Omar Màlle Caam was an early and close disciple and muqaddam of Baay Ñas and is said to have been the first to apply the nickname “Baay.” Because he was not an Arabic scholar, he is generally not counted among the giants of the Fayḍah, but he inducted many people into the movement and played an important role in the history of Medina Baay.

Family and origin

Omar Màlle Caam was born in the village of Kër Tafaa. His father was Ibra Yaasin Caam, son of Tafaa Caam (whom Kër Tafaa is named after), son of Alasaan Caam. Alasaan Caam was the twin of Uséynu Caam and came to Saalum whereas his twin went to Medina Gónaas. Both were well known sëriñs and made a living making amulets and copying religious texts. Alasaan left Jolof for Gambia and then came back to what is now Kër Tafaa in Saalum. The mother of Alasaan and Uséynu was a younger sister of Allaaji Omar Taal.¹ Kabiir Caam of Mbittéyeen Abdu says the two worked in the field of sëriñ tariyaax. They left Jolof, he says, for several reasons: “for the Qurᵓān” (religious reasons), “to work, because of bad rains,” and because “the white men were bothering them.”

Notes

1. See interview with Kabiir Caam, Mbittéyeen Abdu, by Yuunus Caam, 2004, transcribed by Aadi Faal.