Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – As The Gambia marks a Diamond Jubilee of cultural reflection and remembrance, few names resonate as deeply within Banjul’s festive traditions as that of the late Pa Daniels, affectionately known as Taidan, the original Ajaday of the Odilleh Hunting Society and a towering figure in the preservation of communal identity.

Pa Daniels was not merely a participant in culture; he was culture embodied. For generations in Banjul, particularly within Newtown Ward, his presence symbolized courage, care, and continuity.

Each New Year’s Day, he would emerge in unmistakable regalia, straw hat firmly set, gun slung confidently across his shoulder, leading Odilleh with a fearless dignity that announced both celebration and guardianship. It was a sight that reassured, inspired, and unified.

Beyond the pageantry, Pa Daniels was, above all, a humanitarian par excellence. Long before social services were formalised, he rendered free medical assistance to those who could not afford care, asking for nothing in return.

To many residents of Newtown, he was more than a neighbor; he was a protector, a healer, and a Humanitarian Ambassador in the truest sense of the word.

Though he has long since gone to eternity, Pa Daniels has never truly left Odilleh. There has not been a single New Year’s Day when his memory has not been invoked.

Each ceremonial gunshot fired during the festivities is more than tradition; it is a living tribute to a rare man who shepherded Odilleh through its formative years and anchored it firmly in Banjul’s cultural landscape.

After sixty years of Awoo leadership in this sub-region, the words ring true: Nyunge waa Odilleh musu nyor fateh dameba, kon nyu delor paaka cha mbaraam. The foundations Pa Daniels laid were solid, enduring, and communal. He taught Odilleh to “falla di betteh,” to live without worry, grounded in unity and purpose.

That lesson continues to guide the society, just as the rock he laid at Louvell Square remains a physical and symbolic testament to his vision.

Today, Pa Daniels is celebrated not only for what he did but also for what he sowed: love, warmth, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to people. His candor remains a guiding light, his legacy woven permanently into the fabric of Banjul’s cultural festivities and The Gambia’s collective memory.

To the family he left behind, the Odilleh community extends profound gratitude for sharing such a rare gem with the nation.

We salute your memory, Taidan.

Jerrejef Daniels.

Eku Bolageh.

Akoway General

Odilleh Hunting Society

Circa 2012