The Gambia is the smallest country of mainland Africa. This West African country stretches along on either side of the Gambia River and is surrounded by french speaking Senegal. English is the official language but the ethic groups that make up The Gambia's population generally maintain their own language and traditions. The different ethnic groups include Mandinka, Fula, Wolof and Jola. Islam is the main religion of the country and polygyny is prevalent, with women traditionally subordinate to men.
The country's economy is mainly farming, fishing and tourism. Peanuts have been the country's cash crop and are farmed across the country, as well as rice. Peanut growing and fishing are the responsibility of men within the Gambian society. The county has much poverty, which is highest in the rural areas. Increasing numbers of young people are moving to the capital, Banjul, in search of work, or move overseas.
Traditionally Gambian families tend to be large and three generations may live together in one household with each having different roles. The traditional emphasis on the extended family, forms of dress and celebration, remains integral to parts of everyday life.
People live in compounds, which are collections of homes around a central residence, occupied by members of the same family, or related by blood or marriage. The responsibility for the maintaining family and communal co-operation is with the head of the household who is usually the oldest male. Immediate families, such as a wife and her children, often occupy individual buildings or parts of a building with separate entrances, with the larger extended family sharing the compound as a whole.
The traditional extended family plays a central role in Gambian society, which is essential because there is no government benefit system. The Gambia has many serious welfare problems and the state expects families to support those who need help, so old, young and infirm rely on family networks.
Schooling for primary school children used to be free. The new President has changed this and introduced fees. Older children, up to 19, have always had to pay. In order to go to school children of all ages must have a uniform and be able to buy their books as well as all their supplies such as pens and paper. A lack of resources often also means that children don't have the opportunity to receive an education and even more so recently, there has been a recent significant drop in the number of children attending and finishing school.
The country's economy is mainly farming, fishing and tourism. Peanuts have been the country's cash crop and are farmed across the country, as well as rice. Peanut growing and fishing are the responsibility of men within the Gambian society. The county has much poverty, which is highest in the rural areas. Increasing numbers of young people are moving to the capital, Banjul, in search of work, or move overseas.
Traditionally Gambian families tend to be large and three generations may live together in one household with each having different roles. The traditional emphasis on the extended family, forms of dress and celebration, remains integral to parts of everyday life.
People live in compounds, which are collections of homes around a central residence, occupied by members of the same family, or related by blood or marriage. The responsibility for the maintaining family and communal co-operation is with the head of the household who is usually the oldest male. Immediate families, such as a wife and her children, often occupy individual buildings or parts of a building with separate entrances, with the larger extended family sharing the compound as a whole.
The traditional extended family plays a central role in Gambian society, which is essential because there is no government benefit system. The Gambia has many serious welfare problems and the state expects families to support those who need help, so old, young and infirm rely on family networks.
Schooling for primary school children used to be free. The new President has changed this and introduced fees. Older children, up to 19, have always had to pay. In order to go to school children of all ages must have a uniform and be able to buy their books as well as all their supplies such as pens and paper. A lack of resources often also means that children don't have the opportunity to receive an education and even more so recently, there has been a recent significant drop in the number of children attending and finishing school.
Subsistence farmers make up about 80 percent of the population in The Gambia. The majority of these subsistence farmers are women, responsible for garden farms. Women in the villages will often form groups, which function like cooperatives. By working together women are able to manage larger plots of land than working individually. There are hierarchies within the group that depend on age, significance and social standing. At the head of each group is a Lady President.
Crops grown by women in The Gambia include:
But there are many issues that the women face, such as not having adequate water supplies to grow their crops, as well as difficulties with storing and selling their produce. Many gardens rely on a well and bucket for their water, which is extremely hard work, if they can access the water table. And with a semi arid climate, with one wet season from June to October and then a seven month dry season, many crops become ready at the same time. This creates a glut in the market for produce, lowering prices, and, as there is no refrigeration, so much food rots and goes to waste because is cannot be sold and eaten in time. This leaves people hungry once the season is over.
Climate change is also having a significant affect on the weather pattern and many villages report crop failures because of unpredictable rain and changes to the seasons. The photo above is of a failed harvest of cous cous. This is creating its own new set of challenges and requiring many to re-think what they plant. Where communities may have traditionally planted cous cous, some are now turning to cassava. This plant is special as it can stay in the ground dormant until the rain comes and only then it will grow.
Crops grown by women in The Gambia include:
- Cous cous. This is actually millet and is an important source of carbohydrate.
- Cassava. This is a woody shrub that grows a starchy tuber, which can be used as a flour, can be made into porridge or can be cooked as it is. It is a good source of carbohydrate.
- Fruit and Vegetables are grown extensively by Women's groups. They include things like okra, greens, onions and tomatoes. All these crops tend to come into season at the same time, around January to April. Another important source of food is the mango. Mango trees can be found in nearly every village and their canopy often provides shade in the heat of the sun. These trees produce thousands of mangos at a time.
But there are many issues that the women face, such as not having adequate water supplies to grow their crops, as well as difficulties with storing and selling their produce. Many gardens rely on a well and bucket for their water, which is extremely hard work, if they can access the water table. And with a semi arid climate, with one wet season from June to October and then a seven month dry season, many crops become ready at the same time. This creates a glut in the market for produce, lowering prices, and, as there is no refrigeration, so much food rots and goes to waste because is cannot be sold and eaten in time. This leaves people hungry once the season is over.
Climate change is also having a significant affect on the weather pattern and many villages report crop failures because of unpredictable rain and changes to the seasons. The photo above is of a failed harvest of cous cous. This is creating its own new set of challenges and requiring many to re-think what they plant. Where communities may have traditionally planted cous cous, some are now turning to cassava. This plant is special as it can stay in the ground dormant until the rain comes and only then it will grow.