The net-ferret website provides an exciting and stimulating way to learn and explore, using the Internet for National Curriculum based activities.
net-ferret Ventures
The Gambia
The Real St Lucia
Languages and Tribes
There are several different ethnic groups or tribes in The Gambia and each has its own language. People often speak each other's language but the official language is English. Children are taught in English at school. There are often two or three tribes living in the same area but live happily alongside each other.
This is the Head of the Village at Boraba. He is from the Mandinka tribe.They are often farmers, planting peanuts, millet, corn and rice in the rainy season, and fishing in the river. It is the largest tribe in The Gambia.
The chairperson of the Mother's Club at Boraba is from the Fula tribe. They traditionally look after cattle. At Boraba they are from both Mandinka and Fula tribes
Some Gambian teachers visited England. Here Rohey is showing the children how to make attaya tea. She is from the Wolof tribe.
The Jolas are known for growing rice. They
also live where palm trees grow.They process them for oil. It is also
possible to make wine from the sap of the trunk. Only the Christians
would drink this as Muslims do not drink alcohol
The Serahulie They are found mainly in Eastern Gambia and are thought to be one of the oldest tribes. Traditionally they are farmers and potters
The Aku These are the people who chose to
return to their homeland after slavery was abolished in America. Their
language is a broken English.
People in The Gambia greet with the phrase
'Asalaam aliekum' and reply 'Maaliekum salaam'
It means 'Peace be upon you' and ' and peace be upon you'
It is Arabic.
You will see it written with many different spellings which is confusing!