BAN-FAABA is the organizational effort to service and support Binham Brassa - Balanta people - worldwide. The Balanta B’urassa History & Genealogy Society in America (BBHAGSIA) serves as the BAN-FAABA USA Coordinator.
In March of 2021, the Vice President of BBHGSIA, Sansau Tchimna visited Guinea Bissau for the second time. Through the help of Balanta diviners called “b’sika”, he was able to pinpoint the villages that his paternal Balanta ancestor ‘Benumma’ possibly lived in.
These were the villages of Totinha and Encheia. Sansau made a pilgrimage to Encheia, which is located along the Mansoa River in Guinea-Bissau.
During his homecoming he was warmly welcomed by the local binham (people). He was even able to personally take part in a traditional age grade ceremony called “Nghaie”
According to the B'lanté b'ndâng (initiated elders), Encheia was a major "stronghold" for the Balanta resistance of the Portuguese since the 1500s. While there, Sansau was hosted by Binhan Ncanhe who is the village's local doctor. Sansau stayed at Binhan’s home which also serves as the local clinic (this building was built by a non-profit in Japan). While there, Sansau had the honor to sit and discuss with the b'lanté/b'nín b'ndang (initiated elders). The main topic discussed was the history and legacy of colonialism on both biñam B'rassa (Balanta people) in Afrika and America.
One symptom of such oppression was the under-development of the infrastructure of Balanta communities because of constant war with Europeans and their conspirators. The modern implication of this in Ntheía is the lack of basic resources like clean water, modern medicine, and adequate educational infrastructure. These are social and direct determinants of health. So as someone who studied global health in university, Sansau was determined to help in any way possible.
The discussions came to a head when Binhan explained that the village is suffering from brain-drain and youth flight, which sees many young people leaving to Bissau. This leaves the elders with much of the agricultural work, which sometimes causes injuries among them
Binhan told me that the biggest challenge he faces is school retention. The issue is that students often miss school because there is a lack of medicine to treat illnesses like abdominal cramps, and simple fever. Apparently the schools have a limited stock of basic medications like Analgesics, Anti-inflammatories, and Antibiotics.
Binhan cares deeply for the education and health of his fellow biñam B'rassa (Balanta people), and is currently working on initiatives to improve these aspects of their lives.
To remedy this, the BBHAGSIA Women's Committee recently donated funds to go towards buying a supply of these medications for the upcoming school year.
The funds have been received and the medical supplies purchased. N'sûmandé n'fûng binham da (I am proud to be able to assist my people) .
This is another example of the work being accomplished by BAN-FAABA.
