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Stories and Voices

Stories & Voices brings together personal reflections, community memory, and lived experience from Janjanbureh and beyond. These stories are not written about the destination, but from within it — shared by community members, visitors, youth, and cultural custodians who have taken time to listen, learn, and reflect.
Each piece offers a different way of seeing: moments of first encounter, accounts rooted in tradition, and journeys shaped by connection. Together, they form a growing record of voices that help humanise Janjanbureh — its heritage, its people, and its ongoing story

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Alpha Jallow fishing from a wooden canoe on the River Gambia at sunrise

Jane Smith

Chris Gomez Leads two Paddling Expeditions From the Far East to the Sea

While Janjanbureh is known for its cultural heritage and river life, it is also emerging as a base for serious river expeditions led by local guide Basiru (Chris Gomez)

Alpha Jallow fishing from a wooden canoe on the River Gambia at sunrise

Jane Smith

Fishing the River Gambia in Janjanbureh later to sell at market- Alpha Jallow

At first light on the River Gambia, Alpha Jallow works quietly, guided by tide, season, and long experience.

Alpha Jallow fishing from a wooden canoe on the River Gambia at sunrise

Justice MK Saidykhan

From Initiation to Adulthood: The Kankurang Tradition in Janjanbureh

Based on Justice Saidykhan’s 2014 account, this piece traces initiation rites, community values, and the cultural roots of the Kankurang.

Alpha Jallow fishing from a wooden canoe on the River Gambia at sunrise

Wuri Bah

Welcoming Visitors to Jamali, a Fula Village reached by horse and cart

Trained guide, Wuri Bah shares how community-based tourism brings visitors cultural exchange and new opportunities to his Fula village.

Alpha Jallow fishing from a wooden canoe on the River Gambia at sunrise

Chris Sylla

First Encounters at the Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival for Chris Sylla

A first visit inland leads musician Chris Sylla to the Kankurang Festival—where tradition, conversation, and learning left a lasting impression.

Alpha Jallow fishing from a wooden canoe on the River Gambia at sunrise

Banna Kongira

How Banna Built Talamanca Lodge: From Art Gallery to Solar-Powered Success

ITC reports how EU-supported solar panels helped Banna Kongira’s Talamanca Lodge thrive in Janjanbureh.

Alpha Jallow fishing from a wooden canoe on the River Gambia at sunrise

Isatou Foon

How Community-Based Tourism Training Changed My Life

Isatou Foon, President of the JJB Tour Guides Associationexplains the impact of the training on her own life

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