Gambia Tourism And Travel

Tourism & Travel The Gambia

2010-09-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

Responsible tourism policy for Gambia
The Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Gambian Tourism Authority and the Tourism and Travel Association worked together to form what is referred to as ‘the responsible tourism policy for Gambia’. Its main objective is to increase the contribution of tourism to the economy and to raise the living standards of Gambians by maximising the positive impacts of tourism and minimising the negative ones.

Eco-tourism an emerging trend
Eco-tourism is an important and rapidly growing niche within the travel and tourism industry. Gambia is in a great position to capitalise on this, but recognises the need to develop a sustainable eco-tourism programme since the country has only a few national parks and wildlife reserves that lack accessibility and comfort for tourists. Therefore, in addition to regulating its development and ensuring that real benefits are felt in local communities, it is also aiming at minimising future environmental impact.

Bright outlook for tourism in Gambia
The travel and tourism industry in Gambia has a very bright future, particularly considering the active role being played by the government to grow and diversify the market. The present initiatives that have been introduced by the Gambian Tourism Authority and the Tourism and Travel Association will have a significant positive impact on the industry and domestic economy over the mid to long term. It is also expected that as the tourism industry diversifies, Gambia will become a place to visit all year round.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.
Please visit our website http://www.ttag.gm/
Calabash Entertainment
Gambia River Excursions
Gambia Tours
Gamtech
Gamtours
Jane’s Boats
Kotu Point Beach Bar
Luigi’s Complex
Luigi’s Complex 2
Makasutu
Quality Catering
West African Tours
West African Tours 2

Gambia seals energy deal with Malaysian Company

2010-08-29T07:46:00.000-07:00

The Gambian government has signed an energy agreement with a Malaysian Company (Clearlink) under which it would be provided with adequate power generation, transmission and distribution, PANA reported Saturday.

Mohammed Noordin Zaini, a top official of the Malaysian Company who is part of a Malaysian delegation on a working visit to the country, signed for his company w hile Gambia's National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) Managing Director, Momodou Jallow, signed on behalf of the Gambian government.

Shortly after signing the agreement, Mr. Zaini reportedly expressed his company's commitment towards the project.

He described the deal as one which would be 'a win-win situation' for both parties.

A Major Tourism Boom Awaits Gambia

2010-07-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

The tiny nation of The Gambia—a popular holiday resort for Western tourists, would soon witnessed a dramatic transformation on its tourism industry policies, with the view of restoring tourists and investors confidence, President Yahya Jammeh has declared.

Mr. Jammeh believes that tourism is an important sector in the nation’s economy, which accounts for the greater percentage of Gambia’s Gross Domestic Product—known as (GDP). Mr. Jammeh opined that such an important sector needs to be given the attention it deserved in the interest fulfilling the nation’s economic agenda—which is to transform the mini West African state into an economic power in the region.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.

Please visit our website http://www.ttag.gm/
Calabash Entertainment
Gambia River Excursions
Gambia Tours
Gamtech
Gamtours
Jane’s Boats
Kotu Point Beach Bar
Luigi’s Complex
Luigi’s Complex 2
Makasutu
Quality Catering
West African Tours
West African Tours 2

The Gambia Great Tourism Potential

2010-06-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

Delegates who attended the 35th Annual Congress of the African Travel Association (ATA) say they appreciate The Gambia as a great potential for harnessing the 'untapped' tourism market in the continent, PANA reported from here Thursday.

They said that they had learnt great lessons from The Gambian experience and believed that the country could be a model for the Africa's tourism industry with specific regards to the development pace of the industry.

"The Gambia is situated in a strategic position and has a great potential for the sustainability of the tourism market," they said, nothing that the traditional and cultural heritage in the West African country painted a mental picture of "the norms and values of our great ancestors".

The delegates were taken on a conducted tour, organized by The Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA), to historical sites like the James Island and Juffureh (a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site) which was the base for the transportation of slaves from The Gambia, across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World of the Americas.

They also visited the Eco Tourism Centres at the GIG Farm, Mama Africa Museum Centre in Brufut and the President's Village of Kanilai , which has been transformed into a cultural stronghold by The Gambian leader.

Kanilai is known for hosting the country's biggest annual cultural jamboree, the Kanilai Cultural Festival.

Having seen just a few tourist centres, Mr. Ogo Sow, the first African Immigrant and Expatriate to start a Radio Programme in the United States and Canada, aimed at promoting African tradition and positive image, said the delegates had a lot to learn from The Gambia.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.
Please visit our website http://www.ttag.gm/
Calabash Entertainment
Gambia River Excursions
Gambia Tours
Gamtech
Gamtours
Jane’s Boats
Kotu Point Beach Bar
Luigi’s Complex
Luigi’s Complex 2
Makasutu
Quality Catering
West African Tours
West African Tours 2

The Gambia Hosts ATA World Congress

2010-05-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

GAMBIA, May 20, 2010 – The Africa Travel Association’s 35th Annual Congress ended today with a commitment among Africa’s tourism stakeholders to boost efforts to develop new public-private partnerships devoted to advocating for and developing the tourism industry in Africa. Honorable Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, The Gambia Minister of Tourism and Culture and incoming ATA President, closed the event that was attended by more than 300 participants as well as press from Africa, Europe and North America.

In her closing remarks, the Minister highlighted the importance of tourism as an engine for economic growth and prosperity. She also said, “This may mark the end of a successful event, but it also marks the beginning of our joint efforts to work in partnership with the public and private sector to promote the travel and tourism industry to and within Africa. The Gambia was a proud host of this event and hopes that our infectious spirit will inspire other countries and tourism stakeholders to take action.”

At the meeting, ATA announced a number of milestones for making a strong case for increased
investment in Africa’s tourism industry. “ATA members and friends and supporters have shown that we are truly committed to promoting tourism to Africa as a means to promoting socioeconomic development,” said Edward Bergman, ATA Executive Director. “I know that when we return to our home countries, we will continue to work in partnership with tourism stakeholders in the public and private sectors to promote the industry and inspire others to follow our example.”

Congress milestones include the following:
The announcement of the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Africa Union and ATA. The MOU, which was signed by Honorable Shamsa Mwangunga, outgoing ATA President, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania, and Dr. Elham M.A. Ibrahim, Africa Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, declares that the two organizations undertake a commitment to develop collaboration in the area of travel and tourism promotion.

The launch of a joint effort by New York University’s Africa House, the World Bank and ATA to make a case for developing Africa’s tourism industry with the preparation of the joint publication The State of Tourism in Africa. Using facts, figures and stories, the report paints a picture of the current and potential impact of tourism on both a country’s and a region’s development strategy. The report also advocates for increased attention and resource allocation from national governments to the tourism industry.

During the industry workshops and networking events, ATA and UNWTO engaged in discussions on how the two global organizations would pursue collaboration and cooperation in the areas of travel and tourism development in Africa in the future.

The Gambia Organizing Committee announced its commitment to hosting the first “Carbon Off-Set Free” ATA congress. In addition to planting seedlings to grow an “ATA Forest” at the GIG Forest, the Committee limited the “carbon footprint” of the congress by ordering produce from the award-winning project Gambia is Good. GIG sources all its produce from local producers.

As a sign of his commitment to developing The Gambia’s tourism industry, President of The Republic of the Gambia, Sheikh Professor Dr. Alhaji Yaya A. J. J. Jammeh, hosted the delegates at a number of special events, including a visit to his home village, Kanilai, and a gala dinner and evening of entertainment at the Sheraton Hotel Spa and Resort.

In what has become an ATA congress tradition over the last few years, Shamsa Mwangunga
(MP), ATA President and Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of
Tanzania hosted a special evening of dinner and dancing held at the five-star Ocean Bay Hotel.

On the first of two Host Country days, delegates visited James lsland and Juffureh. James
Island is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was a base of transportation of slaves from The Gambia to other parts of the world. At James Island, delegates participated in a special memorial, in which they floated flower wreathes down the River Gambia and stood in a moment of silence. Delegates were also asked to consider making a donation for the restoration of the jetty to James Island. The project was organized in cooperation with U.S. Ambassador Barry Wells.

Following the day-long visit to James Island and Juffreh, the delegates enjoyed a special cocktail reception at the luxury hotel, Coco Ocean Resort and Spa. The evening event was cohosted by the US Ambassador to The Gambia, Honorable Barry Wells.

Under the banner “Discover Africa’s Genuine Warmth,” the ATA-Gambia event brought together tourism ministers and more than 300 travel industry professionals from across Africa, Europe and North America for four days to explore the latest issues facing the travel trade industry, learn about “Destination Gambia,” and advocate for increased resources to the tourism industry.

During the congress, delegates explored the following industry topics: Sustainable Tourism in
The Gambia, Innovative and Interactive Marketing, Niche Markets and Emerging Trends,
Standards in the Hotel Market in Africa, Connecting the Africa Diaspora to Destination Africa,
and Hospitality and Tourism Education in Africa. Special sessions were held on tourism and
development, advocating for tourism resources, and partnerships with airlines serving Africa.

ATA World Congress Big Success

2010-05-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

GAMBIA, May 20, 2010 – The Africa Travel Association’s 35th Annual Congress ended today with a commitment among Africa’s tourism stakeholders to boost efforts to develop new public-private partnerships devoted to advocating for and developing the tourism industry in Africa. Honorable Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, The Gambia Minister of Tourism and Culture and incoming ATA President, closed the event that was attended by more than 300 participants as
well as press from Africa, Europe and North America.

In her closing remarks, the Minister highlighted the importance of tourism as an engine for
economic growth and prosperity. She also said, “This may mark the end of a successful event,
but it also marks the beginning of our joint efforts to work in partnership with the public and
private sector to promote the travel and tourism industry to and within Africa. The Gambia was a proud host of this event and hopes that our infectious spirit will inspire other countries and
tourism stakeholders to take action.”

At the meeting, ATA announced a number of milestones for making a strong case for increased
investment in Africa’s tourism industry. “ATA members and friends and supporters have shown that we are truly committed to promoting tourism to Africa as a means to promoting socioeconomic development,” said Edward Bergman, ATA Executive Director. “I know that when we return to our home countries, we will continue to work in partnership with tourism stakeholders in the public and private sectors to promote the industry and inspire others to follow our example.”

Congress milestones include the following:

The announcement of the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between
the Africa Union and ATA. The MOU, which was signed by Honorable Shamsa Mwangunga, outgoing ATA President, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania, and Dr. Elham M.A. Ibrahim, Africa Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, declares that the two organizations undertake a commitment to develop collaboration in the area of travel and tourism promotion.

The launch of a joint effort by New York University’s Africa House, the World Bank and ATA to make a case for developing Africa’s tourism industry with the preparation of the joint publication The State of Tourism in Africa. Using facts, figures and stories, the report paints a picture of the current and potential impact of tourism on both a country’s and a region’s development strategy. The report also advocates for increased attention and resource allocation from national governments to the tourism industry.

