21/11/2023
"DAL JAMMA" - GAMBIA
"DAL JAMMA - GAMBIA LIVING EXPERIENCE SERIES.
INTRODUCTION
THE GAMBIA'S HISTORICAL BACKGROUND :
The Gambia has a rich and diverse history that spans for thousands of years.
The first known inhabitants of the region were Hunter Gatherers who lived in the area around 1,0000 B.C.E. Over time several Empires and Kingdoms rose and fell partly including Ghana Empire,Mali Empire and the Songhai Empire.
The various ethnic groups in The Gambia area included the Mandinka,Fula,Wolof and Jola.
In the 15th century,portuguese explorers arrived in The Gambia and began trading with the locals.
Soon after other European powers,including the British and french started establishing colonies in the region.The British eventually gained control of the area in the late 19th century,and The Gambia became a British protectorate in 1888.
BANJUL CITY
The capital city of The Gambis is BANJUL.
It is located on an island at the mouth of The Gambia River,where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Banjul City has a population of around 31,301 people according to the 2013 census,making it one of the smallest capital city in Africa.
INDEPEPENDENCE PERIOD :
The Independence struggle in Gambia was relatively peaceful compared to other African countries.The country was a British colony until 1965 when it gained independence.The independence movement in Gambia was led by political parties such as the People Protectorate Party (PPP) and The Gambia Democratic Party (DGP).The PPP led by Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara was the dominant party during the independence movement ; and eventually became the ruling party after independence.A series of negiations and constitutional reforms characterized The Gambia's Gambia independence struggle.
In 1960,the British granted self - goverment to The Gambia and allowed for a new constitution created a bicameral parliament with the House of representatives being elected by the people while the House of Chiefs consisted of traditional leaders.
