Mandinka Drumming & Singing in the Gambia

Mandinka drumming and singing at a naming ceremony in Sukuta, The Gambia. More videos at www.onegambia.com.

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Wolof Traditional Music of the Gambia

Traditional wolof singing and drumming by Group Rakaju of the Gambia. A onegambia.com production.

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Wolof & Serere Singing in Gambia

Traditional singing at a programme organised by OneGambia Promotion.

More videos at www.onegambia.com.

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International Labor Day

Today is May Day or International Workers Day (Fête du Travail) which is observed all around the World as well as Senegal & Gambia.

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Travel Vocabulary IV

See Travel Vocabulary III
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Here are a few things that you may come across if traveling to Senegal or the Gambia.
bazin – dyed fabrics that are beaten to a shine with wooden clubs
campement – could be loosely translated as ‘hostel’, ‘inn’ or ‘lodge’, or even ‘motel’; it is not a camping ground (Senegal)
djembe – short, [...]

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Travel Vocabulary III

See Travel Vocabulary II
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Here are a few things that you may come across if traveling to Senegal or the Gambia.
auberge – hostel or small hotel
balafon – wooden xylophone typically played by griots
calèche – horse-drawn cart used to carry goods and people, particularly in the rural regions of Senegal
dibiterie – grilled-meat stall
fête – festival (Senegal)
gargotte – [...]

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Culture Notes – Greetings

Extended greetings are an important part of social interaction and many doors will open for you if you are capable of exchanging simple greeting phrases in the local language. Even a few words make a big difference.
Most areas are Islamic, and upon entering someone’s home, announce your arrival with a confident ‘Salaam aleikum’ (peace be [...]

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Travel Vocabulary II

See Travel Vocabulary I
——————————————————-
Here are a few things that you may come across if traveling to Senegal or the Gambia.
alham – white Mercedes bus, also called N’Diaga N’Diaye in Dakar
beignet – simple deep-fried donut (Senegal)
calesh – horse-drawn taxi usually seating about three people behind the driver
demi-pension – half board (dinner, bed and breakfast) (Senegal)
essence – [...]

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DATA UNAVAILABLE …

If you are wondering why the weather and solar/lunar conditions for Banjul is not appearing (located on the side bar on the right-hand side) it is apparently because the “City is not reporting.” Which can be caused by equipment or communication failure which can last from a few days to a few weeks. Once the [...]

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Some Mandinka

The Mandinka language, sometimes referred to as Mandingo, is a Mandé language spoken by millions of Mandinka people in Mali, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea-Bissau; it is the main language of The Gambia. It belongs to the Manding branch of Mandé, and is thus fairly similar to [...]

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A Couple Slang Words…

Sai Sai -
“That little crafty one.” (Euphemism given to AIDS in the poor suburbs of Dakar, Senegal.) Also means bad person, “playa”, pimp, crooked business person, etc. Used for men & women. Can be like an insult or badge of pride.
Bin Bins -
A string of beads worn on an elastic string. Senegalese girls typically wear [...]

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Travel Vocabulary

Here are a few things that you may come across if traveling to Senegal or the Gambia.
afra – grilled meat, or grilled meat stall (Gambia)
benechin – rice baked in a thick sauce of fish and vegetables (Gambia)
cadeau – gift, tip, bribe or a hand-out (Senegal)
dash – bribe (noun); also used as a verb ‘You [...]

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