Senegalese Radio Dedications
Last night on the radio during dedication hour…
DJ: Ngadef! (Wolof for how are you?)
Caller: Waay, suma xarit, mangi fi rekk! (Friend, I am here)
DJ: Naka waa ker ge? (How are the people in your family)
Caller: Nunga fe! (They are there)
DJ: Naka sa baay? (How’s your father?)
Caller: Munga fe! (He’s there)
DJ: Naka sa ndey? (How’s your mother? )
Caller: Munga fe? (She’s there)
DJ: Jamm nge am? (Do you have peace?)
Caller: Jamm rekk, alhamdulilay! (Peace only, thanks be to God!)
DJ: Donc, avez-vouz une dedication? (Switching to French - Do you have a dedication?)
Caller: Wow (Wolof - Yes)
DJ: Ok
Caller: Donc, premierement pour m’est amis a Dakar. (First for my friends in Dakar)
DJ: Wow
Caller: Et ma t’ante in Pekine (and my Aunt in Pekine)
DJ: Wow
Caller: Mon auncle Abdulaye Gueye en N’Gor (My Uncle Abdulaye Gueye in N’Gor)
DJ: Wow
…. this continues on till most of his conceivable family members and friends are covered.
DJ: Mais! N’avais vous pas de parents en Dakar!? (But, don’t you have parents in Dakar!?)
Caller: Wow! Merci! Je voudrais donne un “shout out” a eux aussi.
DJ: Ok, Dierrediouf! (Ok, Thanks!)
Caller: Ciao
DJ: Ciao
The DJ then picks up the next caller and the same process starts again! Needless to say, dedication hour is not the time to catch up on the latest Senegelese hits.
mike berg Said,
May 26, 2005 @ 7:53 am
hey, funny to hear that. there is a local station that does a couple hours of African music on Saturday nights in Baltimore, and they have a Senegalese DJ and the same thing happens, you can softly hear the music in the background, but people mostly just talk over it the whole time. Its pretty cool. later, mike
Dad Said,
May 27, 2005 @ 8:38 pm
Matt - my brother just called to say how much he enjoys your Blog. Glad you are finding some people from the old days in Dakar. Senegal is an interesting place.