Shortly after Banjul was established in 1816 by the British, a handful of Wollof families in Senegal migrated to the area, said Omar Tafsir Ndow.

Mr. Ndow, whose great grandparents, were among the first Wollof settlers, detailed the migration to What’s On-Gambia when we visited him at his house on 13 Lancaster Street.

He said his great grandfather, Mam Jarr Ga Njie, was a native of Saloum, who left Senegal in protest over the selection of a jam (slave) as the burr (king) of the area. He first settled in Bakau and had his farm in Banjul.

Mam Jarr Ga later decided to move to Banjul and settled in Sam Jack Terrace (Kerr Gu Marg).  One of his grandchildren, P.O Njie, fought for the British in the Second World War and is currently the chairman of the ex-servicemen legion.

Omar Tafsir explained that when his great grandfather moved to Banjul there weren’t many homes in there. This was when there was widespread belief that Banjul was infested with wild animals and jinns.

“He became an important person in the community. Most of the political meetings in those days were held in his compound in Sam Jack,” he said.

Omar Tafsir’s family is one of the biggest in Banjul and they play a significant role in the city’s political life. They include the Njies, Ndows, Jengs and Faals.

According to Omar Tafsir, prominent members of the family include veteran footballer Biri Njie and former mayor of Banjul Pa Sallah Jeng, who is now on self-exile in the USA.