Gambia

The Gambia, threaded by its river, preserves Mandinka griot traditions, kora music and craft fishing.

Music & dance Spirituality & rites Textile & dress Food & cooking Language & oral

Knowledge in this place

Kora harp music

Kora harp music

Jali griots play the 21-string kora to recount lineages and history.

Kankurang initiation rite

Kankurang initiation rite

The masked Kankurang guards Mandinka boys during their initiation period.

Spirituality & rites

Tie-dye cloth

Tie-dye cloth

Women tie and dye cotton with indigo and bright pigments for everyday wear.

Textile & dress

Domoda groundnut stew

Domoda groundnut stew

Domoda simmers meat in a thick groundnut sauce served over rice.

Mandinka oral history

Mandinka oral history

Mandinka jaliyaa transmits genealogies and epics through spoken performance.

Language & oral