During the industry workshops and networking events, ATA and UNWTO engaged in
discussions on how the two global organizations would pursue collaboration and cooperation in the areas of travel and tourism development in Africa in the future.

The Gambia Organizing Committee announced its commitment to hosting the first “Carbon Off-Set Free” ATA congress. In addition to planting seedlings to grow an “ATA Forest” at the GIG Forest, the Committee limited the “carbon footprint” of the congress by ordering produce from the award-winning project Gambia is Good. GIG sources all its produce from local producers.

As a sign of his commitment to developing The Gambia’s tourism industry, President of The Republic of the Gambia, Sheikh Professor Dr. Alhaji Yaya A. J. J. Jammeh, hosted the
delegates at a number of special events, including a visit to his home village, Kanilai, and a gala dinner and evening of entertainment at the Sheraton Hotel Spa and Resort.

In what has become an ATA congress tradition over the last few years, Shamsa Mwangunga
(MP), ATA President and Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of
Tanzania hosted a special evening of dinner and dancing held at the five-star Ocean Bay Hotel.

On the first of two Host Country days, delegates visited James lsland and Juffureh. James
Island is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was a base of transportation of slaves from The Gambia to other parts of the world. At James Island, delegates participated in a special memorial, in which they floated flower wreathes down the River Gambia and stood in a moment of silence. Delegates were also asked to consider making a donation for the restoration of the jetty to James Island. The project was organized in cooperation with U.S. Ambassador Barry Wells.

Following the day-long visit to James Island and Juffreh, the delegates enjoyed a special
cocktail reception at the luxury hotel, Coco Ocean Resort and Spa. The evening event was cohosted by the US Ambassador to The Gambia, Honorable Barry Wells.

Under the banner “Discover Africa’s Genuine Warmth,” the ATA-Gambia event brought together tourism ministers and more than 300 travel industry professionals from across Africa, Europe and North America for four days to explore the latest issues facing the travel trade industry, learn about “Destination Gambia,” and advocate for increased resources to the tourism industry.

During the congress, delegates explored the following industry topics: Sustainable Tourism in
The Gambia, Innovative and Interactive Marketing, Niche Markets and Emerging Trends,
Standards in the Hotel Market in Africa, Connecting the Africa Diaspora to Destination Africa,
and Hospitality and Tourism Education in Africa. Special sessions were held on tourism and
development, advocating for tourism resources, and partnerships with airlines serving Africa.

Kanili Festival 2010 Opens

2010-05-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

Kanilai, the home village of the Gambian leader, will be involved in a long weekened celebration of culture as the much-hyped Kanilai International Cultural Festival kick-starts this month in Kanilai Foni Kansala District. The event, which will run from 21st May to 7th June 2010 under the distinguished chief patronage of His Excellency President Sheikh professor Dr. Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, is designed to revive, promote and develop our rich cultural heritage and showcase the diverse performance traditions of different ethnic groups of the sub-region.

Gambia Restaurants

2010-04-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

No holiday is complete without good food! One of The Gambia’s best kept secret is the vast variety of restaurants. The Gambia is a mixing pot of culinary delights, you will find food from all parts of the world such as Chinese, Indian, Thai. African, Afro-American, Jamaican. British, Italian, French, Lebanese and even Moroccan. Quality speaks for its self so to find the best restaurant ask your Rep for the most well established places to eat:

Kotu and Kololi offer a quieter atmosphere for a more relaxed holiday, fewer bars and restaurants more modest entertainment with a couple of bars with live music playing tracks from the 60s, 70s and 80s, and Karaoke Nights.

Luigi’s Pizza and Pasta House: is located on Palma Rima Rd, Kotu Beach. Renowned for it‘s “Good Food” the menu has a wide selection of Italian and British food. Set on 2 floors, the second floor balcony offers a relaxed atmosphere overlooking the sea. It‘s a great place to watch the sun go down! and on the ground floor is an ideal place for families offering kids menu and play area. Open all day from 8am serving full English breakfast, lunch and evening meals till 11.30pm. Kids meals D125 The Senegambia is the busiest area offering many bars, restaurants and night

clubs. It is one of the best places for people looking for an exciting night life. “The

Senegambia Strip” really comes to life after dark with an array of bars playing live music, karaoke, big screen sports TV and many fast food outlets.

Cheerz offers a great friendly atmosphere with all that you would expect from a family run business, situated at the top of Senegambia Strip on the High Rd. There are a number of night clubs in the area which play ear-splitting modern music as well as reggae sounds. They normally get going after midnight; the entrance fees are reasonable at all the nightclubs, charging D100/D250 entrance fee.

The cheaper night clubs are frequented by (Bumpsters) locals youths looking to make “a friend” and tag along, so do go along with someone you know. For the “night owl” Quality Catering are open 24 hours on the corner of the Senegambia Junction for a quick snack after dancing the night away. Always clean and freshly made while you wait!

Local foods are worth trying. A word of warning, be prepared to eat a bit more than “just a little spice” – Gambians like their food hot! The food is a melting pot for all the nations and tribes from the sub-regions who live in harmony and enjoy sharing food from all cultures. If you interact with local people don‘t be surprised to be invited to a compound to share a meal as the Gambian culture is very friendly and hospitable.

Food is always shared, normally a group will eat from one bowl. As a guest you will be offered a spoon and sometimes your own plate! It is said you will not argue with someone you share a bowl of food with! Fish plays a major part in Gambian cuisine due to the variety of fish available in both river and sea. Oysters fresh from the creeks make a quick and easy stew, Ebeh is made from an amazing array of ingredients including smoked fish, crabs, oysters and fish eggs amongst other things. Benachin meaning “one pot” is the equivalent of an Italian risotto or a Spanish paella. The beach bars are the best place to find many of the local tasty dishes. Some are better than others so choose wisely. Some bars don’t have electricity or running water, so keep this in mind when ordering food!

Nefertiti Beach Bar, Banjul offers a great location with a fresh menu local food and snacks daily and Kotu Point Beach Bar, Kotu offers a B-B-Q every Saturday lunch time, join in the fun, come Jamming with Lamin and try your hand at drumming!

Local Drinks

The most popular are Wonjo and Baobab. Wonjo juice is made from the dried red flowers of the Sorrel, which are boiled with sugar to make a refreshing, sweet drink full of Vitamin C. Baobab juice is made from the fruit of the Baobab tree. The fruit is soaked in water, sieved and the seeds extracted. The pulp is then mixed with a little sugar to make the base juice. Other ingredients can be added according to taste; the most popular are milk and coconut, but it is also tasty with mango, papaya or banana – making a thick natural smoothie. Both Wonjo and Baobab are very nutritious, healthy and with a unique flavour. They also make a wonderful cocktail when mixed together.

Great African Secret

Locally people use these drinks as regular source of nutrition, in Europe it had been forgotten. During World War 2 it was given to soldiers in bread to prevent scurvy. Recently rediscovered it is being branded as a super food of the future. It has been clinically proven that it is a pro-biotic with 5 times more vitamin C than an orange and twice as much more calcium than a glass off milk as well as containing antioxidants and Omega 3-6-9.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.

Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Calabash Entertainment

Gambia River Excursions

Gambia Tours

Gamtech

Gamtours

Jane’s Boats

Kotu Point Beach Bar

Luigi’s Complex

Luigi’s Complex 2

Makasutu

Quality Catering

West African Tours

West African Tours 2

TTAG Blog

2010-04-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

We have created this interactive weblog to help create a better understanding of your holiday destination, to give an insight into its rich history and culture and to let you know what is acceptable in Gambian society and what is not.

Please spare a few minutes to explore our information portal– especially if this is your first visit. You will find important information along with some interesting stories based on facts and history, and some which stem from legend and personal beliefs … peoples opinions may differ.

Most importantly please remember although the official language in The Gambia is English this does not mean everyone speaks it fluently. As you read on you will learn there are several different tribes, each with their own language. Many children have very little schooling and even less interaction with visitors please be patient with the local people as they won’t all have a good understanding. Speak slowly if someone is having difficulty understanding you. Many people have a habit of saying “YES” when they don’t understand – this is a way of avoiding embarrassment in their culture.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.

Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Calabash Entertainment

Gambia River Excursions

Gambia Tours

Gamtech

Gamtours

Jane’s Boats

Kotu Point Beach Bar

Luigi’s Complex

Luigi’s Complex 2

Makasutu

Quality Catering

West African Tours

West African Tours 2

Gambian Baobab Hits Europe and U.S.

2010-04-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

British chefs should start thinking about recipes that make use of the African baobab fruit, after the European Commission gave the green light on the use of its pulp in the UK.

The powdery pulp of the fruit, which is famously used to make the liqueur Amarula, is nutritionally high in vitamin C, calcium, iron and antioxidants, which makes it perfect for use in smoothies, cereal bars, jams and as a fruit filling. Gambians have long used the fruit pulp as a traditional food for pregnant women and children, due to its nutritious content, and is mixed with water to make refreshing drinks and as a baking ingredient. Baobab as a Super Food contains Sterols saponins and triterpenes. Studies were carried out in the laboratory showed that doses between 400 and 800 mg/kg determine a marked anti-inflammatory effect.

Baobab as a Super Food contains Thiamine and Riboflavin which optimizes development of the organs for maintaining cellular integrity of the nervous, skin and ocular systems. In addition the presence of epithelia and niacin (vitamin PP or B3) is very important to regulate many metabolic functions.

Furthermore, the fruit contributes to the injection of some essential minerals and essential fatty acids. In fact, 100 g of pulp contains an average of 293 mg of calcium, 2.31 mg of potassium, 96-118 mg of phosphor and alpha-linoleic acid (27 mg of acid per gram of dry product).

Baobab as a Super Food contains Omega 9 which provides protection against cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, skin conditions, depression and other mood related disorders and strokes. Baobab contains a blend of all 3 of the important fatty acids EPA, GLA and OA making it an excellent choice as an omega 3 6 9 supplement.

Baobab as a Super Food contains tannins (astringent), mucilage (wetting), cellulose and citric acid. The particularity of Baobab fruit pulp is that it is effective against diarrhea.

Probiotic products are living microbial food supplements, which beneficially affect the host animal by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of beneficial micro flora improving its intestinal microbial balance. Tests carried out by Adesanya et al. (1988) showed that the pulp could be used to treat sickle cell anemia, as it showed considerable antisickling activity. Tannins, mucilage, cellulose, citric acid and other typical constituents of the fruit pulp may be responsible for its effect against diarrhea. The soluble fibers of baobab combine the pre-biotic and pro-biotic aspects in a single product.

In traditional pharmacopoeia, it is used as an intestinal regulator, prevention and treatment of gastric and IBS disorders, osteoporosis, varicose veins, dysentery, haemoptysis, small pox, measles, hemorrhoids, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-diarrheal, anti-oxidant, excellent source of dietary fibers, analgesic, hepatoprotective febrifuge anti-diabetic and antipyretic activities.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.

Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Calabash Entertainment

Gambia River Excursions

Gambia Tours

Gamtech

Gamtours

Jane’s Boats

Kotu Point Beach Bar

Luigi’s Complex

Luigi’s Complex 2

Makasutu

Quality Catering

West African Tours

West African Tours 2

We Love The Gambia

2010-03-25T06:34:00.000-07:00

The Gambia is a peaceful country with many smiling faces. The population is 90% Muslim and 10% Christian and other religions. The different ethnic and religious groups live alongside each other in harmony and celebrate each other’s holidays and festivals and even inter-marry freely.

The Gambia is a developing country with a good track record of economic growth in recent years. The main sources of revenue for Gambia is groundnuts (peanuts), and fishing and agriculture still provide a living for most Gambians. For the past ten years tourism has been the fastest growing sector in the economy, providing more than 30% of the GDP.

You as our guest are highly valued and it is our business to make your stay a pleasurable one. We are always interested in your opinions to help us build and improve our service. We hope you will find this guide helpful and we most sincerely wish you a very pleasant stay in the Gambia!

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.

Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Calabash Entertainment

Gambia River Excursions

Gambia Tours

Gamtech

Gamtours

Jane’s Boats

Kotu Point Beach Bar

Luigi’s Complex

Luigi’s Complex 2

Makasutu

Quality Catering

West African Tours

West African Tours 2

Dogs and Cats in Gambia

2010-03-17T20:18:00.000-07:00

The welfare of Animals in and around the tourist areas are a big concern, not only for the prevention of the spread of disease but also to prevent unnecessary suffering. As part of responsible tourism, members of our association actively support Gambicats and Dogs, by way of providing accommodation and funds for overseas vets to conduct regular neutering programs and sponsor feeding during the low season when food is scarce.

GambiCats and Dogs are a UK based charity which was formed in 1998 to help improve the lives of stray cats and dogs in The Gambia. Their objective was to humanely control the cat and dog population around the hotel areas. Periodically they will arrange vets from Europe to visit The Gambia at their own cost and voluntarily conduct neutering programmes along with the local vets. All neutered cats have their left ear tipped and dogs ears are notched, which is an internationally agreed method for further recognition.

The dogs are micro-chipped and given anti-rabies injections. The Department of Livestock Services have endorsed these method as a responsible and humane measures to control stray animals. Since support for the charity has grown there have been a number of Cat Cafe’s and Dog’s Diner’s opened in some of the hotels where the cats and dogs are regularly fed and the guest can visit. If you are interested in the welfare of the animals ask at the reception if the Hotel supports Gambicats and Dogs.

They will have their brochures which will give you more information of their work. There is a permanent team of Gambian staff on the ground, lead by Dodou Bojang, who do their best to feed and ensure the welfare of the cats and beach dogs all year round, especially during the low season when the tourists go home and food is scarce.

If you would like to help with a donation please contact them on:Mobile: 9900756 Tel: 4463251 or go to their web site: www.gambicats.org.uk

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE FOOD FROM THE BREAKFAST ROOMS TO FEED ANIMALS. Member Hotels will give them food from the waste of the Restaurant.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.

Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Calabash Entertainment

Gambia River Excursions

Gambia Tours

Gamtech

Gamtours

Jane’s Boats

Kotu Point Beach Bar

Luigi’s Complex

Luigi’s Complex 2

Makasutu

Quality Catering

West African Tours

West African Tours 2

Gambia Bird Watching

2010-03-08T20:07:00.000-08:00

Seasoned ornithologists and Africa birding novices alike will find tours of The Gambia to be extremely rewarding. Since 1985 British ornithologist Clive Barlow has lived in West Africa, studying and caring for the birdlife – and so tours are available using the best current scouting information and 20+ years of West African birding experience.

Bijilo Forest Park, is a small rainforest nature reserve located on a cliff edge on the beach and within easy walking distance of the Senegambia strip. It is an ideal place for eco-tourists and birdwatchers staying in the nearby Kairaba and Senegambia hotels.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.

Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Calabash Entertainment

Gambia River Excursions

Gambia Tours

Gamtech

Gamtours

Jane’s Boats

Kotu Point Beach Bar

Luigi’s Complex

Luigi’s Complex 2

Makasutu

Quality Catering

West African Tours

West African Tours 2

West African Tours

West African Tours 2

Abuko Nature Reserve

2010-02-28T20:03:00.000-08:00

Abuko Nature Reserve is one of the oldest established reserves in the Gambia. An evergreen forest gallery follows the course of the Lamin Stream and covers approximately 1/3 of the reserve area. Efforts are being concentrated on maintaining the winding bush trails, bird photo hides and animal orphanage as well as the boundary, to prevent encroachment by people and cattle.

There are three small pools in the reserve, the biggest being the Bamboo Pool. This freshwater pond and its vicinity are a great location to spot crocodiles and birds. Abuko is within easy reach by taxi from any of the main coastal holiday resorts. It is an ideal first stop for birdwatchers, animal enthusiasts and tourists in general. There are designated guides on site to help you find animals and birds while on the forest trail – a tip is always appreciated though not mandatory!

Abuko’s area was extended from 188 to 259 acres in 1978 and, with the help of the WWF, the reserve was enclosed in a 2.5 metre fence. It is one of six protected wildlife management parks in Gambia and covers an area of 105 hectares (roughly 2 sq. km).

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.

Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Calabash Entertainment

Gambia River Excursions

Gambia Tours

Gamtech

Gamtours

Jane’s Boats

Kotu Point Beach Bar

Luigi’s Complex

Luigi’s Complex 2

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Gambia Bijilo Forest

2010-02-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

Bijilo Forest is host to over 130 species of birds such as the Red-necked Falcon, Grey Hornbill,Senegal Coucal and various Bee-eaters There are also 4 primate species, the Patas monkey, Green Vervet monkeys, Red Colobus and the Galago or Bushbaby, that inhabit the park.

Please take notice of the signs asking visitors not to feed the monkeys – as this will interfere with their natural behaviour and reduce their fear of humans, putting them in danger of being harmed or stolen.

Among the flora are lilies, wild orchids, salt-tolerant vines, magnificent silk cotton trees,palms and the odd-looking baobab tree (sometimes called the upside-down tree).

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Gambia Drums

2010-01-21T07:50:00.000-08:00

Music plays an important part of Gambian culture: “The drum” made of carved wood and goatskin seems a simple instrument, but use of the drum is not limited to musical entertainment, such as in music from the Americas or Europe. It has a serious application in many societies across the continent.

Many West African tribes are well known for their use of drumming in daily activities and special events and a native speaker of a language can often perceive an actual message in the music. This effect also forms the basis of drum languages (talking drums). In days gone by drumming was used as a way of communicating news from village to village, for example to inform members of their respective tribes about major news, such as a death, funeral, meeting, or celebration within the tribe. In the past it was used as a warning of imminent attack.

The drum is the sign of life – its beat is the heartbeat of the community. Such is the power of the drum to evoke emotions, to touch the souls of those who hear its rhythms. The beating of the drum is an opportunity to give one another a sense of belonging and of solidarity. It is a time to connect with each other, to be part of that collective rhythm of the life in which young and old, rich and poor, men and women are all invited to contribute to the society.

Traditional music is mostly functional in nature, there are for example, many different
kinds of work songs, some of the drumming that goes on in the middle of the day even
helps women and men of the tribe get daily chores done more quickly as the drums allow
them to follow a rhythm while they work, Ceremonial or religious music accompanies
childbirth, marriage, hunting, and even political activities.

Ceremonial music will often be accompanied by the Balafone and the Kora, which
produces a harp-like sound. The player uses the thumb and index finger of both hands to
pluck the strings in polyrhythmic patterns. The combination of instruments used depends
on the tribe. Male griots, or praise singers, are born into the profession. They most often
act as a solo or duo instrumentalists and are traditionally heard at weddings and infant
naming ceremonies.

They attend the ceremonies to bring good luck with their songs and
historical recitations. In some areas they may form part of a larger group that may include
Kora, Calabash, Flute and Tamo Drums. The griot or “Jali” society acted as historians,
advisors, arbitrators, praise singers and storytellers and essentially these musicians were
walking history books, preserving ancient stories and traditions through song. Their
inherited tradition was passed down through generations. They were said to have deep
connections to spiritual, social, or political powers through their music and speech. The
talking drums (Tamo) are some of the oldest instruments used by West African griots
and their history can be traced back to the ancient Ghanaian empire. Many griots have
developed a highly sophisticated genre of music centered on the talking drum.

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Gambian Crafts

2010-01-13T19:02:00.000-08:00

Wooden masks, either human, animal or some mythical creature, are one of the most common forms of art in western Africa. In their original context, masks were worn by a chosen or initiated dancer and used for celebrations, initiations, crop harvesting, and war preparation.

During a mask ceremony the dancer goes into deep trance, and while in this state,“communicates” with his ancestors. Masks can be worn in three ways: vertically covering the face: as a helmet, encasing the entire head, and as a crest, resting upon the head, usually covered by material as part of the disguise. African masks often represent a spirit and it is strongly believed that the spirit of the ancestors possesses the wearer.

Within the vicinity of most of the major tourist hotels you will find small craft markets called bengdulas made up of a number of stalls offering a selection of items such as tribal masks, wooden carvings, batiks, tie dye fabric prints, beads, gold and silver jewellery and locally made hand woven baskets. There are larger markets at Serrekunda, Bakau and, the most famous of all, Banjul’s Albert Market.

Despite the influence of tourism in creating mass production of such art, there are some really beautiful original good quality handmade items, such as leather hand bags and shoes, hand woven cloths or solid silver jewellery but you will have to search for them. Special items will be made to order for you in two or three days but they are worth the wait. Watch out for dipped silver bangles! Mostly these can be found being peddled on the beach or by street vendors.

You have to be prepared for the haggle in the markets and also be prepared to do a lot of hard bargaining, the price is always negotiable! So it depend on “your luck” as to the price you pay for any item … Our advice is to start with about 1/3 of the asking price then, depending on your bargaining skills and your common sense, it is up to you how much you pay!

DON‘T TAKE OFFENCE AT AN EXTORTIONATE PRICE …the starting price is not meant to offend or to “rip you off”! Bargaining is part of the way of life, and is meant to be part of the fun! It‘s part of the culture and should be treated light-heartedly. In the same vein the Vendor will not really take offence at your low offer even if he/she make out they are, if you cannot agree and you walk away “9 times out of 10” they will call you back …if they are not interested in your offer … then your offer was TOO LOW! If you can‘t cope with the bargaining most hotels and gift shops will have fixed price items for sale.

You will expect to pay a little more for the convenience but sometimes you may find a better selection and quality items than the local market.

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Gambian tie dye and batiks

2010-01-03T18:45:00.000-08:00

African art comes in the most wonderful abstract forms, from paintings to murals to sculptures and wood carvings. Hand woven cloth, batiks, and mudcloth can be made into soft furnishings or designed into unique high fashion clothing.

