One among the regional cultural festivals taking place in The Gambia to promote peace and unity is the organized festival of descendants of Serahulleh historical family – ‘garankos.’ The ‘garankos,’ heritage of leather workers, annually gather together in one country to celebrate their cultural heritage to promote unity, peace and networking within their member states.
With this organized annual festival called Domban Wuru Festival, they use it to further strengthen the bi-lateral relations between the five states where ‘garankos’ are found within West Africa.
However, the Garankata Goolibiire, Gambia Chapter in collaboration with National Center for Arts and Culture Friday launched the 2nd edition of Domban Wuru Festival slated for 29th, 30th November and 1st December 2018 at the NCAC Annex in Kairaba Avenue. The first edition of this 3-day festival 2017 was held in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
Garankata Goolibiire is an association of Soninkara – Garankos, they are the heritage of leather workers, from The Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali and Guinea Conakry. The association has been in existence for the past two years mobilizing and resuscitating the cultural heritage of their cast and kindred while transferring the skills and trade to the young people.
Sheik Omar Jallow, Director Literature and Performing Arts –NCAC applauded the association. He assured NCAC’s full and necessary support to the regional executive of the Garankata Goolibiire – Gambia Chapater.
As the statutory institution responsible for the promotion, preservation and development of the artistic and cultural matters of The Gambia, he said NCAC is mandated to develop cultural promotion and cooperation for both regional and international cultural exchanges with institutions interested in the promotion of Gambian arts and culture.
Launching the Domban Wuru Festival, Asa Hakuru Sillah, representative of the Garankata Goolibiire, Gambia Chapter in Diaspora – France gave a detail background of Domban Wuru Festival and the important of the ‘garankos’ in the society and region in general.
She highlighted among other activities outlined to mark the festival which include parade of cultural carnival from the Buffer Zone to Youth Monument, West Field for the official opening of the festival, Musical Jamboree from different musicians from France and Mauritania at Penchami Hall and Domban Night at Alliance Franco, Trade fair of different leather works and artifacts, ‘nyamakalahun,’ traditional Sarahulleh magical performance, Domban Conference and lots more.
Bai Mamou Sumbundun president of the Garankata Goolibiire, Gambia Chapter and Fatou Sohna, Youth Representative in The Gambia made statements among others made statements, too, during the launching.
Author: Yunus S Saliu