Friday, June 29, 2007

Gambian Music and Culture

Music plays an important part of Gambian culture; “The drum” made of carved wood and goat skin seems a simple instrument, but drumming in 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 immanent 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.


Cremonial 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 polyrhythmic patterns. Depending on the tribe which combination of instruments are used.


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 accompany 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.

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

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Tribal History

The Gambia is made up of Eight different Tribes, which originate from the surrounding Countries: The River Gambia being the main epicentre means most of the different tribes originate either north, east or south of the river.

Mandinka

In the 14th century, the (Manding) Mali Empire of Mali - established by Mandinka, Sundiata Keita, leader of the Malinké people - encompassed the areas from the edge of the Sahara to the forests of the south in what is now Liberia and Sierra Leone. From East to West, it covered all the regions between Takedda beyond the Niger Buckle covering Senegambia on the Atlantic Ocean.


This vast empire controlled nearly all the trans-Saharan trade, and contact with the rulers of the Arab states to the north led the Mali rulers to embrace Islam with great enthusiasm. Though the rise of the Mali empire was swift its decline was slow. By the beginning of the 15th century, the empire had lost its hegemony over the affairs of the Western Sudan and had been reduced into the small area of Kangaba, where it had first originated.


By the middle of the 15th century a group of Mandingos drifted into the area of the Gambia River basin and with them came Islam. The Mandinksa make up the majority of the population being the largest tribe to settle in the Gambia, the majority of which live in the provinces, upper and central river division.

Wollof

Are an ethnic group found in North Senegal, Mauritania and The Gambia, making up about 15% of the population, yet Wolof language and culture have a disproportionate influence because of their prevalence in the capital Banjul, where 50% of the population are Wolof.


Jola
Are the next largest community living in the Gambia, their people are believed to have pre-dated Mande and Fula peoples to the riverine coast of Senegambia, and may have migrated into Casamance before the 13th century. 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 Senegambian region. Jola in Mandinka means to “pay your dues” Traditionally the women tend the fields and grow crops while men tap Palm Wine and Palm Oil

Sarahuli
Are Mandé people who descend from the Belfour and are closely related to the Imraguen of Mauritania. They were the founders of the ancient empire of Ghana c. 750-1240 CE) The settlers in Gambia are a minority group who live mainly in the up river division. Traditionally their people are traders, they are renowned as being successful business people, many are property owners and diamond dealers.

Fula

Are traditionally a nomadic, pastoralist, trading people, herding cattle, goats and sheep across the vast dry hinterlands of their domain, keeping somewhat separate from the local agricultural populations. Their tribe can be found as far north as Mauritania, all over West and central Africa and as far east as Sudan.


The Fula people form a minority in every country they live, but in Guinea they represent a plurality of the population (40%) In the Gambia they are often found as local trades. Commonly the corner shop will be known as the “Fula shop”.


Aku
Originated from Freetown, Sierra Leone, some still live in the area of George town where they had been resettled after the days of slavery as there was no way of knowing where they had originally been taken from. The Aku language which is still spoken in West Africa developed from the early West African Pidgin English.


Some scholars also argue that African slaves took this language to the New World where it helped give rise to the English-based creoles that developed there, including the Gullah language in coastal South Carolina and Georgia, Bahamian Dialect, Jamaican Creole, Belizean Kriol, Guyanese Creole, Sranan Tongo .


Manjago
Are an ethnic group in Guinea-Bissau. Which have migrated to south Gambia They are known as Manjaku by the Manjacks themselves, Ndiago by the Wolofs, Manjaco by the Portuguese, and Manjaque by the French. Each of these terms means "I tell you" Their trade by tradition is typically Palm Wine and Palm Oil tappers.


Serere:
Are the third largest ethnic group in Senegal, also present in Mauritania and The North bank of Gambia they are predominantly Fishermen by trade and their principal sport played is wrestling.

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

Monday, May 14, 2007

Why Come To The Gambia























· 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 Ata ( 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.


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

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Gambia River Excursions

Gambia River Excursions started as a ground operator specialised in boat excursions on the river Gambia, but today it is involved in a vast range of activities. Perhaps the most known branch of Gambia River Excursions is Lamin Lodge, the bar/restaurant on stilts in the midst of the mangroves of the river Gambia.


Independent travellers might prefer to take Lamin Lodge as both their point of departure and of arrival. Alternatively they may decide to join one of the scheduled trips leaving from Denton Bridge.


