Gambia is a small country in West Africa with population of about 2.3million persons. It shares boundary with Senegal with a narrow Atlantic coastline. It is known for its diverse ecosystems around the central Gambia River. Kiang West National park and Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve is a home for wildlife such as Monkeys, leopards, hyenas, hippos and rare birds. Its official language is English, the capital is Banjul and nearby Serrekunda offer access to beaches. There are eight main ethnic groups in Gambia; Mandinka, Fula, Wolof, Jola, Soninke, Serer, Mande, Serahule.
TRENDING FASHION IN GAMBIA
ACCESSORIES IN GAMBIA
Gambia has many unique accessories, ranging from gold to diamond and silver, some are made from fabric design and beads, while some are of different colours and country’s map.
TRIBES IN GAMBIA AND THEIR FASHION
Mandinka
They are West African people spread across parts of Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal. They have the highest population in Gambia, they make up 42% of Gambians population. They are known for their agricultural activities/ occupation. They dress on hand-dyed fabric, adorned with beads.
The Fula/Fulani
The ethnic group spread all over Africa. It made up 18% of Gambia’s total population. They are known for cattle herding occupation.
The Wolof
They are very prominent in the capital city of Banjul and prominent in the Senegambia region. Their language is the lingua franca for Gambia and can be heard being spoken in trading centres and family compounds. In up-river area of Gambia they are called the Fanafa.
TOURIST AND HISTORICAL PLACES IN GAMBIA
Although Gambia is a small country, it offers wide variety of sites offering tourist excursions and attractions. There are many land-based tours, mixed excursions and river trips organized by foreigners, as well as local based ground tour operators.
Abuko Nature Reserve – Gambia’s first reserve, rich in Gambian wildlife
Wassu Stone Circles – these circles are believed to be burial sites for ancient kings and chiefs
The Albert Market – the activity hub of Banjul, named after Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband
Tanji Fish Market – a place to enjoy fishes of different type right by the river side
Serrekunda – a market town, you can find batik factory, where tie-dyed and batik fabrics are made
Sanyang Village and Beach – considered by many to be the best beachfront in all of the Gambia
Old town – unruly assortment of fading colonial buildings and traditional Krio-style clapboard homes
Makasutu Culture Forest – this is a private woodland reserve dedicated to ecotourism in Kombo district
Kachikally Crocodile Pool – the local believe in the healing powers of the water
Janjangbureh – an old colonial administrative hub located on MacCarthy Island in the Gambia River
Brufut Beach – it sits between the Kombo South District and the Atlantic Ocean
Bijilo Forest Park –a small reserve also known as monkey park, point of pride for nearby locals
Banjul – the capital of Gambia, it is a port city located on Saint Mary’s Island
The Gambia River – popular tourist place that gives access to the interior as well as Senegal and Guinea
MUSIC AND ART WORK IN GAMBIA
Music in Gambia is close to that of the neighbouring country, Senegal which surrounds its inland frontiers completely. Mbalax is a widely known music dance of the Gambians and close-by Senegal. It fuses popular western music and dance, with sabar, the traditional drumming and dance music of the Wolof and Serer people.
Some musicians in Gambia:
Sona Jobarteh
Foday Musa Suso
Art work in Gambia include:
MEALS IN GAMBIA
Gambia have delicious meals to make your trip a lovely one. Meals from fish, rice, black-eyed peas, fruits and vegetables as well as variety of spices and herbs.
Mbahal – a smoked fish dish prepared with groundnut, locust bean, rice, onions, chilies and jattoo.
Domoda – a popular groundnut soup made from unsweetened peanut butter/paste.
Chicken Yassa – a popular Gambian dish either spicy chicken or fish, with lots of onion and lemon juice.
Caldo – made with chicken and small lemon added to make it tasty.
Chakery – sweet and creamy pudding made from couscous.
Supakanja – Gambian vegetable soup, made from okra.
Mbahal
Domoda
Chicken Yassa
Caldo
Chakery
Supakanja
Benachin – typical jollof rice, known as wollof in Senegal.
Afra/Dibi – street food in Gambia, grilled meat ranging from lamb to mutton.
Thiakry or Degue – a sweet millet dish, mixed with milk, yoghurt, dried fruit and spices.
Pepper soup – hot and spicy delicious meal in Gambia, made from protein and can be eaten with rice.
Plasas – a vegetable soup popularly eaten in West Africa.
Ebbeh – a stew usually thickened with chunks of cassava tube and garnished with flaked fish.
Benachin
Afra/Dibi
Thiakry or Degue
Pepper soup
Plasas
Ebbeh
Oyster stew – a popular stew in the United States and Gambia, made from oysters.
Nyambeh Nyebbeh – a meal from mixture of cassava, soup stock, onion and spices.
Oyster stew
Nyambeh Nyebbeh
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND HABITAT PROTECTION IN GAMBIA
There are valuable forestry resources in Gambia. These resources are central to the Gambian environment and economic development. The forest cover includes woodland, savannah woodlands, trees and shrub savannah and Mangroves. There are reserves where wildlives are also protected in Gambia. Animals such as Nile crocodiles, bushpigs, monitor lizard, puff adders etc.
EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN GAMBIA
Rise is sea level and coastal erosion present serious long-term challenges to Gambia’s development. There is concensus that climate change could result to about 1m rise in sea level, therefore could cover over 8% of the country’s land area.
Irregular rainfall on the other hand has devastating impact on farmers in Gambia. With these, there would be intense drought.
GENDER EQUALITY IN GAMBIA
The government of Gambia recognizes that sustainable economic and social development of the country requires full participation of women, men, girls and boys. The voices of women are heard. Women participate in politics, economic decision, enterprenuership and education. Prominent women in Gambia include:
Fatou Bom Bensouda – a Gambian lawyer and a prosecutor of cases under international criminal law.
Mama Fatima Singhateh – a Gambian lawyer, judge and politician, served as minister of Justice.
Amie Ndoungou Drammeh Bensouda – a lawyer and politician, first female Solicitor general of Gambia.
Dr. Isatou Touray – first Gambian woman in the country’s history to run for office of President.
Fatou Bom Bensouda
Mama Fatima Singhateh
Amie Ndoungou Drammeh Bensouda
Dr. Isatou Touray
Fatou Saine Gaye – award-winning entreprenuer and Executive Director of Gaye Niorro Skills Academy.
Lilian Azizi – Gambian enterprenuer and Chief Executive Officer of Afriq Cars.
Jaha Dukureh – Gambian activist and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize nominee.
Isatou Ceesay – an environmentalist educating rural communities in Gambia about recycling of plastics.
Fatou Saine Gaye
Lilian Azizi
Jaha Dukureh
Isatou Ceesay
