Republic of The GambiaRepublic of The Gambia

The History of The GambiaThe History of The Gambia

The first written accounts of this region came in The first written accounts of this region came in the 9the 9thth and 10 and 10thth centuries by Arab traders. These centuries by Arab traders. These Arab traders established the trans-Saharan trade Arab traders established the trans-Saharan trade route for slaves, gold, and ivory. The area has route for slaves, gold, and ivory. The area has also been taken over by the Portuguese for the also been taken over by the Portuguese for the use of trade.use of trade.

The English bought the exclusive trade rights to The English bought the exclusive trade rights to the region but eventually helped in the fight the region but eventually helped in the fight against the slave trades.against the slave trades.

In 1888, The Gambia became a separate colonial In 1888, The Gambia became a separate colonial entity from Britain. entity from Britain.

More HistoryMore History

In 1906, Slavery was abolished in The GambiaIn 1906, Slavery was abolished in The Gambia During WWII Gambian troops fought with the During WWII Gambian troops fought with the

allies, and North American’s even used Gambia allies, and North American’s even used Gambia as a port of call and air stop. as a port of call and air stop.

President Franklin Roosevelt even spent the night President Franklin Roosevelt even spent the night in Banjul on his way to a conference in 1943, in Banjul on his way to a conference in 1943, making it the first visit to Africa by an American making it the first visit to Africa by an American President.President.

In 1962 full self government was granted to The In 1962 full self government was granted to The Gambia.Gambia.

History Cont.History Cont.

The Gambia gained its independence from the UK The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965.in 1965.

In 1970, The Gambia became a republic instead In 1970, The Gambia became a republic instead of the traditional Monarchy.of the traditional Monarchy.

In 1991, after a short lived federation with In 1991, after a short lived federation with Senegal, the two countries signed a friendship Senegal, the two countries signed a friendship and cooperation treaty.and cooperation treaty.

In 1994 a military coup resulted in banned In 1994 a military coup resulted in banned political activity and an overthrown president. political activity and an overthrown president.

In 1996 a new constitution was drafted and In 1996 a new constitution was drafted and presidential elections were held.presidential elections were held.

GovernmentGovernment The government is divided into 1 city and 5 divisions. The government is divided into 1 city and 5 divisions.

Banjul is the capital of The Gambia.Banjul is the capital of The Gambia. 5 divisions: Lower River, Central River, North Bank, 5 divisions: Lower River, Central River, North Bank,

Upper River, Western.Upper River, Western. The Gambia, a multi-party republic within the The Gambia, a multi-party republic within the

Commonwealth, is administered by an Executive Commonwealth, is administered by an Executive PresidentPresident

Elections are held every 5 years through secret ballots Elections are held every 5 years through secret ballots to elect candidates the the house of parliamentto elect candidates the the house of parliament

A new constitution was put into place in 1996. This A new constitution was put into place in 1996. This constitution better protects the rights of the people constitution better protects the rights of the people and provides the government with a strong and provides the government with a strong presidential power, a unicameral legislature, and an presidential power, a unicameral legislature, and an independent judiciary.independent judiciary.

EconomyEconomy Gambia is predominantly an agricultural country. Unlike the Gambia is predominantly an agricultural country. Unlike the

U.S. who is predominantly industrial.U.S. who is predominantly industrial. Exporting peanuts were the main source of income Exporting peanuts were the main source of income

(accounted for over 81%), until the government contributed (accounted for over 81%), until the government contributed to losing the largest purchaser. (By seizing the private to losing the largest purchaser. (By seizing the private peanut firm) peanut firm)

Gambia’s leading trading partners are China, Japan, and Gambia’s leading trading partners are China, Japan, and SenegalSenegal

Pre-shipment inspections and currency has deterred much Pre-shipment inspections and currency has deterred much of the trade of the trade

Until a recent military takeover, Tourism contributed to 60 Until a recent military takeover, Tourism contributed to 60 % of their Gross Domestic Products.% of their Gross Domestic Products.

Gambia has no significant natural resources or minerals.Gambia has no significant natural resources or minerals.

