Land and People

Named after The River Gambia which flows through its length from east to west for three hundred miles, The Gambia is a relatively small country in West Africa.

Its population of 1.2 million lives within a narrow belt extending from either side of The River Gambia.

The principal ethnic groups arc the Wollofs and the Mandinkas the former living mainly in the capital city of Banjul, while the latter constitute the single largest tribal unit of The Gambia.
These ethnic groups are reminiscent of the former Empire of the Wollofs in the Senegambian Region and the famous Mandingo Empire of Mali and Songhai.

In addition there are the light-skinned and straight-haired Fulas and the trading Sarahuleys.
Another group, the Akus or Creoles, are an important segment of the local elite; there are some Mauritanians, Morrocans and Lebanese, mostly traders and shopkeepers.

The Gambians are usually tall, dark and sturdy people with fine features and an easy going charm.

Each ethnic group speaks its own language, but English is commonly spoken as well as being the official language of the country.

There not only is harmony between the different groups, but a fusion is taking place by cultural interaction and intermarriage, to an extent that the Gambia can be called a melting pot of West African ethnic groups where a modern composite African is being evolved.

The population is predominantly Muslim with more than 90% following Islam. The remaining 10% are mostly Christians of different denominations including Anglicans, Methodists, and Roman Catholics.
Most of the people are strict in their Religious practices and the devout Muslims can be seen praying not only in Mosques but also in other public places at all prayer times of the day.
There is, however, no fanaticism and amity prevails between religious and ethnic groups.