Sunu Life Gambia

By Agie Kumba Bah   The Gambia a small country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal on three sides and has a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Gambia is known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse ecosystems, and vibrant history, being the smallest country on the African mainland. The River Gambia runs through the country, providing fertile land and serving as a crucial resource for agriculture and fishing. Diving deep into the Gambian cuisine a reflection of the country's diverse ethnic groups, including the Mandinka, Wolof, Jola, Fula, and Serahule, each contributing unique flavours and dishes. The food is characterized by its use of local ingredients such as rice, millet, cassava, and a variety of vegetables and spices.  Here are some of the ethnic groups and there tradition foods DOMODA: Also too known as ‘DURANGHO’ is a groundnut stew made with groundnut paste typically served with rice, combined with meat or fish and flavoured with toma...

By Fatou S Camara Religion is a key pillar in understanding the culture, tradition, and lifestyle of the Gambian people. It shapes values, influences customs, and guides daily interactions. This report provides a historical and cultural overview of religion in The Gambia, from traditional belief systems to the dominant religions practiced today. Religious Landscape Today (2024–2025) The Gambia remains a predominantly Muslim country, with Islam representing 96.4% of the population. Christianity accounts for 3.5%, while a small fraction of the population still practices indigenous African religions, often blended with Islam or Christianity. Religion Before Colonialism Prior to the spread of foreign religions, Gambians practiced traditional African religions rooted in animism, ancestral worship, and the use of charms or amulets (jujus). These practices were deeply connected to nature, spirituality, and communal rituals, with sacred sites like Kachikally Crocodile Pool in Bakau playing...

  By Beatrice L Gomez For centuries, African societies have been deeply rooted in traditions—values, customs, and practices passed down through generations. These include respect for elders, communal living, reverence for marriage, indigenous spirituality, and a strong connection to native languages and cuisines. However, in recent decades, the surge of Western modernity has begun to erode many of these cultural foundations, reshaping African identities in the process. Globalization, consumerism, and technological advancement—hallmarks of Western influence—have increasingly shaped social structures across Africa. Younger generations are embracing individualism and personal freedom, often at the expense of traditional values. Respect for elders, once a cornerstone of social life, is diminishing as Western ideals challenge hierarchical family and community dynamics. The traditional African family structure is also undergoing a transformation. Once characterized by extended, multi-gen...

 By Fatima Cham So, you’re used to seeing folks in cotton dresses, jeans, maybe a crisp shirt or that everyday corporate fit. But have you ever paused to wonder about the deeper layers of fashion in The Gambia? Let me walk you through a style story that's often overlooked — the rich, regal, and radiant world of Gambian élégance. The kind of elegance woven into our very identity, passed down in fabrics, threads, and tradition. The Gambia may be small in size, but her cultural depth? Immeasurable. One of the most vivid ways this diversity shines is through our traditional attire — vibrant, symbolic, and woven with pride. Today, we journey through the tribes, exploring how Gambians wear their identity like art. The Mandinkas Attire This is what one would call Grace in Every Thread. Step into any Mandinka gathering and you'll see it immediately — that air of elegance, of heritage proudly worn. For the men, it's all about the grand boubou or kaftan — long, flowing robes that fal...

By Rohey Sallah   Let me tell you something, if you ever find yourself in The Gambia and expect everyone to sound the same, you're going to be beautifully confused. In this country, It’s a whole concert. Languages overlapping like the tides. Mandinka here, Wolof there, a sprinkle of Fula, Serahule, Jola, Manjago, Bainunka, Aku—yes, Aku English is its own vibe and then of course, the colonizer’s leftover: English, the official language. But let’s be honest, it’s only official on paper. In real life? We code-switch like we breathe. Mandinka carries the voices of the elderly. It's warm, rich and almost like someone wrapping you in a soft cloth and offering you kinkeliba tea. It’s the most widely spoken language here, consisting of about 38% of speakers in there Gambia. It’s the language of storytelling, respect, tradition. “I be di?” or "Korri tanan teh?". means “How are you?” But it feels more like: “I see you. Are you holding up?” There’s something healing about it. W...

By Adama M. Joof Have you ever wondered what stories lie beneath the colorful beads tied around a woman’s waist? Images of the different beads in the wollof tradition Waist beads, known locally as Jaljalli, have long been part of the Wolof tradition, passed down from mothers to daughters across generations. In the Wolof community, waist beads are more than just accessories, women wear them discreetly beneath their clothes as a personal charm, sometimes as a seductive whisper to a lover, and often, as a quiet affirmation of self-worth and beauty. It starts in the earliest years. Small white beads tied with white thread are worn by baby girls even before they walk. Elders believe these beads help infants take their first steps faster, protect them from illness, and shield them from the evil eye. But beyond protection, this moment is seen as a mother’s first step in shaping her daughter into a woman of culture and strength. Small beads for infants As girls mature, they wear the colorful w...