The textures and designs are underused in the western world, but in Africa the rich vibrant colours are best used in the exotic clothes which are also embroidered

with wonderful original designs. The country of origin of traditional clothes can be identified by the style and use of material

Melted beeswax is mixed with paraffin and applied to the fabric before being dipped in dye. The beeswax will bind to the fabric and the paraffin wax will allow cracking, which is a characteristic of batik. Several colours are used with a series of dyeing. Thin wax lines can be applied with a canting, a wooden handled tool with a tiny metal cup and spout, out of which the wax can seep.

Other techniques to apply the wax onto the fabric include pouring the liquid wax, painting the wax on with a brush, and applying the hot wax to pre-carved wooden or metal wire block and stamping the fabric. After the final dyeing the fabric is hung up to dry and then dipped in a solvent to dissolve the wax, or simply ironed between paper towels or newspapers to absorb the wax and reveal the deep rich colors and the fine crinkle lines that give batik its character.

Gambian tie dye and batiks are extravagant, rich in different shades of colour and are often seen at tourist markets and are tailored into men’s Kaftans (haftans), women’s yara Wollof, or warambas (grandmubas), skirts, shirts, ladies blouses, as well as bed sheets, curtains and tablecloths.

Mudcloth or bògòlanfini is a traditional Malian fabric dyed with fermented mud, particularly associated with the Bambara. Bògòlanfini is a Bambara word meaning “earthcloth.” To create it, simple cotton cloth is woven, shrunk, and then soaked in a preparation of leaves from certain trees. An artist then outlines an intricate design, often taking several weeks to cover the entire cloth, with a mud dye.

The areas of yellowish mud are then treated with caustic soda, bleaching them white and creating a stark black and white design. Traditionally, a man will do the weaving while a woman will do the dyeing. In recent years, fashion designers such as Chris Seydou have

employed bògòlanfini in international clothing lines, while Malian painter Ishmael Diabate

has developed it as a fine art form.

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Friends Celebrate Christmas 2009 at Luigis Complex

2009-12-25T13:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas traditions were being replayed at Luigis Complex as they invited friends, customers and staff to celebrate the sprit of Christmas at their annual traditional Christmas dinner.

A grand fest was laid on with no expenses spared and gifts were offered to everybody.

The celebrations kicked off at 1pm and continued into the night. The menu included roast beef, lamb, turkey, Swedes, brussel sprouts, baked potatoes, carrots, string beans, stuffing, shrimps, Christmas pudding, mince pies and more.

This year Kim Kombo contributed solar ovens which enabled the cooking to be done in an ecologically positive mode, and the food was cooked to perfection.

"I'm glad we decided to host this event," said owner Julie Maio, who opened the 12-year-old eatery with her husband Luigi Julie explained "We see our customers as family and friends, and food and company should be shared among friends"

A merry Christmas dinner in The Gambia time was had by all. Roll on next years celebrations.

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Gambian Baobab Might Improve Your Health

2009-12-22T17:47:00.000-08:00

A British woman who has lived with chronic kidney failure for 15 years claims her condition has been dramatically eased by eating a bizarre African "wonder" fruit.

Janine Franssen, 36, was diagnosed with renal failure last year and told she urgently needed a kidney transplant as her's was functioning at only 7% of normal capacity.

A scramble to find a suitable donor started and Janine was surgically fitted with equipment to allow for dialysis once her kidneys failed - which she has been told is inevitable.

She insists it is all down to drinking ground-up Baobab in water, and said: "It feels like I have won the lottery." After nine months of worrying about her failing kidneys she says she has a new outlook, although she is well aware she has not been cured.

The discovery of the fruit was made by her partner Mark who read an article about the Baobab's high concentration of vitamins and nutrients. They decided to import some to see if it could help Janine stay strong during the wait for a kidney donor.

The large, dry fruit has only been available in Europe since July 2008 and was approved by the FDA in 2009. It is said to have around six times the vitamin C content of an orange, more iron than red meat, more magnesium than spinach as well as high levels of calcium and antioxidants.

It is said that this makes it a valuable aid in the prevention and treatment of gastric and irritable bowel syndrome conditions, and effective for osteoporosis, varicose veins and even haemorrhoids. Janine grinds it down and takes it with water in the morning and afternoon.

The Clydebank woman said she was "astonished" at the difference baobab made, and she credits it with her kidney function now climbing to 20%. Janine, who lives on Dumbarton Road, told the Post: "Mark said I should try it for a couple of months to see if it could increase my kidney function - buying me some time to get donor tests completed.

"Within that first month I started to notice some changes like my hair and nails getting stronger. "The following week I had a hospital appointment to see where my kidney function was at and miraculously it had gone from seven per cent to twelve per cent. "I was amazed as was my consultant and, not only that, but my blood pressure and cholesterol had come down."

Janine knows at some point she will need a kidney transplant - when her's succumbs to the illness she has had since 1994 - and her sisters Lesley and Annsophia, boyfriend Mark and close friend Christina have all now been tested for kidney donation.

But with her improvement she has been able to return to her work as an administration assistant - something unthinkable just 12 months ago. Janine said: "I am under no illusions but I now have hope my kidneys will last a bit longer. My doctors reckon they will."

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Women's museum for The Gambia

2009-10-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

For the first time in the history of art and culture of the country, a women's museum has been established.

This somewhat rare and spirited museum is run and coordinated by Isha Fofana, a renowned Gambian female artist and coordinator of Mama Africa Art Gallery, located right on the first junction of Brusubi roundabout. The women's museum is located in Batokunku village, Kombo South of the Western Region (WR). The project upon completion will host and serve as an archive for the life efforts and makings of women in Africa from pre-colonial, colonial, Independence and post Independence era.

The first Gambian women's museum is expected among other things to the give voice, recognise talents, achievements and aspiration of women in The Gambia, Africa and the world at large. The museum is also expected to be totally different from other women's museums found in other African countries such as Senegal, Mali and Sudan. This is due to the character and style the museum will adopt in terms of artefacts and historical documentations on lives and roles of women over centuries.

The Gambian artist recently returned from the Republic of Germany,where she resided for the past couple of years. She returned in response to the Gambian leader's call for Gambians in the diaspora to invest back home. Isha Fofana held series of arts exhibitions within and outside Germany. She is widely acclaimed for her spirited artistic work and talent used mostly towards promoting arts and culture in Africa and beyond, especially The Gambia.

Isha Fofana, in a recent chat with the Arts and Culture at the site of the newly built women's museum in Batokunku,Western Region (WR), spoke extensively on the aims and objectives of the museum, her life as a female artist both in The Gambia and the Republic of Germany, and the arts and culture industry of The Gambia. The female artist explained that the women's museum project aimed among other things towards promoting the welfare of the under-privileged girls and women in The Gambia, Africa and the world at large.

To serve as a research and skills training centre for both men and women, especially school going girls in the areas of painting, drawing, batik, clay making among others. The project is also meant to promote the spirit of arts and culture, education, tourism and create employment opportunities for youths in the country. "Women's museum or museums are still very rare in Africa. The idea is however quite different from normal museums and this difference will hopefully generate interesting and topical issues in Africa and beyond. "A new thing is born in The Gambia and I am appealing to all Gambians to work hard in good faith and move the country to where it ought to be. The arts and culture industry is doing quite well but a lot remains to be done, in terms of discovering talents and creativity," she said.

Isha Fofana spoke extensively on the purpose for establishing the women's museum project. According to her, empowerment of women has always been part and parcel of life" . I am doing all I can towards empowerment of women in The Gambia and beyond such was the idea behind establishing a women's museum right here at Batokunku, which would serve as a research and training centre for both sexes, especially the school going girls. I am extremely enjoying what I am doing as an artist and I will do what I can and the rest will follow. A lot has been done in the arts and culture industry of the country, but a lot more needs to be done. interms of discovering talents and creativity among the youths.The museum project will impact possitively on the tourism sector of the country," she said.

The Gambian female artist further explained that the museum will greatly expose people to life, role and activities of women over centuries ago. She therefore called on the general public to contribute their quota towards achieving the objectives of the museum by bringing in detailed information about their great personalities both alive and dead. According to the museum's coordinator, these photos and information will be displayed within the museum for public inspection. Photographs of people like the vice president and minister of Women's Affairs , Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy will be on display in the museum.

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German Tour Operators And Journalists Arrive In The Gambia

2009-10-25T06:28:00.000-07:00

The Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA) and partners in the industry; such as Gambia Hotel Association and the Travel Association of the Gambia, yesterday, took group of journalists and tour operators from Germany to a familiarisation tour, dubbed FAM and Press Trip, to enable them experience Gambian tourism products and services.

In her presentation, the acting director general of GTA, Fatou Beyai-Baji, assured that within the next few days the high calibre professional travel journalists and tour operators will experience the best of the smiling coast in terms of tourism attraction - ranging from exotic eco-camps, trendy resorts along the coastline, to cultural encounters.

She therefore expressed her pride to be associated with the FAM Trip. “The Gambian market is of great significance to them and we want to leave no stone unturned to make impact in that market,” she remarked. This FAM and Press Trip, she hoped, will lay the foundation in their effort to penetrate the German market.

Charnel Hobeika, chairman of Tourism and Travel Association of The Gambia, said the association was originally formed as the Association of Ground Tour Operators and Equipment Hirers. The Association was purposely established with the objective of providing a well coordinated and improved service so as to ensure a safe and comfortable passage of visitors in The Gambia.

According to Hobeika, the Association is totally committed to improving standards and safety to the highest level required in the interest of the modern traveller. “Working closely with the Gambia Tourism Authority and other association such as the Gambia Hotel Association, the Association of Small Scale Enterprises in tourism and responsible tourism partnership, we are able to improve our services and quality of our products. The ground tour operator members of the TTAG do work and represent major international tour operators,” he remarked.

Ida Cham-Njie, the chairperson of the Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism (ASSET), said Gambia wants to redouble its effort in tourism in order to improve its tourism sectors by building more eco-tourism centres across the country, which will not only benefit the tourists but also the communities living there. She said Gambia is a vibrant environment for the tourists who do come for holidays, and that Gambia is achieving its sustainable tourism dream which she noted, will also help the country to generate more income.

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Gambia Tourist Season Kicks Off

2009-10-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

The Gambia 2009-2010 tourists’ season opened Thursday at the Banjul International Airport with the arrival of the first batch of more than 200 tourists from Sweden and Denmark.

Most holiday makers coming to the Gambia come mainly from the United Kingdom and the Scandinavian countries.

Speaking to journalist shortly after the arrival of the tourists, Morten Evensen, the area manager for Thomas Cook (a tour operator) said even though the world economic crisis will impact negatively on tourism, he was convinced that this year’s tourist season will be slightly better for the Gambia than predictions made by sceptics. He said the Gambia was a cheap destination and that will attract several tourists from Scandinavia.

