Cultural Tourism in The Gambia

1. Craft Markets: Banjul, Serekunda and Bakau are known for their markets and craft markets. Many different things can be purchased such as wood crafts, batik, silver and leather products.
2. Brikama Wood Carving Centre: Brikama has a huge wood carving centre, which produces and sells hundreds of teak wood carvings, djembe drums and other souvenirs.
3. Juffureh: Is a small village located 30km inland on the north bank of the River Gambia and is best known for its appearance in Alex Hailey’s novel “Roots-the saga of an American family”. A slavery exhibition in the museum can be seen.
4. Albreda: Is a historic settlement in the north bank of the River Gambia and is known as “trading post” or “slave fort”
5. Kunta Kinteh (Formerly James Island): Is an island in the Gambia River 30km inland on the north bank of the river close to Juffureh and Albreda. It contains a fort known as Fort James and provides an exceptional testimony to the different facets of the African-European encounter. James Island is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
6. Wassu Stone Circles: The ancient Wassu Stone Circles are located around Wassu in the central river region and are believed to be burial mounds of kings and chiefs in ancient times. They are also part of the UNESCO world heritage sites.
7. Tanji Fishing Village: The main features of the village are its Bonga fish smoking houses, the lines of African pirogues and fishermen and housewives lining the shore and haggling over prices. The best time to visit Tanji is in the afternoon when all the fishing boats are coming back from the sea. A spectacle not to be missed.
8. Gambian Wrestling: Modern traditional wrestling is one of the oldest traditional sports in the Gambia and wrestling festivals are a common occurrence.
9. Village Tour: There are many villages in the Gambia that are worth a visit in order to gain an insight to the Gambian way of life.
10. Sacred Crocodile Pool: There are several crocodile pools sprinkled about the nation. One of the most famous one is Katchically Crocodile Pool in Bakau. Childless Gambian women often visit the pools to bath in the water, which they consider to hold the powers of fertility.
11. Art Galleries: the Gambia has several art galleries that have work of Gambia contemporary painters on displays. If you are really interested, owners can facilities you meeting the painters at their studios.
12. Museums: There are also a number of museums spread over the country which are definitely worth a visit.
13. Zinzani Culture Centre: ZINZANI is an international cultural centre aiming at promoting the West African culture via music and dance. You are welcome to participate in various workshops which enhance the intercultural communication.