By Yunus S Saliu
The Ambassador of the European Union to The Gambia has disclosed at the opening ceremony of the 6th edition of the Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival held in McCarthy Island, CRR, on Friday that the vitality of the culture and creative industries goes beyond job creation and export.
“But also supports diversification of tourism products and experience as well as the decentralization of the socio-economic benefits of tourism to rural communities,” H.E. Corrado Pampaloni noted.
The EU Ambassador iterated that it is an exceptional year for the community of Janjangbureh as they consistently celebrate the festival for 6 years in a row despite economic challenges, Covd-19, and inflation, “well done.”
Given the Gambia’s rich cultural heritage, coupled with significant interest of Gambian youth in creative expressions, The Gambia has never been in a better position to harness the potential of the culture and creative industries for poverty reduction, job creation, improve livelihoods, support gender equality, innovation, as well as peaceful and inclusive societies.
He, therefore, encourage communities, the government of The Gambia, private sector and youth to embrace culture as a source of source of pride and inspiration for young people, and a driver of jobs and growth, and give it the attention and support it needs to reach its potential.
Madam Maimuna Sidibeh, The NATCOM UNESCO Gambia Secretary General, described the festival as ‘a distinctive socio-cultural practice that it “is especially relevant to our communities and help reinforce a sense of identity and continuity with the past and is given priority in the 2003 Convention.”
As all believed, she said, the Kankurang is the guarantor of order and justice as well as the exorcist of evil spirits, as such, “he ensures transmission and teaching of a complex collection of know-how and practice is in retreat because of the rapid urbanization and the decreasing extent of sacred forests, which are transformed into cultivated land.”
Hon Ousman Bah, Governor of Central River Region (CRR), on behalf of Minister of Tourism and Culture declared open the 6th edition of the Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival, saying the annual festival aims to celebrate the Kankurang as a Masterpiece and at the same time, serve as an avenue to showcase a spectacular display of cultural diversity of an Island rich in history.
Since secured its permanent place in the national calendar of events, he said, “the Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival has since then been supported by the International Trade Centre and the European Union through YEP.”
He, therefore, encouraged the community to continue preserving “the rich culture that we inherited from our parents and pass it on to our children.”
Honourable Omar Jammeh, National Assembly member for Janjanbureh doubles as the chairman of the organizing committee welcomed all participants to the Island known as the home of Kankurang and cultural heritage.
He expressed profound gratitude to the EMC of the festival for ensuring that “we able to stage the annual cultural heritage festival without any hindrances.”
He disclosed that since the revival of the festival the youth have been working tirelessly every year to improve on the package and celebrate it in colourful, and peaceful manner which now attract lots of home-comers, visitors and tourists to the community.
He outlined some of the advantages and benefits which the festival has brought to the community since it’s revive.
Hassoum Ceesay, Director General of NCAC thanked the youth and organizing committee of the festival and attached the success of the festival to their high level of commitment which the festival continues to receive from all the stakeholders to prevent and promote heritage the island.
He extended appreciation to all partners and artists groups that have been accompanying them on this journey for the past six years “because of the level of participation by the community invited artist and cultural groups continue to be of high level that has encouraged people to come far and wide to attend the festival.”
The Director General thanked the European Union saying it is through them ITC was able to work with stakeholders for the revival of the festival in 2018.
Muhammed L Saidykhan, acting chairman of the event management committee (EMC) reflected on the revived of Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival in 2018 with the help of International Trade Centre (ITC) through the European Union funded Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) partner with the National Centre For Arts and Culture (NCAC), Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) and Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute (GTHI) and community of Janjanbureh to bring back the festival and protect the Kankurang heritage.
The initiative is part of the wider efforts to discourage encroachment, promote sustainable tourism, provide economy opportunity to young people in the rural Gambia, and “Janjanbureh offers great experience for tourists. And the Kankurang festival is an important cornerstone for destination Janjanbureh.” However, Mr Saidykhan expressed gratitude to the partners – NCAC, Janjanbureh Area Council, MoTC, GTHI, GTBoard, EU, and Natcom UNESCO, who had supported them in one way or another to make the festival a success.