Gambian Greeting & CultureGambian Greeting & Culture

Greetings key to successful interaction with Greetings key to successful interaction with Gambians at every level (market, street, Gambians at every level (market, street, office, or phone)office, or phone)

Greeting acknowledges existence of another Greeting acknowledges existence of another human being taking the time to relate to human being taking the time to relate to him or her in a personal way is priority in him or her in a personal way is priority in Gambian society helping to achieve the goal Gambian society helping to achieve the goal of harmony and peaceof harmony and peace

Expected to greet every member of the Expected to greet every member of the community regardless of status or wealth; it community regardless of status or wealth; it shows respect and every member has an shows respect and every member has an important role to fulfill.important role to fulfill.

Gambian Greeting & CultureGambian Greeting & Culture Shaking hands (right hand) is part of the greeting Shaking hands (right hand) is part of the greeting

process; people shake hands as often as they see process; people shake hands as often as they see each other during different times of the day; each other during different times of the day; women however are not normally expected to women however are not normally expected to shake handsshake hands

Greeting a group of people or someone from a Greeting a group of people or someone from a distance, raising clasped hands takes place of the distance, raising clasped hands takes place of the handshakehandshake

When working or eating, the arm may be offered When working or eating, the arm may be offered insteadinstead

For greeting elders: a younger person greets an For greeting elders: a younger person greets an elder first and avoids direct eye contactelder first and avoids direct eye contact

Gambian Greeting & CultureGambian Greeting & Culture

Gambians express anger by refusing to Gambians express anger by refusing to greet the person; this is considered a greet the person; this is considered a great insult denoting a lack of respect great insult denoting a lack of respect

Foreigners living in The Gambia must Foreigners living in The Gambia must realize that they may hurt people’s realize that they may hurt people’s feelings by not greeting every feelings by not greeting every individual with whom they come in individual with whom they come in contact with even if it is during a contact with even if it is during a business transactionbusiness transaction

Gambian Greeting & CultureGambian Greeting & Culture In Gambia it is not necessary to be invited to eat In Gambia it is not necessary to be invited to eat

at any meal. You are always welcome!at any meal. You are always welcome! They eat from a large communal bowl; men have They eat from a large communal bowl; men have

one, women have one, and children have oneone, women have one, and children have one It is considered polite to wash your hands and It is considered polite to wash your hands and

“taste” the food even if you don’t feel like eating. “taste” the food even if you don’t feel like eating. If you do not want to continue eating you should If you do not want to continue eating you should leave the eating area and wait until they are leave the eating area and wait until they are through as it is considered impolite to watch through as it is considered impolite to watch people eatpeople eat

Right hand is used for eating (you eat with bare Right hand is used for eating (you eat with bare hands) even if you are left handed; you may use hands) even if you are left handed; you may use the offered spoon but eating with your hands is the offered spoon but eating with your hands is done to “please” the hostdone to “please” the host

Gambian Greeting & CultureGambian Greeting & Culture

Talking while eating, especially by Talking while eating, especially by children, is suppressed because it is children, is suppressed because it is considered disrespectful to the food considered disrespectful to the food and is against certain superstitionsand is against certain superstitions

It is not considered rude to belch; on It is not considered rude to belch; on the contrary it is an indication that the contrary it is an indication that you have eaten well and your host you have eaten well and your host will be pleased.will be pleased.

Gambian Greeting & CultureGambian Greeting & Culture

Clothes should cover most of the body and Clothes should cover most of the body and fit loosely so that they shape of the body is fit loosely so that they shape of the body is not revealednot revealed

In urban areas European style clothing is In urban areas European style clothing is commonly worncommonly worn

English is the official language used in English is the official language used in schools, courts of law, and the schools, courts of law, and the administration; local languages are widely administration; local languages are widely spoken also.spoken also.

LinksLinks http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/

factbook/geos/ga.html for economy.factbook/geos/ga.html for economy. http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/

factbook/geos/ga.html factbook/geos/ga.html http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/

africa/gambia/culture.htmafrica/gambia/culture.htm http://gambiainformation.atspace.com/gahttp://gambiainformation.atspace.com/ga

mbia-government.htmlmbia-government.html for government for government

http://www.worldtraveltips.net/africa/view.http://www.worldtraveltips.net/africa/view.cgi?country=Gambiacgi?country=Gambia this one has the thing about shaking this one has the thing about shaking hands.hands.