B. Mbye Cham (1947–2025), Gambian Scholar and Film Maker Passes Away at 78
Professor B. Mbye Cham, a pioneering Gambian scholar and filmmaker at Howard University, has passed away at the age of 78. Known for his profound contributions to African film and literature, his legacy continues to inspire generations across continents.
My good friend and scholarly mentor B. Mbye Cham, Distinguished Professor of African Literature and Film at Howard University, has died at 78. A pioneer Gambian scholar, he stood alongside the likes of Professors Sulayman Nyang and Lamin Sanneh. Cham’s work bridged African cinema, literature, and cultural heritage.
Born in Banjul in 1947, Prof. Cham pursued his education across three continents—Africa, Europe, and America—earning his PhD in African Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1978. From 1980 until his passing, he served at Howard University, where he became a tenured professor and chaired the African Studies Centre.
He contributed immensely to African cinema studies and served on juries at international film festivals, including FESPACO in Burkina Faso and the Zanzibar Film Festival. His film projects, including documentaries on Gambian sculptor Ebou Sillah and the “Ghana Boys,” showcased his lifelong commitment to African storytelling.
His death marks the loss of one of The Gambia’s most distinguished academics, whose works continue to influence African scholarship and cinema worldwide.
B. Mbye Cham, Gambian scholar of Literature and African Film, born in Bathurst in 1947, died in the USA on August 29, 2025.
