Ndemban; The authentic Gambian experience

If you have always been around Banjul whenever you visit The Gambia, it is time to explore other beautiful destinations in the peaceful country. This time, a visit to get a taste of village life is what you need, especially if you are coming from the metropolis of this world.

Of course, Ndemban is the place to be for the authentic Gambian cultural experience. The rural setting with its unspoilt landscape offers community based tourism amidst amazing welcome. At the village famous for its communal living, discerning tourists enjoy their stay in the purpose-built accommodation that incorporates homestay (a purrpose built accomodation for tourists in family homes, which proudly embodies the culture and eco-friendly ideas that are prominent with the Jola culture).

Moreover, staying at the family homes offers visitors opportunity to experience a completely different culture, while cultivating new perceptions, and at the same time, supporting the community.

During your stay in Ndemban, visitors run common village errands such as roasting cashew nuts, working with women at the garden, preparing lunch, picking fruits, helping their homestay family with daily chores, or even playing football with the local youths after a busy day. Sometimes, the best experiences are not planned as the guide is always on hand to help visitors communicate and ask questions.

After an amazing welcome, village tour is recommended to the visitors.  The tour, which falls into three categories: cultural, ecotours, and handicrafts, enables visitors to explore Ndemban village on foot or on oxcart with experienced community guides. At the village, there is something for people of all ages and abilities.

Despite having an itinerary, the beauty of the Ndemban Village tour is that many activities just happen naturally as you become part of village life. Some of the highlights of the village tour include visits to the Alkalo (village head), blacksmith, cobbler and schools.

Visitors are also urged to participate in hands-on workshops to make natural soap, Batik prints, and tie dye with the handicraft cooperative ladies in the village. The workshops also give willing visitors the opportunity to make their own souvenir for keeps or give as a gift.

Yet, a taste of authentic African menus on offer is a must for visitors tired of the junks served in the cities. Hence, the famous Abajorr Restaurant is the meeting point for those anxious for a taste of ‘Mama Africa’s’ cook. At the African themed restaurant, meals are always freshly prepared from local ingredients. The unique thing about Abajorr meals is that they are often recreated or reinvented, which brings to mind the casual homelines of country side cooking.

From savoring the food, which is part of Ndemban culture, guests are ushered into a bigger culture fiesta of traditional wrestling, which is Gambia’s oldest sport. Surrounding villages send their best wrestlers against each other to measure each village power and also to provide entertainment. The wrestlers exhibit raw strength, confidence and especially friendship that visitors admire a great deal.

The children are not left out. There is the provision of outdoor and indoor activities for visitors such as learning, story telling, playing games, singing and dancing all with cultural flavor.

While security is guaranteed, tourists also have the opportunity to experience and cultivate perceptions from other cultures. Beyond the homestay, there are many exploration activities crafted in mind with tourists seeking their roots.

The adventurous among the tourists are better engaged at creek fishing; an exciting experience where fishing guides are available to teach fishing to every level and age angler all year round. The boat services are also first class with top of the range equipment.

Also, a walk in Ndemban forest is more than a guided tour. It is an experience that tourists will never forget in a hurry. The village professional guides lead visitors through a unique and very dynamic tour. From the river estuary mangroves to the big trees, the tour takes in all the splendour that nature has to offer. The walk consists of a boat trip across the Ndemban creek to the Ndemban community forest passing through mangroves and along lakes and streams; a half kilometer walk along the scenic community forest which takes you to the best pranic healer and traditional healer in the Gambia dubbed ‘the bush doctor’.

A visit to Women’s Garden and Poultry offers visitors opportunity to hear talks on gardening methods by master gardeners and to explore new crops and their growing methods, which may be useful to them on return to their various countries.

Likewise a visit to the local bakery and going behind the scenes to learn the secrets of the local ‘tapalapa’ breads and pastries is exciting. While no one is insisting you must make the local breads, no knowledge is a waste.

Well, Gambia Tourism Board; promoters of the Ndemban Village tours, parade an array of professional tour operators and grand handlers that will make your tour a memorable one. The board and Ndemban people await your visit, especially this summer.

OBINNA EMELIKE