Gambia tours & travel

Today, despite its diminutive size, The Gambia is a mosaic of many different ethnicities and cultures. There’s no part of the country that could be said to belong to one single ethnic group. Major tribes include the Makinda, Wolof, Fula, Serahule and Jola, but there are many others, each with its own unique language and traditions. In contrast to the clashing of cultures often evident in the history of other African nations, Gambia has seen a minimum of inter-tribal and racial frictions. Instead, the intermingling and sharing of many different cultural traits has become the norm. 

Historically, and still today, traders have often travelled through Senegal, Guinea, and Mali before settling in The Gambia. This is true of Mauritanians, Moroccans, and Lebanese as well, who tend to be traders and shopkeepers. Most people in The Gambia can be thought of as at least bilingual, having learned both their traditional language and the country’s English, though most are multilingual.

The West African nation was once a British colony, and its history can still be found in the language, as well as in the architecture of metropolitan regions such as Banjul. However, the introduction of Islam to the region in the 1800’s has left a deeper mark, influencing most of the country’s cultural ceremonies. While different ethnic groups will differ in the specifics of different rituals and customs, Islam is a great unifying force across the cultural landscape of the country. 

Recent history has seen many young people moving to the urban centre of Banjul, but the majority of Gambians – over 80%, in fact – live in rural villages. These villages are home to many indigenous customs and traditions, none more important than the emphasis on strong family values.

The Gambia is by far the smallest country on the African mainland with only 10,000km2 (6,200 miles2) of land. The country cuts a thin strip through Senegal as it straddles the Gambian River east to west. Apart from its coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, the country is entirely surrounded by Senegal, sharing 749km (460 miles) of land border. Gambia’s widest point is no more than 48km (30 miles), and at its thinnest point in the east is barely 15km (9 miles) wide. 

It’s not surprising to find that the majority of the landscape in The Gambia is flat and flanked by low hills, serving as grassy floodplains for the Gambia River. The country’s highest peak stands at only 53m (174ft). Closer to the coast in western Gambia, much of the environment is made up of swampy mangroves, but as you follow the river upstream, the landscape transforms to rainforest in the east. Stray from the banks towards the Senegal border and the landscape shifts to grassy savannas and wooded plains. 

According to the World Resources Institute, more than 3% of The Gambia's total land area is under environmental protection. The country is home to 974 species of plants, 117 mammals and 535 birds, many of which are unique to the region.

The best shopping sites in The Gambia are those where locals can sell their traditional wares, anything from batik wall hangings and tapestries, woodcarvings and sculptures, bead jewellery and handmade clothing, handwoven baskets and even djembe drums. Make sure to take a look through Banjul’s Albert Market and explore the buzzing commercial centre of Serrekunda. You’ll find the open-air Senegambian Craft Market just off the Bertil Harding highway, and watch the carvers and crafters in action at the Cape Point Market in Bakau. Be aware that haggling is standard practice, so brush up on your bartering skills if you’re looking for a bargain.

Events in The Gambia often showcase the country’s rich art, dance, music, and traditional heritage. Some of the most important events are focused on the changing of the seasons, and are more often than not held in smaller towns and villages. Larger festivals are held in the nation’s capital, Banjul, with major Christian and Muslim holidays being celebrated throughout the year.

Banjul Demba Cultural Festival: Held each January in Banjul, this festival celebrates Gambia’s culture with art, musical performance and dance.

Banjul Fine Arts Festival: This two-week celebration takes place each January in the nation’s capital and showcases traditional Gambian art and culture. 

Independence Day: The Gambian Independence Day is one of the most highly anticipated celebrations of the year and commemorates the state’s autonomy from Britain on February 18th, 1965. 

International Roots Homecoming Festival: This biennial celebration, usually held in May or June, invites diasporic visitors from across the globe to take part in festivities surrounding traditional Gambian art, music and dance. 

July 22nd Celebrations: Held in Banjul, locals participate in parades and performances to commemorate the 1994 overthrow of leader Dawda Jawara. 

Tabaski: Also called Eid Al Adha (Day of the Sacrifice), this religious day commemorates Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his son to God. Families will often celebrate at home with parties and barbeques. 

Abene Festival: Held in the small village of Abene, this event brings artists and musicians from all of West Africa to celebrate the beginning of the harvest season with traditional music and dance. 
 

The Gambia has a huge range of international cuisine, from Chinese and Indian to Italian or Lebanese. If you’re looking for a steak for dinner or bacon and eggs for breakfast, traditional Western foods are available in hotels and tourist-oriented restaurants. 

If, on the other hand, you’re feeling more adventurous and you’re hoping to try something local, the restaurant scene is thriving with traditional produce and dishes. Staples include white rice and a range of spicy sauces, with chicken and freshly grilled fish serving as common fare. The Gambia is renowned for its abundant supply of fresh seafood, including lady fish, barracuda, butter fish, Atlantic prawns and much more. 

When you’re looking for a drink, reach for a glass of palm wine, made by fermenting the sap from palm trees, or a bottle of Jul Brew, the local specialty beer. 

Must-try foods in The Gambia

Benachin: Literally translates as ‘one pot’ but also known as Jollof rice, benachin is a mixture of spiced fish or chicken with in-season vegetables served on a bed of rice and tomato puree. 

Domoda: Perhaps the most cooked dish in Gambia, domada is a type of peanut stew made with peanuts, tomato paste, mustard, black pepper and onions, then served with white rice. 

Yassa: A spicy marinated dish usually made with chicken cooked with chillies, onions, garlic, mustard and lime, served with rice or chips.

Superkanja: An okra stew made with a mix of okra, fish or meat, palm oil, onions and peppers boiled together. 

Plasas: Meat and smoked fish cooked in palm oil with cassava leaves, served with rice or mashed cassava. 

Haako: steamed couscous and vegetable sauce.

• Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley
• The World and a Very Small Place in Africa by Donald Wright
• Folk Tales and Fables from the Gambia by Dembo Fanta Bojang and Sukai Mbye Bojang
• African Silences by Peter Matthiessen
• Reading the Ceiling by Dayo Forster
• The Sun Will Soon Shine by Sally Singhateh