Some descendants of King Coumba Ndoffan Joof and King Salmon Faye, both of Sine in Senegal, Friday, 27th April 2012 held a grand reception in honour of Rev. Fr. Jean Neol Faye, a Senegalese Catholic priest, who was delegated by Cardinal Sarr of Dakar to assist the local Church.

He is presently assigned to St. Therese’s Church in Kanifing to assist the Parish Priest. Under the auspices of the Senghore family of AFF Dye, the celebration was organised to welcome Father Faye to The Gambia at a colourful ceremony held in Kanifing South.

Since Fr. Faye is a lineal descendant of King Salmon Faye, the event had some trappings of the Serere Royalty. As Fr. Faye approached the Gabbidons’ residence in Kanifing South, a large crowd who provided a rapturous applause welcomed him. The team of drummers rang out as Serere women rolled their Calabashes towards him singing the traditional anthems of the king of Sine.

TGG Senghore, former governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia, dilated on certain aspects of their family history. He disclosed that his maternal side descended from Teneng Faye, sister of King Salmon Faye.

Senghore recalled that his maternal great grandfather arrived in Banjul between 1840 and 1850, adding that several well known Banjul families descended from him. He cited the Senghore of AFF-Dye, the Ndong families of Long Street, the Jobe families of Perseverance Street, the Jallows (OJ) of Serrekunda and many others.

He revealed that the first bridge across Oyster Creek was built by his grandfather around 1910 to enable the governor to ride on horse to Cape St. Mary and Sabiji as there were no vehicles then. He said another Grandpa established the first motor route to Ziquinchor via Brikama, Bwiam and Bingjona.

He noted that the extended family produced three Cabinet ministers, namely, OJ Jallow in the First Republic and Ann Therese Ndong and Fatou Lamin Faye in the Second Republic. Minister Faye, who participated in the celebration, is a descendent of King Salmon Faye. Among the large number of guests were Muslims and Catholic relatives, who all descended from the Royal house of Sine.