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An island in the River Gambia in Central River Region
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Accessed by south road via the bridge on to the island
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Accessed by north road via Banjul Barra ferry, the ferry on to island at Lamin Kotu
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Accessed by River Gambia
Learn about kayaking opportunities in Janjanbureh with our own Dave Adams
Janjanbureh Uniting Sustainable Tourism
and Community Training
Charity No: XT21437
Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival 2021
Courtesy of My Gambia
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JAG do not claim to be part in this, except in helping to promote developments close to their aims
JUST ACT members are very closely associated with it.
The fourth festival, January 29th/30th, continued despite the Pandemic, Covid 19, preventing many of the regular and devoted European visitors
but it attracted new attendees from the whole country.
It was considered a great success with very good numbers.
Some of the new visitors were those who set up the online magazine 'My Gambia' and they have posted information with their amazing photos. Please explore this link and the whole of their very informative magazine and web site
My Gambia Glimpses of Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival
Running since October 2020 it shares a wealth of informative articles
Click here to access each monthly magazine
March 21 magazine is to be devoted to Janjanbureh
Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival 2020
17th/18th/19th January 2020
The first festival supported by YEP funding took place January 15/16th 2018. It is now an annual event
For queries see here!
2020 information/developments/updates on the dedicated Facebook Page
Contacts:
Marketing and publicity: Muhammed Saidykhan (Justice): Email:mlsaidykhan92@hotmail.com Phone:+2203646208
President Janjanbureh Kankurang and Events: Omar Jammeh Email:omarjattojammeh@gmail.com Phone:+2202222446
President: Janjanbureh Tour Guide Association Isatou Foon: Email: ladydiva556@gmail.com
Phone: +2209190297
Programme of Events
Festival eve: January 16th
Jamba Jabally Kankurang dance at Jobarteh Kunda Kobokoto at 21:00pm onwards
Day 1: January 17th
Official opening ceremony at Governors residence at 10:00am - 13:00pm.
Historical and Cultural tours at 10:00am onwards, Participation depends on bookings and charges apply.
Parade of Kankurangs and Masquerade at Tinyansita at 17:00pm - 20:00pm
Musical show with DJ Ruffa than Ruff from Germany with local DJs and Artists at cinema hall at Tickets at D50
Day 2: January 18th
Procession of Kankurangs and Masquerade within the streets of Janjanbureh at 10:00am onwards
Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival performance of Kankurangs and Masquerades begins at Tinyansita at 17:00pm to 00:00am
Day 3: January 19th
Celebration of International Friends of Nature day and the closure of Africa Land Scape of the Year, commemoration of NFI 125 years and Cultural performances at 10:00am onwards
Community Based Tourism activities at Tabanani and Jamali, Participation depends on bookings and charges apply at 10:00am onwards
Musical concert with ST da Gambian Dream with locals artist at Janjanbureh Cinema hall at 22:00pm onwards.
NB: All international visitor's are required to pay 10 Euros or equivalent in GMD.
Upon payment you will be provided with a tag that will enable you
access to all musical shows and festival grounds.
Boat trips, Kayaks, braiding and other activities will be available at 5 Euros or equivalent in GMD will be apply to participate.
We wish to see you all in Janjanbureh soonest.
Booooom
In 2018 about 60 visitors came from all over Europe through the NGO Naturefriends the first festival timed to coincide with their arrival.
2020 sees the official closing of this enterprise
Further general information about the beginnings and creation of the Festival starting in 2018
Read a blog with images of the first festival here provided by YEP
who supported the festival organising committee in collaboration with the National Centre for Arts and Culture, the Gambia Tourism Board and the Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism.
The Gambian Director of Just Act Gambia and President of the festival speaks about its importance to the community and Community Based Tourism
Purpose and expected outcomes
"There is growing evidence that there is a demand for new forms of tourism which are more culturally and community based than in the past. Many people now want experiences rather than sights; doing rather than looking and taking part rather than acting as a spectator. The Janjanbureh Kankurang and Masquerade Festival will provide such a unique experience to visitors.
The main purpose of the festival is to showcase the unique cultural expression of the Kankurang and other masking traditions of West Africa so that the Island will gain visibility and attract more and more visitors who would like to experience an intangible authentic cultural heritage"
The Tradition of The Kankurang
From Mboka Festival information
"Janjanbureh is well known to be the birthplace of the Kankurang masquerade in the Gambia. The Kankurang masquerade tradition forms an integral part of Madinka initiatory rites and rituals. The term Kankurang is a combination of the Mandinka words “kango” and “Kurango” which literally translate as “voice” and “enforce”, respectively. These terms could be said to refer to the empowerment of the voice in order to enforce the rules set by members of Mandinka society. In essence, the Kankurang is a central figure in a complex ritual system which comprises traditional practices linked to the initiation of young people and the protection of society and the environment."
Read a blog with images of the first festival here provided by YEP
who supported the festival organising committee in collaboration with the National Centre for Arts and Culture, the Gambia Tourism Board and the Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism.
To view the Official Kankurang Festival Video for 2018 open below