He revealed that his company plans to bring more than 600 tourists to the Gambia every week. He said the bookings they have for this year’s season were promising.

Lamin Saho, the marketing director at the Gambia Tourism Authority, said they were facing several challenges as a result of the global economic crisis, but he was quick to add that they are now exploring new markets like Russia and Nigeria.

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Gambia commissions a new craft market for tourism development

2009-10-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

The Gambian Minister of Youth and Sports, Sheriff Gomez, on Wednesday officially commissioned a multi-million dalasis Bungalow Beach Craft Market, at a ceremony held at the premises of the new complex in Kotu, about 11 kilometres outside Banjul, the capital.

In his keynote speech, Minister Gomez told the gathering that global trends in tourism development are constantly changing to meet the demands of new and more sophisticated type of tourists, who are yearning to experience new things with a high taste for quality. "Therefore, if The Gambia is to compete and position itself firmly in this dynamic business of tourism, it is prudent that we should strive to craft new products and improve on the existing ones to meet the ever changing taste of discerning travellers and visitors to our beautiful country," he said.

The Gambia, he indicated, is already a renowned tourist destination which attracts a large number of tourists annually, and has all necessary features to become the distinctive tourism destination envisioned in the Vision 2020. The market, he added, will not only complement government’s poverty alleviation efforts in terms of enhancing employment opportunities for Gambian youths and women, “but it would also go a long way in adding value to our tourism product.”

For her part, the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Nancy Njie, said to remain competitive in this region, there is the need to get the products right. "We must have the right facilities and standards. The new Gambia calls for new attitudes and new products," she stated. She spoke about the contribution of women to national development, expressing delight about the fact that out of the 149 vendors at the market, the women occupy at least one hundred stalls.

In his turn, the chairman of the Gambia Tourism Authority board of directors, Alieu Mboge said the construction of the market was in line with the policy of creating a conducive environment for the locals to showcase enterprise and other skills to the delight of the visitors in the tourism industry.

The project, he added, is a real success as it has demonstrated what can be achieved through local enterprise, talent and expertise. Mboge went: "It is in line with sustainable tourism development and our efforts to empower the youths and women of this country.”

Ancient Stone Circles of Senegambia

2009-09-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

The ancient stone circles consists of four large groups of stone circles that represent an extraordinary concentration of over 1,000 monuments in a band 100 km wide along some 350 km of the River Gambia. The four groups, Sine Ngayène, Wanar, Wassu and Kerbatch, cover 93 stone circles and numerous tumuli, burial mounds, some of which have been excavated to reveal material that suggest dates between 3rd century BC and 16th century AD.

Together the stone circles of laterite pillars and their associated burial mounds present a vast sacred landscape created over more than 1,500 years. It reflects a prosperous, highly organized and lasting society.

The history of the Senegambian Stone Circles is not entirely certain. Dating of the burial mounds pushes them back to about the 3rd century BCE, and the most recent appear to be from the 16th century. The bulk of the stones, however, do seem to have been erected sometime between 640 and 860.

The densest concentration within the Senegambian Stone Circles, and thus the area most people visit, is the area around Djalloumbéré and Wassau. There are more than 50circles in this region, with more than 1000 stones among them. The village of Wassau also has a museum dedicated to the Senegambian Stone Circles, giving visitors a great deal of information on them, and providing basic maps to find them.

There are four main groups within the Senegambian Stone Circles as defined by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, mostly along the River Gambia. Aside from Wassau, these groups are Kerbatch, Sine Ngayéne, and Wanar.
Although the Senegambian Stone Circles appear to many people to be laid out fairly sporadically and randomly, closer examination reveals this not to be the case. The circlesactually rely on fairly complex geometric relationships between stones.

One of the largest mysteries around the Senegambian Stone Circles is who exactly erected them. The sheer quantity and consistency suggests a fairly cohesive society, and it is said that the people buried in the mounds are generally kings or chiefs, and later, after the advent of Islam, important and devout Muslims.

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Gambia Tribal History

2009-09-10T09:50:00.000-07:00

Ebrima Fode Kombo Silla
Manly Touray was King Silla's father Mbisin Njie, daughter of Burr Sine was his mother. Manly Touray, in the same way as his father, Amatora Touray, was a famous marabout. He traveled from Gunjur to other parts of the country and used to travel to Senegal too. One day during his visits to Senegal, he went to Sine and married the daughter of the king of Sine called Mbisin Njie. It happened that one Ebrima Sillah a famous marabout from Pakau Sillah kunda was on visit in Gunjur when Fode was born. He asked Fode´s parents to name the baby after him and the parents agreed and named the baby Ebrima Sillah.

When Ebrima grew up to the age of learning the Koran, he was sent to Darsilami Sillah kunda at Pakau in Cassamance to learn the Koran. He found many scholars and some of them were called Ebrima Sillah as well. To enable easy identification of those who had the name Ebrima, prefixes were added to their names.Ebrima learned the Koran quickly and within a short period, he made a fantastic progress in his lessons and had flying colours among his fellow scholars. In those days and even today, brilliant Koranic scholars who mastered the Koran well are given the title of "Fode".

Enlightenment Under The Baobab
After winning the title of "Fode" from DarsilamiSillah kunda, Ebrima Fode Kombo Sillah returned to Gunjur and joined his family. He remained with his family for several years and left for the Island of Sangama to worship God. The Sangamar Island is in the Atlantic Ocean. Fode traveled to the Island through the help of the people of Nyombato.For sometime after crossing, Fode stayed and worshipped God in the Island, and one day, the people of Nyombato heard the beating of drums just in the same way as drums are beaten on Friday for prayers. It raised a lot of surprise among the inhabitants, as they have never heard the beating of drums from the Island.

However, after sometime, the people who crossed Fode to the Island explained that a visiting marabout from Gunjur was there worshipping God. Few days later, Fode was seen sailing down to the shore from the Island on a praying skin. The following Friday morning, the people found him sitting down under a baobab tree. He prayed for them and they left. He remained under that baobab tree for a few days and left for Gunjur.

Many ideas were associated to his trip to Sangamar Island but the most reasonable one was that he went to the Island of Sangamarand and while sat under the Baobab tree in meditation and pray he was enlightened with the mission to take up the responsibility of ruling and spreading Islam in the Kombos.

Meeting At Gunjur

A delegation of Muslim elders was chosen to meet Fode to ask him to lead them in war against the Soninke villages in Brikama, Manduar, Kitte, Siffoe, Busumbala, Yundum, Lamin, Mandinaring, Latrikunda Mampatokoto, Talinding Kunjang, Serekunda, Bakau, Mandinaba, Tuba Kuta , Selety, Pirang, Farabanta, Farabasutu and Kafuta. He listened to them carefully and after they had finished, he replied that it was sad to hear of their troubles which took place in his absence, but at the same time, he was please to accept their offer to make him a leader.

In preparation for Jihad, Emir Fode made jujus monthly and put them into all Muslim village wells for the safety of the villagers against any possible disaster. One afternoon, while sitting down and discussing with the people, the Emir suddenly turned sad and the people asked him why he was so sad. He replied that nothing had happened to him. However after a little while, two horsemen arrived from Pirang and announced the murder of Arfang Tumani Jabang by the Soninke king.

Conquest of the Kombos
In further preparation for the inevitable Muslim and Soninke war, the Emir entered in a private praying period know as "Haluwa" and begged God to punish the Soninkes and make his people victorious in the war. He ordered the blacksmiths Amara Sulu Sawo of Gunjur, Saba Cham of Gunjur and Famara Keita of Tujereng to start making local guns and bullets in secret.When it was fairly dark enough, Fode made his soldiers to leave Sansanding to attack the principal Soninke villages of Brikama, Yundum and Busumbala. These three villages were not only known for their population but had also all the bravest Soninke warriors.

The company that attacked Brikama arrived at midnight, before the afternoon of the following day, the remaining soninkes either left Brikama or surrender to the Muslims. Having defeated Brikama, Fode`s troops advanced towards Yundum and Busumbala. They arrived at night and attacked Yundum at night. The battle here lasted more than a week because it was a very strong Soninke settlement full of brave warriors. According to some soldiers, the Soninkes of Yundum had opted to die rather to surrender to the Sillla's troops,

The Situation at Busumbala was the most critical one as compared to that of Yundum. Here, the battle took the longest time when compared to battles fought in any soninke village. Busumbala had more brave warriors than Yundum and the bees at Yarambamba forest created more problems for the Silla's soldiers.

The bees were said to have been sent by the soninke idols and when they bit the Silla's men, they either died or were rendered completely useless and ineffective in the battle. In this way many warriors lost their lives in Busumbala and the whole army wereclose to defeat. As the situation turned more and more drastic on the side of the Muslims, the troop leaders sent for the Emir himself to come and see the situation himself.

On arrival, Fode was astonished and shed tears when he learned about the fall of his bravest soldiers. He immediately gave orders to withdraw the soldiers and report at Sansanding. He himself returned to Darsilami where he entered his hiding and begged God for the Jihad to end in favour of his troops.

Silla and the Ninki Nanka Dragon
His prayers were answered, and one morning when the Soninkes at Yundum and Busumbala got up from bed, they discovered that the whole villages of Yundum and Busumbala were ambushed by a mighty dragon. Nobody went in or out of the two villages for eight days, at the end of the eight day, the Soninke in both villagers sent word across to Emir Fode in Darsilami that they had surrendered and would become Muslims. The following night, the dragon disappeared.

The victory for King Silla in Busumbala and Yundum which were the strongest Soninke settlements caused the rest of the Soninkes in Kombo to surrender to the Emir and joined his religion.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.
Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Ancient Founders of Senegambia

2009-09-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

According to Senegambia oral history, the Jola ethnic group is among the ethnic groups who have been longest resident in the Senegambia region. The Jolas for centuries continued to hold their ancestral African beliefs about the sacredness of the earth and the divine energy found in certain rocks and trees. They express their religion and beliefs in song and dance as well as in shrines, which is called "Bakin". The Jolas developed a high concept of one god, which they called Ata Amit A Luuke (Meaning God the Supreme Being).

It is sad to note that many people do not still know how long the Jola culture existed in the Senegambia region. Though the origin of the Jolas is still unknown, it is now confirmed by both oral and written history that they are the people who have been longest resident in the Gambia and among the indigenous people of the Senegambia region. The Jolas have developed a culture of acceptance of other cultures but not acceptance to change their own culture; they are one of few ethnic groups that have managed to keep its culture intact.

The Jolas are called Bachuki by the Manjago ethnic group, another ethnic group that also was among the first settlers. Bachuki in Manjago means first. To the Manjago it means the Jolas were the first settlers they know in the region. Of all the sub groups of the Jola people today, it is the Jola Cassas that still maintain 99 percent of all the old Jola traditional ways of doing things, still reject Islam and Christianity, and only a few of them go to church.

