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A Toubab
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A Toubab pronounced too-bab is the generic name for a white person in West and Central Africa
It is not a derogatory term of address and is more especially used in The Gambia and Sénégal.

In the two major languages of the region, Toubab is the Wolof word and Toubabo is Mandinka.
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Depending on which you wish to believe .. the name Toubab has many suggested derivations,
amongst which are: A corruption of the Arab word "Tabib" meaning doctor, or "Toub" in the Wolof language, "Tubi" in Mandinka .. meaning 'to convert' .. as the early doctors and missionaries during colonial times, were whites coming from Europe. Some also say that it is derived from the two bob
( two shilling ) coin of pre-decimalisation UK currency, when The Gambia was a British Colony. However, the most likely earliest derivation is from the Wolof word for Europe "Tougal". Logically,
in the same way that Wolof means the people of Jollof .. Toubab means the people of Tougal.
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This Website contains travellers tales of one such Toubab, based in the United Kingdom,
but fortunate to be able to regularly travel to the countries of West Africa and other less well known areas of the world, in pursuit of his interest in African Trade Beads and foreign cultures.
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Within the text are many beautiful photographs, references and links to the actual beads, curios and other 'treasures' found en route. Additionally, for your entertainment, are jokes, amusing anecdotes, fun animations and reference links to some of the clever and interesting Website pages to be found on the Internet, which have been supplied by family and friends worldwide.
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Hopefully the following pages will entertain you .. possibly bring back fond memories of places you have also visited or inform you about other areas of the world which you may not have seen.
Maybe it will promote some further interest and give you the impetus to make that journey and see those sights that you have always wanted to .. further enriching your own life.
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Welcome to you all .. enjoy !