Mama Lisa's Books

The Meaning of Dreams about Food in Gambia

Del Dallimore has been living in Gambia in Africa for many years. She works in the local clinic and helps at the school. Here's what she wrote the other day about the local meaning of her dream about food... "Weird dream last night. Dreamed my children were still little, and there was no [...]

The Kankurang and Male Circumcision Customs in The Gambia

Recently, Del in Gambia sent us photos of the Kankurang, a central figure in male circumcision traditions in Gambia. I just received this note from Del: I did a bit of research and came up with this: Kankurang The Kankurang is part of the Gambian male circumcision ceremony. Most boys are [...]

The Kankurang and The Gambian Male Circumcision Tradition

Del Dallimore shared these photos from Gambia Africa of the Kankurang.  She wrote, “He is the circumciser, and snatches certain kids away from their homes. No wonder the kids are terrified! The children and often the parents try and avoid the Kankurang – so a male child can be [...]

Koriteh – Celebration of the End of Ramadan

Del wrote from The Gambia, “Lisa – today is also the Muslim celebration of Koriteh – after the Ramadan fast. So people here too are very happy.” I read that kids go around to houses asking for “salibo” (sweets or money) just like the western Halloween. Happy [...]

Scarecrows in Gambia, Africa

I blogged recently about how Del Dallimore has been collecting Gambian children's songs on YouTube. Del took these photos below of scarecrows in the rice fields of Brufut, Gambia.  I thought it was interesting how they look different from those here in the US.  The scarecrows in Gambia [...]

We've just added The Gambia, Africa to Mama Lisa's World!

Delyth Dallimore recently sent me the wonderful video below from The Gambia... The lyrics to the video can be found on our new Gambian song pages. The video is on the Mandinka language. Del is collecting videos of Gambian children's songs on her YouTube channel. Here's what she wrote about The [...]

Can Anyone Help with a Cuban Rhyme/Finger Play that starts with “Chiquitica así”?

Jeannie Backer wrote to us for help with a Cuban Finger Play. Here's her note... My mother from Cuba used to sing a song/rhyme to usthat I only partially remember, maybe you have heard something similar. It's not a song as much as a cute thing that a child says to adult to ask for

The [...]

About the Song “Cooma Lotta Veesay”

We received the note below with the song “Cooma Lotta Veesay”. Many variations of this song exist, including “Kumala Vista”. It also shares lyrics with the action song called “Flee, Fly, Flo“. Here's the email: “In the late 1950s, we lived near a [...]

Does anyone know this version of Catalina Matelina?

Dennis Lytle wrote to us asking for information about a rhyme: “Any info on the rhyme my parents taught us would be appreciated... I tell you bout vat girl of mine vat looks so sveet and dress so fine, vat come from Dootchland on the Rhine a couple of veeks ago. Her eyes are blue [...]