By Lamin Kujabi & Aminata Sanneh
His Excellency President Adama Barrow on Saturday, 6th January, officially opened celebrations marking the 200 years’ existence of Janjanbureh in the Central River Region.
The four-day event, which began on January 4th, took the form of cultural performances by different cultural troupes, parading of the diverse masquerades in the region and country, seminar and symposium.
High-profile invited dignitaries from across the sub-region and beyond graced the historic event.
In his official launching address of the event, President Barrow described Janjangbureh as a historic town, and “an island where hope was restored to captured Africans who were unjustly seized, unjustly treated, and unjustly removed from their homeland and families without any regard for their rights and dignity”. Thus, he posited, “it is with mixed feelings that we have organised this historic festival to remember the events of the mid-nineteenth century”.
President Barrow took the opportunity to reaffirm African Union’s stance on reparations for the damages caused by slavery and colonialism, noting that The Gambia will seize the MacCarthy Island Bicentenary celebration to use its diplomatic, intellectual, and cultural advantage to promote the reparations agenda.
He called on the country’s youth to strive hard to make it in the country rather than taking the rough routes across the Atlantic to Europe in search of economic opportunities.
Speaking on behalf of President Macky Sall of Senegal, Amadou Bah, Prime Minister of Senegal, described Gambia and Senegal as the same people and that the event is theirs too. He thanked The Gambia government through minister of Tourism and Culture, Ahmat NK Bah for the invitation, while extending President Sall’s fraternal greetings.
Madam Patricia Scotland KC, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, remarked: “200 years ago there was a small place called The Gambia. Our ancestors fought for freedom and this has reflected on our present reality”. However, she advised that more work needs to be done for more freedom, equality, justice, and human rights.
The Secretary General further opined that the “link between our past and present, must be our values”. He went on: “There are many challenges affecting our lives [including] poverty, and conflicts”.
She thanked The Gambia government for organising such an event, noting that commemoration is a moment of reflection.
Hamat NK Bah, Minister of Tourism and Culture, expressed appreciation to the President for his individual support, and all other people, institutions and organisers for working tirelessly to ensure this celebration was a success.
He revealed that the idea of this celebration came when he was invited by Ivory Coast government to attend a programme there.
For Ousman Bah, Governor of Central River Region, the celebration is about culture and history of The Gambia.
He expressed delight for hosting the event and thanked everyone for their contributions to the success of the event.
The historic Janjanbureh celebration was also attended by ministers; Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service; former President of Soamlia; Dr. Isatou Njie Saidy, former Vice President of The Gambia; Honourable Mama Kandeh leader of Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC); mayors, governors, and district chiefs.
