Musa D. Ronsho in APC VICTORY 2017- expresses doubt about the authenticity of ths supposed BAI BUREH photograph. Is This Really Our Bai Bureh?
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| Bai Bureh Photograph: Is It authentic? |
The discovery of a
supposedly authentic photograph of Bai Bureh took many Sierra Leoneans to the
seventh heaven. As newspapers ran the story of the invaluable find, Sierra
Leoneans were thrilled that finally we can now see the “actual” face of Sierra
Leone’s most prominent hero-Bai Bureh. I wish I can join the company of
ecstatic Sierra Leoneans and say definitely that’s the picture and face of Bai
Bureh. However, I am reluctant to accept the photograph of Bai Bureh as genuine
without advance authentication. Why?
Our view of Bai Bureh
is dear and sacrosanct for us to readily accept any photograph of him as
reliable. I was the master of ceremony for the SL Independence Day dinner and
dance in the Pacific Northwest of the US. During the celebrations, I asked the
children to name a male and female Sierra Leone hero. 8 year old Elizabeth who
was born in the US and has never been to Sierra Leone yelled out “Bai Bureh and
Madam Yoko.” Ask children of Sierra Leonean lineage around the world to name a
national hero. The name Bai Bureh is easily the most constructive choice.
Alongside his name,
most Sierra Leoneans would attempt to sketch out the well-established image of
Bai Bureh sitting on a case. His image is on our national currency and Bai
Bureh sculptures are erected across the nation especially in Freetown. Bai
Bureh is an icon and idol, whose established image is emblematic of genuine
grassroots resistance and patriotism. Are we without doubt going to trade the
image of Bai Bureh edged in our minds for a photo bought on eBay whose
authentication we know nothing about? Are Sierra Leonean scholars enjoying the
euphoria of the so-called discovery to the point of failing to ask the
appropriate and scholastic questions?
Who put the said photo of Bai Bureh on eBay for sale? How did
they get to be in possession and control of such a priceless photograph that
could revolutionize an entire nation regarding the edged-in-stone image of her
number one hero? What valuable historical records do the British and GoSL have
under lock and key written in partnership with the photograph? Has someone just
pulled off a new millennium prank on Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad passing
off an artwork as the image of our venerated hero? Do those involve know the
dangers of carelessly playing with a nation’s emotions?
EBay is not a credible
source for such finds. Recently, the presumably “original recipe” for Coca-cola
was on eBay for sale. It made headline news in the US as the media tried to
ascertain the formula’s authenticity. Many reporters after asking the right questions
coupled with their investigations concluded the recipe was not authentic.
Cyberspace has made it convenient for hidden treasures around the world to come
into the public’s view as individuals try to earn financial gains for their
collections and possessions. The truth is there are scam artists out there who
will do anything to take others for a ride by trying to pass off replicas and
disingenuous items as real. Could the photograph of Bai Bureh be a fake, phony,
false, forged, bogus, sham, and counterfeit picture designed with the exclusive
objective of fleecing the Sierra Leonean people?
There are many ways to test the authenticity of the
photograph. I assume here that for trumping the find as “actual” not much has
been done otherwise. The date can be easily tested. More information is needed
before I can convincingly say indeed I have seen the actual face of Bai Bureh.
I question the hat on the individual’s head. Why? I here assume that the style
is of a later date than the Bai Bureh era. Also, I doubt Bai Bureh would have
been holding a white handkerchief so comfortably; it goes against the little I
know about Sierra Leone’s number one warrior-hero. Finally, unlike the
individual and the soldier standing next to him whose images are shape and clear,
those in the background looks like a clever and scheming work of art. The
painter in my opinion was only interested in portraying a distinct image of the
two in front while leaving those in the background fuzzy.
I stand to be corrected as I publicly register my doubts
about the photograph of an unknown individual being passed-off as that of Bai
Bureh. I am not willing to surrender the lasting image of our nation’s number
one HERO for that of a forged photograph purchased on eBay. Much as it makes for
great headlines and good publicity for local tourism, the impact to our
national psyche is too great for such short-term benefits. More than crowning
ceremonial PCs and dancing around the villages, it is perhaps time for us to
make known that the established image of Bai Bureh before now is untouchable. I
am appalled that our leaders have submitted to this fake photograph without a
struggle. Wow! Bai Bureh is not thrilled because we are letting him down once
again.
Click Link and Read on - Thanks to Cocorioko -Rev Wilfred Kabs-Kanu
http://www.cocorioko.net/?p=47756
Click Link and Read on - Thanks to Cocorioko -Rev Wilfred Kabs-Kanu
http://www.cocorioko.net/?p=47756
