingoes in the USA must call for agglomeration, togetherness, unity, cohesion, brotherhood and sisterhood (badinya ani -fadinya), a valuable tool our community must never lose sight off. Our forefathers were formidable and clear in their desires and abilities to effect changes that brought freedom, peace and tranquility in Africa. In our era, we must sustain quality efforts and proceeds with new impetuses that will assure the progress and development of our societies and people as required by time and space.

Mohammed Swaray
swaraymas@gmail.com <mailto:swaraymas@gmail.com>