People and Culture
A wide variety of ethnic groups live in The Gambia, each preserving its own language and traditions with minimal intertribal friction. The Mandinka are the largest ethnic group with 42% of the population, followed by the Fula (18%), the Wolof (16%), the Jola (10%), and the Serahule (9%). The Sere, Aku, and Manjago also live in The Gambia but in smaller numbers.
Approximately 30,000 non-Africans live in The Gambia, including about 20,000 Europeans and over 5,000 people of Lebanese origin. Recent immigrants to The Gambia include those of Senegal, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Mauritanians who tend to run the many small shops in Banjul.
Muslims constitute more than 90% of the population while Christians of various denominations account for most of the remainder. Gambians officially observe the holidays of both religions and practice religious tolerance. More than 70% of Gambians live in rural villages, although more and more young people come to the capital in search of work and education.
While urban migration, development projects, and modernization are bringing more Gambians into contact with Western habits and values, the traditional emphasis on the extended family, as well as indigenous forms of dress and celebration remain integral parts of everyday life.
The Lebanese Community
There is a large community of Lebanese in The Gambia, many of which have been in West Africa for generations. The Lebanese are known in the world for their entrepreneurial spirit (as are the people from India of which many also reside in The Gambia) and therefore they run many of the local businesses, including shops, restaurants, hotels, and service providers. However, though the Lebanese are aiding the local economy and creating employment for many Gambians, unfortunately friction between the two does at times exist.
Variations in Culture in The Gambia…
- It’s often cats, not dogs, that beg for food at the table of a restaurant.
- Cigarettes are less then US$1 per pack, yet rice, being a staple food, is expensive, not to mention mostly imported.
- The thighs are the most erotic part of a women’s body, not the breasts.
- Friday is ‘dress your best’ day rather than ‘casual’ day due to it being the Muslim holy day.
- The left hand and some water is used instead of toilet paper.
- Most Gambians live close to the Atlantic ocean or near the River Gambia, yet few have learned to swim.
- When at the end of a conversation on the phone, simply hanging up is sufficient rather than actually saying bye etc.
- Answering anything in the negative is considered impolite as is direct eye contact to someone of higher importance.
- "He" and "she" are used interchangeably when referring to either males or females.
- Hissing "psssst" is a normal way of attracting a stranger's attention, also to waiters in a restaurant.
- It’s perfectly normal for Gambians to yell “toubab” to every tourist they see. “Toubab” meaning white person.
- Goats are absolutely everywhere, yet goat is never on the menu…or is it?
- Local oranges and grapefruits are ripe when they are green.
- Burping after a meal is a positive and welcome sign that the food was good.
- Finishing off your plate means you are still hungry and not yet satisfied.
- A bottle of beer costs the same if not less then the same size bottle of water at a restaurant, about US$1.20
- Breakfast (often the second one) is at 11am, lunch is at 3pm, and dinner is as late as 9 or 10pm.
- If a man wears no shirt, he is deemed crazy, even in 45°C weather.
- Everyone loves Celine Dion.
- Spam, in about a hundred different varieties, is available all over the country and is very, very popular.
- Many Gambian men have the first name Lamin as this is traditionally a name given to the first born son in various Gambian tribe families.
- Many Gambian women have the first name Fatou as this is traditionally a name given to the first born daughter in various Gambian tribe families.
Some Superstitions and Taboos
- Owls are seen as a sign of death (not many owls are left in The Gambia because of this superstition).
- Anything done on a Saturday will be repeated in the future so many Gambians avoid visiting the sick on this day.
- It is considered bad luck to buy or sell soap at night.
- If a pig crosses your path and you don't mention it to anyone, you will have good luck.
- Watching a Gambian eat is considered impolite and sometimes therefore the onlooker is invited to eat with them.
On 'Borrowing'
Gambians like to ask others for things such as money and items to 'borrow', though what is actually meant is to take it and keep it without paying it back or giving the item back. Accusing a Gambian of stealing however is seen as extremely serious and rude so be careful and make sure you are certain of who the thief is and that no miscommunications have occurred.
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