Most of the Jola Cassa who go to church to day do so because if they don’t, their children would find it hard to secure a place in the Christian schools. African governments have no funds to build schools all over their countries. Most of the schools in remote places of Africa are built by the catholic mission. There is no place in the Casamance where you will find Jola holy places of worship (Bakin) more than where the Jola Cassa lives. In fact, the most famous Jola holy shrines are in Samatit (called Kalemaku), and in Hasuka and in Mlomp (called Husana) and the people who run them are all Jola Cassas.

The Jolas are found in great numbers on the Atlantic coast between the southern banks of the Gambia River, the Casamance region of Senegal (Southern Senegal), and the northern part of Guinea-Bissau. Unlike most of the ethnic groups of the Senegambia region, the Jola ethnic group is not hierarchal. That is it has no class system in its social institutions, like griots, slaves, nobles, leather workers, etc.

Their communities way of settlement is based on the extended family settlement that is normally large enough to be given independence and their own names. Names like Jola Karon, Jola Mlomp, Jola Elinnkin, Jola Caginol, Jola Huluf, Jola Jamat, Jola Bayot, Jola Kabrouse, and Jola Foni etc

Although Jolas have a lot of traditional economic activities like fishing, farming groundnuts, taping palm wine, processing palm oil, just to name a few, their most intensive economic activity is rice cultivation. They had this knowledge long before the first European (the Portuguese) came to their region. This work activity (rice cultivation) is tied up closely to their religion and their social organisations. They have a good knowledge of animal husbandry and do raise a lot of different animals like cows, pigs, goats, chickens, sheep and ducks.

In the area of craftsmanship, the Jolas have a great variety of craft knowledge like weaving baskets, pottery, and house building. Jolas are also palm oil manufacturers and great palm wine tapers in the Senegambia region. The Jolas are able herbal medicine practitioners. Their high adaptation to the nature and environment made them to be able to create musical centred civilisation, natural medicine centred civilisation, and most important of all rice cultivation centred civilisation which they do effectively by using a locally made farming tool called the Kajandu.

Unlike most of the rest of the ethnic groups of the Senegambia, the Jolas were highly resistant to change or to influence of other cultures or religions. The Jolas are among the sizable population in Senegambia virtually untouched by Islam and Christianity. Many of them still hold to the tradition of worship. Even though some Jolas accepted Islam in the end (Soninke-Marabout war), they still honour their traditional way of using palm wine when performing their important rituals.

The Jolas have a concept of one God that they associated with the natural phenomena like sky and rain. They call this one god Amit (God) or Ata Amit (the Almighty God). (See article J. David Sapir) However, like any other religion, the Jolas have charms or sacred forests and sacred lands which they honour and worship as supernatural spirits that can protect their families, their villages, their rice fields, and even protect them from conversion to Islam and Christianity. These supernatural spirits are called Bakin (Mandinka Jalang).

Unfortunately people who don't understand how Jolas pray and relate to their God think that the Jolas have no God but spirits, because they offer sacrifices to the Bakin. But the Jola knows the difference between his/her God (Ata Amit) and the Bakin.

Jolas believed strongly in living a good humanistic life in this world. They believe that if one lives a bad life in this world when the person dies the soul of the dead person is punished to become an exile spirit and with no bed to lie on (In Jola Cassa this exile spirit is called A Holowa). This exile spirit becomes a roaming spirit with no respect from the other spirits.

All Jolas, before the influence of Islam and Christianity in their ways of beliefs, placed great respect in the proper observation of funeral ceremony, and still today some do, for they are of the belief that it enables the dead person’s soul to go to its final destination, (his or her ancestors). It was and still is strongly accepted by those Jolas who still practise their ancestral religion that without performing these funeral sacred rites, the soul is prevented from entering the presence of the creator (Ata Amit), and the ancestors.

Like most of the indigenous ethnic groups of the Senegambia region, the Pepel, the Manjago, the Balanta, the Konyagi etc, the Jola ethnic group did not develop a political scale that expanded beyond village level compared to ethnic groups that migrated to the region like the Sonikes and the Mandingos. But this does not mean they did not develop a sophisticated political system.

The egalitarian nature of their societies, structured around the limited village environment gave them the possibilities to develop a political system based on collective consciousness, which they worked through their initiation rites. In a sense the Jolas political achievement in the village was representative socialism based on leadership among equals. It was totally tied to their religious belief (Bakin). This political achievement to any one who knows politics is not easy to reach if the society that runs it does not have well defined rules of administration and penalties.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.

Gambia Sweden Fashion

2009-09-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

Fashion styles differ from country to country and you can usually tell by a person’s clothes as to which part of the world they come from. However, a lot of people cross these cultural borders and choose to wear the style they like the best. Ritva Lundberg, from Sweden, is a non-conformist when it comes to Swedish fashion, since she usually dresses in West African clothes.

She loves tie-dye fabrics and knows a lot about the way they are produced. During the hippie-era in the 1970’s, when batik clothes were trendy in Sweden and other parts of the western world, Ritva made her own batik fabrics, however, today she usually buys her fabrics from Gambia.

The first time I met Ritva Lundberg was in Bakau in Gambia in 2002. I was there as a tourist and Ritva, who had been living there periodically for three years, became my guide to the country and introduced me to her friends. It was the interest in West African music that drew Ritva and her husband to Gambia in 1999 and they immediately fell in love with the culture.

They spend a few months in Gambia every year, bringing its culture and way of life back to Sweden when they return, for example, Ritva often dresses in African fabrics in Sweden but in clothes made with western designs. It is still quite unusual in Sweden to wear this kind of fabric and it is easy to spot Ritva in a crowd. It is always exciting to see her choice of clothing, as she is literally wearing a piece of beautiful art.

“I always receive compliments on my style of clothing and my colleagues say that it is fun, as I add a splash of colour to the workplace, since the Swedish people usually dress so colourless”. The clothes in Gambia, on the other hand, are known for being very colourful and they are often made through tie-dye.

“Cuub” is the word for tie-dyed clothes in Wolof, one of the main tribe languages in Gambia. Ritva tells me that cuub is the traditional way to decorate clothes and when you walk the streets of Gambia you see a lot of people wearing those patterns. Originally the Gambian people used plant colours to create the batik and the patterns were usually quite small. Nowadays, the colours are synthetic and patterns, colours and techniques are numerous, but the old patterns are still used and popular, beside the new ones.

Ritva Lundberg loves the colourfulness and the diversity in the Gambian fabrics and explains that there are thousands of colour combinations and patterns. When I visited a market in Banjul with her, it was the colours of clothing that made the greatest impression on me. Ritva usually buys her printed cotton fabrics at the big markets in Banjul or in the markets of Serrekunda since they have the largest assortment.

However, the batik clothes she prefers to buy are from a batik maker named Fatou Sanneh.”I happened to get a good price from her once at the market in Serrekunda, where I gradually became her regular customer and started to visit her home to do my shopping”. Fatou also makes batik on order so you can get exactly the colours and patterns you want. “However, her prices for the special ordered batik patterns are not as low, but on the other hand, her fabrics are of extremely high quality”.

I have learnt that the pattern of the fabric is very important and Ritva says that there are new imaginative patterns invented all the time. There is also a trend in patterns and every year there is a pattern that is the “it” thing. “Every fabric manufacturer produces the pattern and all fashion conscious women wear it. If they don’t they are not ‘in’. You can not go to a party wearing last year’s batik pattern.

That is unthinkable.” Ritva Lundberg says that trends are very important in Gambia and that the Gambian women love vanity and new clothes. “It should always be the latest trends, sewed by the favourite tailor”. At the moment however, the batik patterned clothes are starting to be pushed out by a new “in” thing. “Today the latest fashion is sparkling synthetic fabrics, often with lace and inventive embroiders.”

Another interesting thing about the clothing in Gambia is that the women usually dress in the same patterns for big family feasts. “The women wear something called ‘asobi’, a kind of uniform, where the clothes are made out of the same patterned fabric, however, the design can vary. Sometimes even the men get an asobi in the same pattern, but this is not that common”. It is custom that the family who hosts the party buys all the fabric for the guests’ clothes. The choice of the fabric indicate the level of wealth of the family.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.
Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Camel Safari

2009-08-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

A welcome drink is served upon arrival at Camel Safari Camp, introduction to your camel and a photo opportunity close up of the coke drinking camel!

Strolling along the beach for approx 45 minutes, passing the fishing boats and the hustle and bustle of the people preparing the salted and smoked fish. Enjoy the panoramic view from your camel.

You then have time to relax before riding back to the camp to freshen up before your return journey to your hotels.

A fine day out for family, friends or couples!!

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.
Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Gambia Excursions

2009-08-05T07:47:00.000-07:00

For the more adventurous, there is plenty to see and do! We have written about some of the available tours, and if you are travelling independently you can also book direct with the tour operator.

Excursions may differ, as each operator has their own version of these tours. For your safety, book your tour with a fully licensed and insured company. The following companies are members of The TTAG which is your guarantee that they are fully insured and licensed: Gambia Tours, West African Tours, Gambia River Excursions, Jane’s Boats.

Orientation Tour: Is an all inclusive tour giving you a one day tour, touching on the life and culture of the Gambian people. The first stop of the day is at Katchikally Crocodile pool. You will visit the museum and have a chance to get really close up to these unique reptiles. And you can actually stroke these crocodiles if you dare!

Our next port of call is the Dye and Batik Factory in Serrekunda, see how the work is done and buy the materials at a very good price if you so wish! After visiting the Batik factory you will be driven through the busy Serrekunda market and on to a local school where you will meet the children in their classrooms and look at the educational system.

Next stop is the City of Banjul, the capital of The Gambia. Banjul is situated on St Marys Island, as you drive our guide will tell you some of the history of Banjul and the way independence was gained back in the 60's, you will pass by Arch 22, which is a symbol of the second republic of the Gambia.

You will stop for a short visit to the National Museum before proceeding on to the busiest markets in the country, Albert Market. Here you can visit the food, vegetable and fish market and also the material & craft market. This is a truly excellent experience as it gives you a blend of all the different aspects of Gambian life. Arts, crafts and materials can be bought at a very reasonable price if you are willing to bargain for it!

From here you will return to Denton bridge for a leisurely cruise along the oyster creek, on board a traditional style pirogue with a sundeck to Lamin Lodge. Lunch is served on board as you cruise, giving you a chance to relax and soak up some of the Gambian sun. Upon arrival at Lamin Lodge some tribal groups will entertain you with dancing and music and you can take some refreshments.

Our final port of call is Kim Kombo plantation and distillery, which produces liqueurs from the local fruits grown on the plantation. After a short guided tour you will have the chance to sample some of the liqueurs and you will be able to purchase the bottles of your choice, they make a great gift for friends and family back home. New for 2010, is a display of solar cooking and fruit drying.
Do remember to pack Liquids in your luggage and not in your hand bags.

