By Haddy Touray
Hassoum Ceesay, Director of the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), has led tributes to legendary cultural ambassador Taka Titi, who passed away on 12th April in Janjanbureh.
Describing him as an iconic figure, Ceesay said Taka Titi was not only an entertainer but a profound cultural communicator and historian who served both his community and the country at large, as well as foreign visitors who came to Janjanbureh for tourism.
“Taka was a grassroots cultural animator with great talent and accessibility. He was also a very dependable partner for the National Centre for Arts and Culture,” Ceesay told The Voice with emotion. “I would like to use this opportunity to convey our sincere condolences to his family, the people of MacCarthy Island, and all cultural communicators in the country.”
Yunus Salieu, a renowned travel and tourism journalist, said Taka Titi was a powerful traditional and community communicator whose use of cultural instruments, particularly drums and entertainment, helped simplify communication within local communities.
“Repeater tourists, especially his fans, will no doubt miss his cultural entertainment whenever they visit the historic island of Janjanbureh,” Salieu said. “Taka Titi was always seen by the riverside and the Freedom Tree, displaying his set of three drums to entertain tourists.”
Salieu added that Taka Titi’s background as a teacher enabled him to effectively communicate with both tourists in English and students from The Gambia and neighbouring countries in native languages. “His death is like a spanner lost to Janjanbureh, a community championing domestic tourism in Destination Gambia,” he said.
Honourable Omar Jammeh, National Assembly Member for Janjanbureh, described Taka Titi as an asset, ambassador, and legend in the promotion of traditional culture in Janjanbureh and The Gambia.
“His demise is devastating and shocking, but his spirit will forever remain with us,” Jammeh stated. “Taka served former Chief A. Bah Jam Jawo and current Chief Bakery Jam Jawo as a traditional communicator, sharing information across the island while also entertaining the community during social events.”
He added, “He participated in all community functions and had the unique skill of keeping everyone smiling. I have lost a great friend and pray that Allah grants him Jannah Firdawse.”
Taka Titi was born in Niamina Dankunku in 1962. He attended Armitage High School from 1974 to 1979 and spent decades in Janjanbureh as a cultural entertainer, traditional communicator, court interpreter, and tourism promoter.
