Foto: Memories of the slave era (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Gambia - After breakfast, we drive by bus to Janjanbureh, formerly called Georgetown. This place on an island in the Gambia River played an important role in the slave trade. Slaves were gathered from the hinterlands at Janjanbureh. From here, they were transported to Banjul for further transport. Unfortunately, the tour through the village is only by bus. From the bus, Kebba points out the remnants of buildings where slaves were held by the English. Slavery was abolished only in 1823. Some freed slaves stayed to live on Janjanbureh island. We stop at the freedom tree. A slave who managed to touch the tree regained freedom. With the presence of English soldiers, this was practically impossible. Kebba explains that the current tree is no longer the original 19th-century tree. The tree now symbolizes the freedom of the people.
The capital city Banjul
Gambia - Banjul is the capital of Gambia and lies on a peninsula on the south bank of the Gambia River. Together with the country's largest city, Serekunda, it forms the main economic region of Gambia. Trade is conducted everywhere along the roadside—in stalls, ...
The Kiang West National Park
Gambia - At the wooden pier, two not very large boats are moored. We distribute ourselves over the boats. When we cross the Gambia River to the mangrove forests of Kiang West National Park on the other side, it turns out the boats are not completely watertight. ...
The stone circles of Wassu
Gambia - The stone circles of Wassu are presumed to be ancient burial monuments. About two thousand years ago, the circles were erected. The pillars were dug from nearby rocks. Using wooden beams, the pillars were rolled to the location of the circles. At least, ...