More Excursions to The Gambia
Abuko Nature Reserve-Banjul Highlights
Circle Of Life-Creek Fishing-Four Wheel Drive-Home Cooking Course-Janjangbureh-Lazy Day Cruise-Makasutu By Night-Makasutu Nature Forest-Roots-Senegal Adventure-South Gambia Experience-A Taste of Kombo-Wake Up With The Birds

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.
Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Gambia Accomodation

2009-08-05T07:27:00.000-07:00

The Gambia offers a wide variety of accommodation to suit all pockets. Most hotels in the tourist sector are well suited to short-term holidays, ranging from basic to luxury accommodation.

The fact that it is just 6 flying hours time and the same time zone give The Gambia an advantage over most other winter destinations, being English speaking and with fuarenteed winter sun. The Gambia has become an ever increasing popular winter destination for the past 25 years. The Gambia caters for all sectors.

For those who prefer to travel independently there are more specialised accomodations offering eco lodges, which stretch out along the Gambia's beautiful coastline and river banks. There is no reason to sacrifice your comforts if you prefer to book your own accommodation. There are many small Independant hotels and guest houses, which offer comfortable accommodations too.

The close link Gambia has with Europe has meant many people choose to stay in The Gambia for longer periods of time. Many retired and semi-retired people who choose to be a sunbird avoiding Europe during the cold winter months to stay in The Gambia. Many of the independent establishments offer long-term self-catering accommodation.

Do make sure if you decide to buy or rent property that you use reputable Estate Agents or Property Developers.

Enjoy your Gambia Holidays!

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.
Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Eco Tourism

2009-08-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

If you are into eco-tourism, bird watching, or looking to go on safari, you can find it here in The Gambia.

Bijilo Forest Park
Is one of the several forest parks in the Gambia, but is primarily a nature reserve. It covers 51 hectares and is easily accessible with its location in Kololi along the coast near the Senegambia tourist area. This park is popular for its birds and monkeys. It is well worth a visit if you are looking for a morning walk.

Lamin Lodge
Situated on the edge of the creeks, this huge tree house style lodge offers a wonderful view over the mangrove swamps and is an ideal spot for bird watching. Small boats can also be hired from here.

Makasutu Culture Forest (“Holy Forest”)
Makasutu Cultural Forest, the name Makasutu is a Mandinka word, which translates into English, as “Holy Forest”. There is a history to this dwelling. Legend has it that tribal wars took place in this forest centuries ago. A particular King was also killed here, and his head, crown and throne were all buried in the forest.

The local community avoided the area, for another reason: the legend also states that the devil lived in this forest! Nevertheless, the owners of this beautiful resort forged ahead and began a venture that would, after almost fifteen years, earn them a reputation as having The Best New Eco Lodge in The World, according to Sunday Times in 2002.

Another award was bestowed on the serene lodge two years later with the capping of the prestigious "Guild of British Travel Writers Award." This comes as no surprise. Surrounded by six villages, Makasutu Cultural Forest is an all-in-one excursion and is all that the international media, and the world travel body have described it. A safari drive, a guided forest walk, a boat ride, bird watching, and cultural entertainment galore are all at ‘Makasutu’.

There is a craft area where local artists show their talent and skill in wood carving, design ware and other traditional African artifacts.Winner of the Eco Tourism Award 2005

Abuko Nature Reserve
An all time favourite for wildlife and birdwatching. Gambia's oldest protected area. It covers 105 hectares in western Gambia near the Atlantic Coast. The reserve protects a large tract of gallery forest, and it is paricularly noted for its birds and monkey populations. See some of the most colourful birds in the world - over 360 species live in The Gambia.

Baobolong Wetland Reserve
Located on the northern bank of the Gambia River in central Gambia, opposite Kiang West. This wetland covers 22,000 hectares and was designated as Gambia's first Ramsar site (the convention on wetlands of international importance).

Kiang West National Park
Located on the southern bank of the Gambia River in central Gambia. Its 11,000 hectares are dominated by dry woodland vegetation, with areas of mangrove and mud flats.

River Gambia National Park
More commonly known as Baboon Islands. It is a 580 hectare park covering five mid-river islands near Georgetown in eastern Gambia. It was established mainly as a rehabilitation sanctuary for chimpanzees. Visitors are not permitted on the island.

Niumi National Park
In the northwest of Gambia, contiguous with the Parc National du Delta du Saloum in neighbouring Senegal, and incorporates the coastal island of Ginak. It covers 5,000 hectares and features dry woodland, sand dunes, mangroves, salt marches and lagoons.

Tanji River Bird Reserve
Is located on the coast, in western Gambia. Its 612 hectares include dunes, lagoons, mangroves, dry woodland and is popular for the variety of birds which can be seen in the reserve.

Tumani Tenda Eco-Tourism Camp
Tumani Tenda is a Jolla Village with approximately 300 inhabitants living in seven extended families. It is situated 25 km East of Brikama and 3 km from Kafatu, an tributary/Bolong of the Gambia River.

This small hamlet derives its name from a peanut picker, called Tumani, who lived in the area; Tenda means riverbank. The founder of the village, the late Alhaji Osman, a Koran scholar, established the community 30 years ago after immigrating from Casamance.

A community evolved which is described as a religious community embracing certain values, notably a sustainable attitude to the natural environment, a socially responsible style of living, respect for the elderly, independence, self-sustainability and a sense of community.

Tumani Tenda owns 140 hectares of land, of which 89 are sustainably cultivated, with a species rich forest that is continually upgraded with seedlings and serves as a pharmacy and natural water reservoir. Plants and crops grow in abundance and include maize, millet, groundnuts, vegetables, herbs and spices, bananas, grapefruits, oranges, mangoes, lemons and many others.

Enjoy your Gambia Holidays!

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.
Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Gambia History

2009-08-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

The first British traders in the Gambia came in 1587. They began to explore the river in 1618. and eventually got control of St. Andrew's Island 1661. It was renamed James Island after the Duke of York, later King James II, a name it has retained to this day. Trading companies were set up and they tried to control the trade of the river. By the mid-seventeenth century, the slave trade had over-shadowed all other trade.

The British and French competed for the control of the trade of the area. In 1765, the forts and settlements were vested in the British crown and for eighteen years what is now The Gambia, formed part of the British Colony of Senegambia, with headquarters in St. Louis at the mouth of the river Senegal.

However in 1783, the greater part of the Senegambia region was handed to France. The Gambia section ceased to be a British colony and was again placed under the charge of the African Company.

With the British abolition of the Slave Trade in their settlements in 1807, they tried to look for a suitable location in The Gambia from where they would be able to monitor the river and stop ships from entering and leaving with slaves. Alexander Grant, sent out from Goree for this purpose, found the fort at James Island to be too far inland and in ruins.

He therefore entered into a treaty with the Chief of Kombo in April, 1816 for the cessation of the detached sand bank known as St. Mary's Island. Originally called Banjulo by the Portuguese, Grant named the new settlement, Bathurst after the Colonial Secretary of the time Lord Bathurst. Britain declared the Gambia River a British Protectorate in 1820. In 1886, Gambia became a crown colony, and the following year France and Britain drew the boundaries between Senegal (by then a French colony) and Gambia.

With the slave trade at an end, the British were forced to come up with a new source of wealth to support the fledgling protectorate, which led to the planting of groundnuts. The groundnuts or peanuts are originally South American, where they were grown by Indian communities. (It was introduced to West-Africa (first the Senegambia area) by the Portuguese in the 16th century.

The harvested nuts are crushed to make oil, which is exported to Europe for use in food manufacture. In the 1950s, Gambia's groundnut production was beefed up as a way to increase export earnings and make the country that much more self supportive, today groundnuts remain the chief crop of both Gambia and neighbouring Senegal.

On the 18th of February 1965, The Gambia gained political independence from Britain and although Britain's Queen Elizabeth II remained as titular head of state. It was strongly felt that The Gambia would not be able to stand on her own and there were talks of forming a federation with Senegal, but this did not materialise at the time.

Around the same time, two events occurred that enabled the tiny nation to survive and even prosper. For a decade after independence, the world price for groundnuts increased significantly, raising the country's GNP almost threefold. The second event had an even more resounding effect - Gambia became a significant tourist destination. On April 24, 1970, The Gambia became a Republic following a majority approved referendum led by President Dawda Kairaba Jawara, who was re-elected five times.

The relative stability of the Jawara era was broken first in a violent coup attempt in 1981 which was led by Kukoi Samba Sanyang, who, on two occasions, had unsuccessfully sought election to parliament. After a week of violence, which left several hundred dead, Jawara, who was in London when the attack began, appealed to Senegal for help. Senegalese troops defeated the rebel force. In the aftermath of the attempted coup, Senegal and The Gambia signed the 1982 Treaty of Confederation. The result, the Senegambia Confederation, aimed eventually to combine the armed forces of the two nations and unify economies and currencies. The Gambia withdrew from the confederation in 1989.

A protest by soldiers over late salaries in July 1994 turned into a coup d'état, led by a young lieutenant, Yahya Jammeh, a new military government was formed and in 1996 Elections were held and Lieutenant Jammeh was elected by popular vote by the people and a new constitution was introduced, ushering in the Second Republic.

President Jammeh has since won two consecutive elections in 2001 and 2006 and remains in power to this day. He has brought stability to the country and tourism is back in a big way. Also the Gambian infrastructure has vastly improved, as is evidenced by the modern Banjul International Airport, new Hospitals, roads and street lighting that are all being put in place.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.

Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

The Gambia Magic

2009-08-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

· Just six hours from Europe with no jet lag
· Guaranteed Sunshine all year round
· Beautiful golden sandy Beaches which stretch for miles.
· One of the most safe destinations in the world
· Freedom to travel around
· Excellent and varied Restaurants
· Beautiful Eco Tourism
· One of the Best destinations for Bird Watching
· Excellent Sea and Creek Fishing

The Gambia has a magic that brings people back year after year and it is still one of the safest destinations in the world!
It is the nearest English speaking destination to Europe with guaranteed sunshine all year round. Average flight time is just 6 hours.

The Gambia’s relaxed laid back pace of life is ideal for those who prefer a quieter holiday, yet Gambia offers a wealth of History and culture which can be explored by boat or by road. The local people are friendly and are always willing to share their knowledge over some Atire ( green tea or even invite you to join them for Lunch) For the more adventurous there is lots to see and do !

The climate is very comfortable offering guaranteed warm sunny days and cool evenings between, November and May.The summer months brings rains which fall mostly in warm short showers, the land turns a lush green and the birds and the flowers produce an amazing array of colour. Gambia has over 500 different species of bird which can be seen in and around the Kombo areas.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.
Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Batik tie and dye

2009-07-31T11:43:00.000-07:00

Focusing, interacting and observing the unique cultures and styles on any trips are refer to as cultural tourism. The concept of learning from other cultures to broaden ones perspective is usually a core value. Learning and acquiring a new knowledge on any handicraft or whatsoever would be a form of cultural tourism.