One of our most popular trips is the Birds and Breakfast excursion, which is scheduled on mondays, wednesdays and thursdays. After a quick coffee in Lamin Lodge, you will enter a dugout canoe who will take you through the vast labyrinth of creeks that surround the village of Lamin, where more then 70 different species of water birds have been recorded. Two hours later you will return to Lamin Lodge where you can enjoy a breakfast buffet. After breakfast you will continue your search for morning birds in the gardens of the neighbouring village of Abuko.


Another favourite is the Sunset Cruise, leaving from Denton Bridge every tuesday, thursday, saturday and sunday at 4.30 p.m. After a welcome drink on board you will cruise for 1.5 hours through the mangroves of the River Gambia. A small band playing traditional kora music makes the magic of an African sunset complete. Upon arrival in Lamin Lodge you'll be standed a tasty buffet of both African and European specialities. The evening will be completed by the performance of Mandinka dancers and drummers who will invite you to share their cultural heritage with them.


Other scheduled trips are:


1. A day out fishing - with your catch being grilled on the boat or on your return in Lamin Lodge


2. An afternoon on the river - with a lunch buffet on board and a swimming stop in nomansland.


3. Northbank Explorer: a day out on the North bank of the river Gambia, searching for dolphins and unspoiled wildlife on the uninhabited Dog Island. For the guests of Janjangbureh Camp, we also offer a range of 1-day boat excursions to Kuntaur, Baboon Island and Sapu.


Multiple Day Excursions
Due to the long duration of the trips, multiple day excursions are always more or less tailor made. Some people prefer the tranquility of the river, whilst others want to know more about village life. You just tell your captain what aspect of river-life interests you most and he will make sure that you enjoy your trip to a maximum extent.


Most tour groups end their trip in Janjang Bureh Camp, but individual travellers may prefer to start from Janjang Bureh Camp, whereby they finish their trip in another River Camp or a village that has public transport back to the capital. At Janjang Bureh the camp manager can organise a vehicle that brings you back to your hotel or you may decide to take public transport.


We offer 2 scheduled multiple day excursions:


1. Pakali Ba - Janjang Bureh (2 days): This relatively short trip comprises most highlights of the River Gambia. You will encounter the hippo's of Elephant Island, the monkey's of Baboon Island, see the old Colonial Trade Houses of Kuntaur and visit the Stone Circles of Wassu. You will spend 1 night on the boat and enjoy all your meals on board. The trip ends with a dinner buffet at Janjang Bureh Camp. Due to the remote location of Pakali Ba, this trip can only be booked by travel organisations and larger groups.


2. Tendaba Camp - Janjang Bureh (3 days): Basically the same trip, with an additional day and night on the boat. The trip starts early in the morning in Tendaba with a breakfast buffet on board. The tempo of this excursion is a bit slower as the Pakali Ba-trip and a side trip in one of the creeks is included.


This trip will be leaving from Tendaba every first sathurday of the month. Individual travellers pay 160 euros or 5200 dalasis for the entire trip, including all meals on board and dinner on arrival in Janjangbureh Camp.


One week Cruise Gambia River Excursions' also offers tourists the chance to join on a one week cruise with the French-owned Orion X. The Orion X is a 20 meter long sailing ship with 4 confortable double cabins that is harboured at Lamin Lodge, near Banjul International Airport.


The Gambia is a small country and on your 6-day sailing trip you will experience most of what the country has to offer, ranging from busy village markets to unspoiled wildlife. You will end your cruise with a day in Janjang Bureh Camp before heading back to the country's capital.The price for this cruise depends of the number of passengers, with a minimum of 385 euro per person. This price includes all meals, all transfers and most of the excursions made. There is also a well stocked bar on board.
The exact departure dates for this cruise depend on the bookings and can be asked through us (contact@gambiariver.com) or directly by mailing the captain at syorionx@yahoo.fr.


Tailor Made Excursions range from a small alteration of a scheduled excursion, to the composition of your very own dreamtrip. A candlelight dinner in a deserted branch of the river Gambia, breakfast amidst the dolphins or a day out with the oysterpickers of Lamin Village.


Prices are calculated in dalasis and range from 225 dalasis/hour (1 euro is 35 dalasis, 1 pound is 40 dalasis) for a dug out canoe with rower to 600 dalasis/hour for a small engine boat.The big boats cost 1200 dalasis/hour and 5500 dalasis for the full day, regardless of the number of people on board.
Prices of the excursions range from 650 dalasis p.p. for the Birds and Breakfast excursion, to 850 dalasis p.p. for the Sunset Cruise, respectively including a breakfast- or dinnerbuffet at Lamin Lodge.


For the multiple day excursions prices depend on the number of participants.
Call us +220- 4497603/7784058/ 8901125
Or visit our office in Bakau, Newtown - next to ASSET
http://gambiariverexcursions.com/index.html

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