By Yunus S. Saliu
To promote the safeguarding and transmission of The Gambia’s rich intangible cultural heritage (ICH), the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) officially launched a new capacity-building project on April 20, 2025. The initiative focuses on strengthening both institutional and local human capacities for safeguarding ICH, with a weeklong training taking place from April 21–25 in Janjanbureh, Central River Region (CRR).
The project, supported by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund, is among UNESCO-backed initiatives in The Gambia. Its primary goal is to train communities and cultural practitioners in ICH inventorying, documentation, and awareness-raising activities. The project particularly emphasizes the preservation of the Kankurang Manding Initiatory Rite, which was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
Speaking at the launch, the Governor of CRR, Ousman Bah, described the initiative as a milestone in the country’s ongoing implementation of the 2003 UNESCO Convention. “Since the inscription of the Kankurang in 2008 and our ratification of the Convention in 2011, The Gambia has been actively working toward its goals,” he said.
Governor Bah noted that 30 communities, 15 from the north and 15 from the south of the region, have been selected to participate in the project. Focal points from each will collaborate with NCAC to document traditional ceremonies, rituals, healing methods, crafts, and stories. This information will be compiled through audiovisuals and photography into a National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage, a key output of the project.
He commended NCAC and UNESCO for selecting CRR as the pilot site, emphasizing the project’s potential value in preserving culture and boosting tourism in the region.
Delivering remarks at the event, NCAC Director General Hassoum Ceesay underlined the cultural and spiritual significance of intangible heritage. “While ICH may not have a physical presence, its impact is profound, it lives in our stories, rituals, and traditional knowledge systems,” he said.
Ceesay stressed that proper documentation, whether in text, photo, or video, is crucial for protecting these cultural elements. “When you document heritage, you’ve already taken a major step toward safeguarding it,” he noted.
He also pointed out that the resulting national register would serve both as a preservation tool and a resource for integrating culture into national development and tourism strategies.
Further, the Director General stated that the initiative supports The Gambia’s development agenda and aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. It may also pave the way for nominating additional Gambian heritage elements to UNESCO’s international lists, enhancing the country’s global cultural recognition.
Muhammed Saidykhan, Chairman of the Janjanbureh Kankurang and Masks Cultural Festival, welcomed participants warmly and praised NCAC for its commitment to culture. “We are proud to be part of this important initiative and will continue to give it our full support over the next 24 months,” he stated.
Saidykhan emphasized the strong collaboration between the community and the NCAC and acknowledged longstanding support from partners including EMC and the Kankurang Festival. “This is your home, the heart of the Kankurang tradition—welcome and enjoy your stay,” he said.
The event also featured a brief overview by Sanna B. Jarju, the ICH National Focal Point, who explained that this training forms part of The Gambia’s broader efforts to revitalize cultural traditions, especially among the youth who are increasingly distanced from their roots due to formal education systems.
“Since ratifying the 2003 Convention, we’ve undertaken several initiatives, and this is another key step in preserving our identity, practices, and knowledge systems,” Jarju concluded.
The launch was attended by district chiefs, representatives from the National Commission for UNESCO, NCAC board members, ICH facilitators, community leaders, women councilors, and other stakeholders while the event was marked with a kora performance and Kankurang masquerade dance.
