On Saturday night’s edition of “Voice of the People” on AG Radio, Bun Dawda appeared as a guest, providing an in-depth analysis of the longstanding tradition involving the Banjul Muslim elders. This annual custom takes place at the end of Ramadan on Koriteh day, when selected elders pay a courtesy call to the State House to meet the President and other senior government officials.
The practice, he explained, dates back to the colonial era and has continued through successive administrations, including those of Dawda Jawara, Yahya Jammeh, and Adama Barrow.
Reflecting on the past, Bun Dawda noted that Koriteh was traditionally a time for family unity, community engagement, and spiritual reflection. “Time has not changed, but people have changed. Every generation comes with its own challenges,” he said.
He emphasized that historically, these visits served as an avenue for meaningful dialogue between community elders and those in authority. During colonial rule and after independence, the gatherings provided an opportunity to raise community concerns and seek solutions.
However, Bun Dawda argued that the nature of these visits began to shift during Yahya Jammeh’s presidency. According to him, the introduction of large cash gifts, commonly referred to as “Salibo,” altered the purpose of the gatherings. What was once a forum for discussion and reflection, he said, gradually took on a more political tone.
He further observed that this approach has continued under President Barrow, with the tradition now serving as a platform for political messaging rather than community dialogue. He also criticized the increasing focus on financial handouts, suggesting it has overshadowed the spiritual and cultural significance of the occasion.
Bun Dawda contrasted this with the era of Sir Dawda Jawara, when discussions at such gatherings often extended to regional and global issues, including challenges within West Africa.
He concluded that the Koriteh State House visits have lost much of their original value, becoming more politically driven than spiritually grounded.
