CULTURE Projects

Programme Goal and Rationale

The UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, adopted by acclamation on 2 November 2001 by the General Conference at its 31^st session, stresses forcefully the cultural issues raised by globalization and the need for Member States to firmly support the very principle of diversity.

In this context, full importance must be accorded to the intangible heritage, which is still largely neglected in favour of the monumental vision of the heritage. That is why UNESCO will be working actively to promote the preservation of the intangible cultural heritage- to make it an integral part of preservation policies since it constitutes a key component of cultural diversity and human creativity.

Support to Kerr Batch Stone Circles and Museum

The museum at Wassu is the second to be built at a Senegambia Stone Circle site. The permanent exhibition elaborated the history and culture surrounding the creation of the Stone Circles as well as the ethnic groups of Senegambia.

Built at the site of another exemplary set of Stone Circles along the north bank of the River Gambia, the permanent exhibition at the Kerr Batch museum is 'Ethnic Groups of The Gambia: Unity in Diversity'. The exhibition is designed to highlight physical aspects of the Wollof, Fula, Konyagi, Mansuanke, Mandinka and Basari cultures resident in the area. The decision to install the exhibition at a Stone Circle site was made to connect the legacy of the past with the present.

Samples from the exhibition include examples of traditional medicines, indigenous farming implements, initiation masks and staves, weaving and leatherworking tools, musical instruments and female fertility symbols, amongst other items. Each object is accompanied by a detailed description of its use and history. The project was funded by UNESCO under the Participation Programme.

Urban documentary and memoirs

'Half-Die' is one of Banjul's oldest neighbourhoods. The nickname apparently arises from an 1869 cholera outbreak that killed half the population. A Gambian journalist who grew up in Half-Die and an American photographer collaborated with a web designer to create an online experience documenting this area of one of West Africa's coastal cities. The site features photographs, written text, audio clips of interviews with Half-Die residents and a forum for discussion on the topic of urbanization and urban living.

Organization of Divisional Cultural Festivals.

The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) was the main implementing agency of this project. Beneficiaries of this Divisional Cultural Festival included Gambian performing artists, divisional cultural committees, the Department of State for Tourism and Culture and the National Council for Arts and Culture. The need for these festivals has led to the establishment of Divisional Cultural Committees (DCC), which are working under the supervision of NCAC and their primary function is to coordinate cultural activities throughout their various divisions.  

It is against this background that the NCAC in collaboration with the National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM), organized three thematic festivals in three divisions with the active participation of all the other divisions in the Gambia. The festivals were as follow:

a.        The Festival of Traditional Music and Folklore was held in Basse (URD) 19 November 2005.

b.        Festival of Kanyaleng Women – Soma (LRD) 26^th November 2005.

c.        Festival of Traditional Masks, Masquerades and Dance – Serrekunda (KSMD) 3^rd December 2005.

The main objectives of these festivals were:

·          Capacity building of Divisional Cultural Committees

·          Spotting and identification of talents and skills needed for the final setting up of  the Gambia National Troupe

·          Providing a useful forum for interaction and exchange of ideas and knowledge to strengthen the bonds of unity among the various ethnic groups of The Gambia

·          Promoting the values of tolerance and understanding among our diverse peoples for greater harmony

·          Contributing effectively to cultural tourism and creation of an environment for the marketing of Gambian cultural products thereby showcasing the rich and diverse heritage particular to different divisions 

Festival of Traditional Music and Folklore, Basse. (Nov. 19^th 2005).

Under the chief patronage of the Commissioner, this festival was held within the premises of the Basse football field. As participating cultural troupes arrived from various administrative divisions, the Executive Director NCAC, the festival co-ordinator and other members of the organising committee paid visits to each troupe at their residence.

Indeed, all seven divisional troupes participated.  The national festival was a first of its kind to be organized by the NCAC and it was attended by both divisional authorities and a large cross section of the public.

At the end of the day, the host town cultural troupe representing Upper River Division (CRD) came first, followed by Kombo St. Mary’s Division (KSMD) and then Western Division (WD). Certificates and cash prizes were awarded to all the runners-up.

Festival of Kanyeleng Women, Soma. (Nov. 26^th 2005).

This took place in the most spacious area among the three festivals. Equally, it was graced by the presence of the commissioner of Lower River Division (LRD) and well attended by other parties. As usual, the welcoming visits to the different participating cultural troupe took place in the morning. Again, all divisional representatives took part. This time, there were a lot of district chiefs. Given the geographical location of Soma (on the Trans-Gambia road to Senegal), the attendance was impressive. Even cultural troupes from Senegal participated, thereby adding more colour, flavour and excitement to the occasion.

Due to their wonderful and dramatic performance, Kombo St. Mary’s Division (KSMD) undoubtedly attracted the first prize whilst the second and third prizes went to Lower River Division (LRD) and Western Division (WD) respectively.

Festivals of Traditional Masks, Masquerades and Dance, Serrekunda. (Dec. 3^rd 2005).

This was the last of the three thematic festivals. It was held in Serrekunda under the chief patronage of the Lord Mayor of Kanifing Municipality. Apart from the presence of other authorities, the Honourable Secretary of State for the Department of State for Tourism and Culture also graced the occasion.

For organizational problems, the cultural troupes representing Western Division could not attend albeit all other administrative divisions took part. They were warmly welcomed by the visiting team headed by the Executive Director of the National Council for Arts and Culture. He thanked them for sparing no effort to participate in the festival.

Concerning masks and masquerades, there were not many varieties as expected. Despite the popular kankurang which was the most common throughout this festival, a few of the rarest masks and masquerades were displayed. This provided a chance for Banjul Divisional Cultural troupe to come first in terms of best rare mask whilst Central River Division Cultural Troupe were awarded first prize in overall presentation. North Bank Divisional Cultural Troupe came second and St. Mary’s Division received third prize. Like in all the previous festivals, all participating troupes received consolation prizes in the form of cash.

Achievements

·          Re-activation of dormant Divisional Cultural Committees (DDC).

·          A stronger and more fruitful exchange between cultural troupes, the National Council for Arts and Culture and the public.

·          Awareness of the rich cultural diversity of the Gambia.

·          Sensitization of cultural troupes and the public at large on the importance of art and culture in national development.

·          Establishment of various types of Cultural Troupes in each administrative division.

·          Identification of best performers for training and inclusion into the Gambia National Troupe.

·          Documentation of some of the rarest forms of Gambian folklore on the road to oblivion.

·          Promotion of cultural and Eco-Tourism through the highlighting of the various geographical, social, cultural and economic settings of each host town.