Gestures made by people in Gambia can be confusing
at first. Here are some commonly used hand signals, pictured and
explained non-verbal behaviour:
1: "ma-bañ" in Wolof. A sign of refusal, usually coming
from stubborn children. Literally, "a chicken would!"
(Note: this is an effective way to ward off sweet begging children,
sure to make them laugh).
2: "I will beat you”, sometimes accompanied by a "tsk
tsk" and disapproving shake of the head. This is the usual
threat of punishment for difficult children.
3: "later" or "when I return." Useful for
friends and acquaintances after a chat or when in a hurry.
4: "Salamalekum." This represents a handshake from a
distance and thus should be shown back in kind. Often used in
passing at a distance or when face-to-face verbal greetings are
difficult or impossible.
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1, Maa-bañ:
Flapping your arm like wings, bird-style. |
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2, Tsk tsk:
Downward snapping of thumb & index finger. |
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3, Later:
Circular motion of index fingers around in front of you. |
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4, Salamalekum:
Clasping hands in front of you and raising them a little. |
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Greetings Phrases
Languages
