Heritage and History Lovers
From early trade and colonial rule to stories of liberation and living traditions, Janjanbureh offers layers of history waiting to be uncovered. Beneath its quiet appearance lies a remarkable story of people, place, and memory. Explore the heritage that has shaped the island and continues to influence life in Janjanbureh today.
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Discover Janjanbureh
Discover a place shaped by the River Gambia and centuries of history. Learn how the island acquired its name and explore the events and communities that helped shape the Janjanbureh of today.
Step into the town's colonial past as you visit historic buildings and the Kankurang Museum. A guided walk reveals stories and details that can easily be missed when exploring alone.
Janjanbureh's rich history has been recognised by UNESCO as a place of remembrance of slavery and post-slavery. Situated on the River Gambia, it first became a refuge for Maroons and later a settlement for Liberated Africans.
In our 'Stories and Voices" Justice Muhammed K. Saidykhan introduces the traditional initiation rites which, although modernised over time, remain an essential part of life and cultural identity in Janjanbureh today.
This article from The Point newspaper adds further context to the UNESCO official announcement in July 2025, when Janjanbureh was inscribed into UNESCO's prestigious Memory Sites Network in recognition of its important role in the history of liberated Africans and the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. and highlights the importance of Janjanbureh's inclusion within the growing international network of places of memory and reflection.
The bicentenary celebrations in 2023 marked two hundred years since the founding of Janjanbureh. This moving article reflects on the island's historical significance and the powerful themes of homecoming, reconnection and rediscovery of heritage that resonate strongly with Gambians, the African diaspora and visitors from across West Africa.
Travelling by local transport, a solo traveller shares her first impressions of Janjanbureh and quickly realises that one night is not enough. Her account introduces the island's history, visits to the Freedom Tree and the so-called 'Slave House', and asks thoughtful questions about what she sees and hears.
Although more than a decade old, this CNN feature remains a valuable introduction to the island. The presenter explores Janjanbureh's history through conversations with local people, including the late 'Voice of Janjanbureh', Taka Titi. The programme also highlights old warehouses, the importance of education among the Aku community, the oldest Methodist Church in Sub-Saharan Africa and the later development of Armitage School.
Presented in the Mandinka language, this report from Mandinka News revisits Janjanbureh's connections with the Atlantic slave trade and explores the island's historical significance through a local lens. It is a reminder that history continues to be explored, debated and retold within Gambian communities themselves.
Locate this historic river island as you journey inland through ever-changing landscapes shaped by the River Gambia, culture and history. Learn something of the town, its people and its heritage before you arrive.
This video by Lucky Loves Gambia presents the traditions and narratives associated with the building commonly known as the 'Slave House’ by the guide there, Abdullah. It is a powerful reminder of the suffering caused by the transatlantic slave trade and of the importance of preserving places of memory. At the same time, historians continue to examine the origins and history of the building itself, built in 1909, making it part of an ongoing conversation about memory, evidence and interpretation in Janjanbureh.