Buying crafts in the craft market with no interaction, focus and knowledge than the exchange of money does not provide the insight into another culture which is the central theme of cultural tourism.

Tourisphere has discovered the interest of some tourists to the Gambia in cultural tourism. Going round the Bakau Craft markets in this ongoing 9th Edition of International Root Festival, Rose Batik workshop, Bakau was the focus of some visitors and tourists who visited the stall to browse and buy from the numerous designed and neatly displayed batik materials at the stall. As some are buying, some are as well learning how to design and produce some nice batik for themselves.

Batik is a popular locally made textile materials that serve different purposes, according to Mr Kabir Dubois, the proprietor of Rose Batik Workshop, and also a former employee at MRC up to 1991 said “batik is a resist techniques used in the Gambia. Batik was first introduced to the society by some countries in Asian, among are Indonesia, India and some others.

Batik is used for decoration; sew into different styles and wear, for souvenir and so on. To produce quality batik materials you need items like cloth – 100 percent cotton cut into different sizes of your choice, crayon for the design, a locally made pointed pencil called ‘jentting’, some melted candle wax and some colours. There are different types of batik in the market but the most attractive and well demanding is the 7-colour batik it is moving very fine in the market and it has really supercedes the old type of batik called 4-colour.

The simplest way of producing batik is the old traditional mode that involves the use of a hand carved wooden stamp, dipped in wax, and applied to the fabric to create a pleasing design. But the advent of 7-colour batik make it a bit tedious but with quality standard and this allowed the free design of choice that often portrays some familiar object of village life, such as an animal or a flower, human being, farm works and some other things that express thoughts.

After the application of the wax, the cloth is dyed, and then the wax is removed by dipping the fabric in a very hot water. The Asian’s producers of batik are using modern technologies to produce while here in the Gambia it is produced manually which is an advantage to many that wishes to learn especially tourists on their visit.

Some of this type of elaborate and contemporary techniques batik can be found in different craft markets in the Gambia such as Bakau, Banjul, Brikama among other places. Rose Batik workshop is a regular joint for western students during their trip to the Gambia. According to him learning batik work is very easy if you are good in art-drawing as you will be able to catch up under a period of one week but without the knowledge of art it will take you months.

Batik is very different from tie and dye though it is also a technique we used to color an ornament or cloth through what is known as resist dyeing. Resist dyeing means patterning either fabrics or yarn designed for fabrics by reserving some parts of the materials from dye to penetrate. In case of tie and dye, the resist is formed in a number of ways like tie raised portions with thread; folding or pleating; wrapping rolled or furled cloth with bands of string or best; with trick, a needle technique of stitching a thread through the cloth and drawing it tightly so that the folds will resist dye from penetration or a combination of the methods.

In any of your journey as a tourist it is a mater of learning and honoring local culture and valued them. Either long or jaunt visit do not let your journey be a photographed only, if you will like to know more what really your journey can offered you.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.

Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Gambia Four Wheel Drive Adventures

2009-07-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

4 WD: Is a great opportunity to see and experience the real Gambia, this excursion will take you off the beaten track, either in a 4x4 Safari truck or Land Rover following the coastline stopping at villages along the way where you will meet the villagers and visit a local school.

Pens and books are always welcome gifts to the schools, please give any donations to the head teacher Please do not bring sweets.

Next stop , the palm wine tappers, you can sample the freshly tapped wine and learn more about how it’s produced. Lunch is served on one of the most naturally beautiful beaches in the South of the country and there will be a chance to swim and sunbathe .

The first stop of the afternoon is Tanji Village museum. This is a unique chance to find out more about Gambian culture and tradition, the tour guides will be happy to show you around the mock village and explain about village life and how it is set up. On the tour you will be able to watch the weavers making hand woven cloth. In the gardens they have some wonderful unusual flora and fauna.

From the Museum we head for the Tanji fishing village, here you can see and smell the local fish smoking industry close by and a possible chance to see the fishermen bring their catches in. As we head back to the hotels we will make unscheduled stops to observe, monkeys, baboons and the many exotic and colourful birds on the way.

South Gambia Experience: Go beyond the routes of normal tourist excursions and visit the remote and isolated area of Southern Gambia combined with a cruise on the River which divides us from neighboring Senegal. As you drive through Savannah like hinterland, towards the border, you will experience an excellent view of our countryside.

On route you will visit the reptile farm where you can see many different species of snakes and lizards that reside in the Gambia, the next stop is at a local Art Gallery for drinks and snacks before proceeding to the peaceful Kartong beach where a traditional river craft is waiting to take you for a cruise around various inlets and islands of the Allahein River.

The scenery varies from mangroves to open mud flats where the banks are full of oyster. Monkeys and varied bird life can be spotted from this peaceful area.. Local fishermen can often be seen digging for mussels in the mud or collecting oysters from the mangroves. After about two hours cruising we will stop for lunch . On the return journey we will drive close to the beach before arriving at our various hotels.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.
Please visit our website http://www.ttag.gm/

Gambian Restaurants

2009-07-25T07:09:00.000-07:00

No holiday is complete without good food. One of the best kept secrets of The Gambia is the vast variety of restaurants! The Gambia is a melting pot of cultures and because of this you will find a wide selection of restaurants from many origins.

Most restaurants are family run establishments offering an authentic flavour to their individual cuisine.

Sample some typical Gambian dishes during your stay like:

Pepeh Soup

This is a tasty thick stew which is very easy to make. Very spicy and it’s commonly prepared with fish, cow leg or foot wit the bone into to the stock.

Domoda
This is a typical mandinka dish made from groundnuts in most part of the Gambia. As the name implies, “Domo” means eating whilst Da means the stew pot. The uniqueness is that the flavor of this wonderful piquant dish comes from the main ingredient of concentrated peanut paste. Domoda can be prepared with meat, beef or fish with lot of vegetables. This is a source of high protein and with nutritious value in this Gambian local dish.

Benachin
This is a popular Gambian dish, originated from the Wolof meaning cooking with one pot. As the name may suggest, just about anything can go in, this is Africa’s answer to a good risotto lady fish. Alternatively it can be made with beef.

Yassa
It is made with chicken or fish, the delicious tangy flavor or fresh lemons or limes make Yassa sauce a huge favorite in this part of the world and definitely recommended as one to try.

Enjoy your Gambia Holidays!

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.
Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Gambia Music & Culture

2009-07-20T06:04:00.000-07:00

Music plays an important part of Gambian culture; “The drum” made of carved wood and goat skin seems a simple instrument, but drumming is not limited to musical entertainment like some of the music from the Americas or Europe, it has a serious application in many societies across the continent.

A native speaker of a language can often perceive a text or texts in the music. This effect also forms the basis of drum languages (talking drums)in days gone by drumming was used as a way of communicating. News would travel from village to villages by drumming. Many of the Western African tribes are well known for their use of drumming in daily activities or special events. The drums are the main tool used to inform members of their respective tribes when something major occurs within the tribe. Drums can inform members of death, funerals, meetings, or upcoming celebration. In the past it was used as a warning of imminent attack.

The drum is the sign of life; its beat is the heartbeat of the community. Such is the power of the drum to evoke emotions, to touch the souls of those who hear its rhythms. The beating of the drum is an opportunity to give one another a sense of belonging and of solidarity. It is a time to connect with each other, to be part of that collective rhythm of the life in which young and old, rich and poor, men and women are all invited to contribute to the society.

Wrestling
The beat of the drum is used to evoke the emotion of the contester and create an excitement in the arena. Modern traditional wrestling has evolved as a modified version of the real combat techniques. Traditionally, all the boys in a village were taught how to wrestle. The ones that showed skill and promise were held in high regard as a man regardless of class, it is one of the oldest traditional sports in Gambia and wrestling festivals are a common occurrence. Leg locks are permitted but there are no patterned arm or head locks, or complicated points system.
The object of the game is simply to throw one's opponent to the ground. The first wrestler down in the bout loses the contest. The most common style of grappling is shown among the Mandinka, Fulas and Jolas. It involves each opponent grabbing each other's trunks at the start of the bout. After some strategic manoeuvrings each one would attempt to throw the other to the ground. Serers on the other hand prefer to go straight for the legs and render their opponent off-balance.

Traditional music
Is mostly functional in nature, there are for example, many different kinds of work songs, some of the drumming that goes on in the middle of the day even helps women and men of the tribe get daily chores done quicker as the drums allow them to follow a rhythm while they work, Ceremonial or religious music accompanies childbirth, marriage, hunting, and even political activities.
Ceremonial music
Will often be accompanied by the Balafone and the Kora which has a harp like sound and is made from the Calabash. The player uses only the thumb and index finger of both hands to pluck the strings in poly rhythmic patterns.The combination of instruments used depends on the tribe, A male griots, or praise singers are traditionally heard at weddings and infant naming ceremonies, born into the profession most often act as a solo or duo instrumentalist. They attend the ceremonies to bring good luck by accompanying praise songs and historical recitations. In some areas it may form part of a larger group including a Kora, a calabash, flute and/or a Tamo Drums.

The griots or “Jali” society was as a historian, advisor, arbitrator, praise singer and storyteller. Essentially, these musicians were walking history books, preserving their ancient stories and traditions through song. Their inherited tradition was passed down through generations. They were said to have deep connections to spiritual, social, or political powers as music is associated as such. Speech is also said to have power as it can recreate history.

The talking drums(Tamo) are some of the oldest instruments used by west African griots and their history can be traced back to ancient Ghana Empire. Many have developed a highly sophisticated genre of griot music centering on the talking drum.

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.

Please visit our website www.ttag.gm

Gambia Cultural Extravaganza

2009-07-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

Kanilai International Cultural Festival
Attracts thousands of people from Gambia and the Diaspora who all converge on the village of Kanilai in the Foni Kansala District of Western Region, which is the country home and birth place of President Jammeh.

This Cultural Festival is normally held in June Bi–annually has now become a household name where you can join in and enjoy the cultural shows and dancing for this 16 day festival.

Roots Home coming Festival: Is a historical, cultural and educational event which invites all people of African descent and all persons committed to the well being of Africans and the development of Africa, to come home to The Gambia and participate in the festival, normally held in June bi–annually to the opposite year of the Kanilai Festival!

If you are unable to attend either of the festivals but would like to experience some of the wonderful culture Gambia has to offer, two of the most spectacular places to be entertained are Makasuitu and Kim Kombo , each with their own unique display of cultural entertainment.

Makasutu: Offers their “NIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA “ Watch the torch light precession float down the creeks where they will come ashore and entertain you with African dancing, fire eating and cultural entertainment enjoy a buffet dinner of African/European cuisine.

Kim Kombo: Offers a special “AFRICAN NIGHT“ twice weekly with original dance troops, included is a buffet dinner of African/European food AND as much of the local made liqueurs as you can drink.!

Our members are involved in Gambian restaurants, tours, excursions, eco-tourism, car rentals, and shops within the vibrant Gambia Tourism Industry.

Please visit our website http://www.ttag.gm/