The discovery of the raampa pictographic writing in the Senegambia, West Africa

Issue Date: 
2013
Publisher: 
http://phoenicia.org
Description: 
The author became interested in pictographic markings that he learned of in a book by a Malian author, Hampâté Bâ. To his surprise, the people he was working with, the Saafi-Saafi of Senegal, were also familiar with this form of communication which they called "raampa." Only a few older initiated men knew the secret codes associated with the marks, but one was willing to discuss them, since they were in danger of passing out of knowledge. Eventually, the author and his research assistant catalogued over 400 marks from many different sub-Saharan cultures. The fourteen markings referred to in the Malian book most resembled the ancient script called late Phoenician Linear A. The author traces the probable route by which this Phoenician alphabet made its way to Senegal via ancient Carthage. Raampa is used for marking animals (like branding cattle), for magic and healing, and for various secret communications. The author hopes others will continue the study of raampa.
Publication Status: 
Published
Country: 
Gambia
Guinea
Mali
Mauritania
Senegal
Content Language: 
Field: 
Work Type: 
Nature of Work: 
Entry Number: 
54804