Many Gambians are mourning for the death of Jali Alhagie Mbye, master of the Kora, composer and actor, on 12th December, 2018.
He died at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul on Wednesday, after a brief illness. The veteran prior to his demise is the Vice President presenting Cultural and Traditional artistes in executive board of Music Union of The Gambia.
Jali Alagie was born in Jarra Barrow Kunda to Sutaring Mbye and Aja Jabou Jange. He went to Barrow Kunda Primary School and later Mansakonko Junior Secondary School but went in search of his tradition and learnt playing the Kora then started research on Manding history travelling across West Africa to gather facts about Manding.
Then he travelled abroad to Norway and Sweden where he stayed for a while before returning back to The Gambia. Alagie lectured traditional music at various universities across Scandinavia and built a school teaching Kora to lots of people to boost the Mandinka culture.
Jali Mbye is currently producing the famous history of the Manding Empire on Gambia Radio and Television Service with Alagie Sarjo Barrow. His demise has closed another great historical manuscript containing important records of our past as people from the great ancient Manding Empire.
The Musicians’ Union of The Gambia (MUSIGAM) regrets to announce the demise of one of The Gambia’s greatest and finest musicians, master of the Kora, composer and actor, Jali Alhaji Mbye who also happened to the Vice President presenting Cultural and Traditional artistes in executive board of MUSIGAM. This great lost happened this morning 12th December 2018.
May the Almighty Allah grant him Jannat’ul Firdaws.
It added that that: “Alagie Mbye is a great narrator of cultural history and the griot tradition. For all his life, he has helped nurtured and trained both Gambians and Non-Gambian Nationals. A cultural University lecturer. What a great lost for Gambia! May The Almighty grant him eternal peace and forgive all his shortcomings. Rest in perfect peace Uncle.”
Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu, said: “On behalf of the production team of our KELEFA SANNEH documentary film project, I am saddened by the passing of the great Jali Alhagie Mbye of Jarra Barrow Kunda. He was a great asset during the research and filming stages our epic on Kelefa in The Gambia, Senegal and Guinea Bissau”
He added that: “We take relief in the fact that we have been able to capture and preserve his knowledge of our rich history for posterity”
Hussain Jabbie Kassama, said that: “Gambia lost a great man, The whole Manding is weeping for the lost such a rare great articulate Historian of our generation .May Allah grant him a wonderful place in Janna. Ameen”
According to him, the late is an honest and a righteous man who left a great vacuum. May Allah has his endless blessings on him and reward him with Janantul Fildaw.
Jadama Manfaring, said that: “Gambia has lost a legendary icon. Great traditional Historian and Kora legend Jali Alagie Mbye has answered to the inevitable call of Allah. He will be greatly missed. May his soul rest in Jannah tul Firdawsi. Amen
Foday Jawla, said that Manding lost a great Kora musician today. Jali Alagie M’bye was equal to many libraries; he was a treasure with rich history.
“In the few times I talked with him, I knew how ambitious the man was to establish a Manding institute. It’s very sad today to have him gone so soon. Jali alagie was an icon. Manding cultural group is in grieve today mourning the death of our hero Jali Alagie M’bye. Jali Alagie M’bye was on this platform teaching us Manding history”
Saul Sumbundu, noted that: “A great loss to the entire nation of The Gambia and the Sub-region. Jali Alagie Mbaye the Legendary Kora player and one of the great oral historians of our age has answered to the call of the Almighty Allah”
He explained that: “ Jali Alagie Mbaye has distinguished himself not only as an oral historian but also a magnificent Kora player who we can refer with great pride as the Wandi-feng Jali, Kunyea Saho, Jali Bamba Suso or the Lalo Kebba of our time”
A challenge to the entire Jali Kunda, Jali Alagie Mbaye has fallen who will step in his magnificent shoes or could his demise be considered as the beginning of the extinction of that great library containing the records of our past under your watch???
Imam Bakwsu Fofana said: “We have received with deep sorrow and sadness, of the news of the demise of a great griot and mouthpiece of the Awliyahs and Ahlul Bayt, Jali Alhagie Mbye. A great Pillar of The Gambia and Manding has fallen. May Allah admit him to Jannatul Firdaus. AMEEN”
