The Gambia Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(The Gambia, GM, Western Africa)

Of late, there's been a growing movement to revive some of The Gambia's most traditional festivals. Such events are aimed at showcasing The Gambian music, art and dance, as well as helping to promote cultural heritage.

Some of the biggest events and seasonal things to do in The Gambia take place at the African towns and villages of Abene, Bakau, Brufut, Dankunku, Kartong and Kwinella, as well of course at the capital city of Banjul. Here yearly celebrations include the Banjul Demba Cultural Festival in January, the exhuberant July 22nd festivities and the final stretch of a major African car rally each December.

The Gambia Calendar of Festivals and Events

January

• Banjul Demba Cultural Festival - long-standing display of local culture each January
• Njawara Cultural Festival - organised by the Njwara Cultural Organisation and held in Njaware village
• Banjul Fine Arts Festival - this newly established event take places over a two-week period and aims to promote the development of The Gambian arts and culture

February

• Kwinella Cultural Festival - staged by the Faran Tamba Organisation and held in Kwinella village
• Independence Day - a much-celebrated public holiday held on 18th February each year to commemorate Gambian independence from Britain in 1965

March

• Maribantang Cultural Festival - held in Dankunku village, this two-day event is aimed at showcasing the cultural heritage of the region
• Kartong Festival - the village of Kartong comes alive with traditional music and dance for a weekend in late March. As well as daily street performance, visitors can browse art and craft stalls or attend one of the many workshops on everything from traditional cookery to hair braiding

April

• Janjanbureh Cultural Festival - launched in 1983, this event is held sporadically in April
• Maribantang Cultural Festival - a two-day event held in Dankunku village, with an opportunity to visit a number of historic sites in the vicinity

May

• International Roots Homecoming Festival - The Gambia's most popular event attracts an international audience of those linked to or interested in West African culture. This biennial extravanganza combines traditional music, dance and art with visits to historic sites. Held late May / early June
• Brusibi Cultural Festival - aimed at boosting culture and traditions in this part of Africa, this popular event takes place each year in May and features performances by several talented local groups

June

• Kanilai International Cultural Festival - featuring music, dance and drama performances by groups from all over the region and neighbouring countries

July

• July 22nd Celebrations - various official parades and cultural performances are held at Banjul's Arch 22
• Njawara Marathon - an athletic event that attracts local runners. The Njawara Marathon aims to support development projects in the village. Shorter races are also held, suiting different levels of athletic ability

August

• Assumption Day - a public holiday held each August since 1958. On this day there are usually formal processions, as well as street parades and various parties

September

• Koriteh - a religious celebration marking the end of Ramadan. The Gambians begin the day with prayer and end with an evening of partying, where huge banquets of tasty food are commonplace

October

• Trade Fair Gambia (TFG) - held at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, just outside Banjul. This international event features the products of a range of West African companies and attracts many tourists

November

• Tabaski - also known as Eid Al Adha, this is the day on which many families commemorate Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail. Barbecues and celebrations are held throughout the day. Small children are usually given pocket money to spend

December

• Abene Festival - held in the village of Abene, this long-running event celebrates the harvest. As well as traditional music and dance, artists arrive here from all over West Africa and further afield
• Plymouth - Daker Rally: Banjul Challenge - hailed as the original Banger Challenge, drivers nurse their cars over a 3,700 mile / 2,299 km route through Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Senegal, before finally finishing in Banjul. At the end, the vehicles are auctioned off to raise money for local Gambian charities
• Brufut Marathon Run - held early December in the town of Brufut, this increasingly popular sporting event includes various distance runs, including a fully fledged international marathon. Each year, the Brufut Marathon Run actively supports a particular theme or local issue