Today we have a guest post from Joachim Shotter who recently went to The Gambia with students from Nottingham College’s Travel and Tourism department. Joachim was there on behalf of a local radio station, 97.5 Kemet Fm, and thanks to him for this heartfelt account and some great photographs.
South Nottingham Colege and the Tumani Tenda (image by Joachim Shotter)
South Nottingham College’s Travel and Tourism department not only teaches students within the classroom environment but also gives the students real life opportunities and experiences. Trips abroad are part of the curriculum which allows the student to take on the real life role of a Tour Operator and Tour Guide. Before each trip students are required to research each destination and plan the excursions.
South Nottingham College help to manage and run a College within The Gambia (The Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia ITTOG) teaching Gambians Travel and Tourism . The Gambian college has been running for the past 5 years and awards scholarships for Gambian students to study in the UK. One of these students called Lamin is now head teacher at the Gambian college and has taken English teaching methods back to his new set of students. The College has around 100 students attending. The South Nottingham students were invited for the day to participate and make a presentation to the Gambian Travel and Tourism students.
The latest trip to The Gambia was for an event called Camp Africa. This event brings Travel and Tourism students from countries such as The Gambia, the UK, Senegal and Norway to meet and share ideas about the tourism industry and their own cultures.
The Gambia is a very small African country with a small coast line and surrounded by Senegal. Part of the old Mali empire it has no mineral deposits or natural resources. It does however have a growing tourism industry and it is building itself up as one of the most popular African holiday destinations – making The Gambia a perfect place for the students to test out their Travel and Tourism skills, within a new cultural environment.
The student’s trip to Kunta Kinteh island (St James Island) where the slave trade took place, was a day of high emotion. The students arrived at Juffureh village by boat from Banjul. A long walk down an extended jetty leads to the main village entrance which has a remembrance statue to the slave trade. “Forgive but never forget” These words were spoken many times here by the tour guides. A strong statement and fitting to all who lost their lives and homes during this period. The students then went to the slave museum which was a selection of installations, pictures of slaves on the Trans-Atlantic ships, and large shackles used to chain the slaves during the extended voyages. There was also a section dedicated to modern black achievements and people who have risen above the western operation after the slave trade.
Tako Taal Chief of Juffureh. (Image by Joachim Shotter)
The next part of the trip gave the students the opportunity to meet the village chief, Tako Taal, who is the first Gambian female chief after independence. She is revered as one of the most important women in The Gambia and has paved the way for women to be accepted as equals in Gambian and African politics. She granted and gave the students permission to look around the village and visit the family of without a doubt the most famous African slave – Kunta Kinteh.
The Chief at Tumani Tenda. (Image by Joachim Shotter)
On arrival at the family home of Kunta Kinteh the students sat down in front of two elderly women dressed in golden and white robes. On the left was Bamtou Kinteh the eighth generation Granddaughter of Kunta Kinteh and to the right Mariama Fofana, a true African Queen. The guide introduced our group and we were told the story of Kunta Kinteh and how the film “Roots” was conceived. Pictures were taken with them, which was a great honour. The next stop on the visit was to Kunta Kinteh Island itself. Hearts had stated to beat a bit faster here, as this was the place where they loaded the slaves on to the ships bound for the new world. The island, set right in the middle of the main Gambian river, has recently been renamed Kunta Kinteh Island. The remains of the buildings are extremely worn down with only a few walls still standing. The Baobab trees were white in colour, covered with the sea salt from heavy winds. The only truly remaining building left was the slave cell, which has survived due to being underground and hidden from the elements. This is a crammed small room which held up to 25 slaves at a time. It was a cold room with a small round window high up and set back in the stone wall – it seemed that more were forced in at times. The realisation didn’t sink in until the students had left the island and set on their journey back.
This is a journey all Africans should take, a journey all humans should take. As only by having a better understanding of who we all are can only make for a better understanding of each other.
Some student and teacher comments from the trip
Natalie Jones: I have seen places like the villages I visited on TV but i never thought it to be as bad as TV make out….
Lauren fox: My time in the Gambia has been a once in a life time experience. With breathtaking views and people.
Jessica Craven (Teacher): As a student teacher I feel so lucky to have been given the opportunity to visit such an amazing country, particularly with the students as I can share in their experiences.
Binta Barra – Gambian Student: I have visited places, where I haven’t visited before. Exchanging ideas and interpreting the local languages to my friends.
As with most kora players Sura, (Surahata), was born into a family of Gambian ‘griots’, the cultural figures in society across West Africa who carry the knowledge and identity of the region’s people. This hereditary legacy stretches back hundreds of years, and traditionally the knowledge and history surrounding the kora are passed on from father to son. Griots are orators, lyricists and musicians who are also respected as a source of advice and spiritual guidance.
