Gambia to host British artists at Kartong Festival

The annual Festival is expected to attract dozens across the country and from abroad to the grounds of St Martin’s Basic Cycle School in the centre of the village in Kombo South District of the West Coast Region in the Gambia.

There will also be a series of performances and workshops in local lodges in Kartong village, which will feature Sabar drummer Modou Diouf and Sona Jobarteh, the first female kora virtuoso to come from a prestigious West African griot family.

A team of 39 will join the organising committee of Kartong Festival, which has run in the Gambian southern coastal village since 2004. Among the foreign crew are visual artists, choreographers, costume makers, drummers and teachers as well as people skilled in fundraising and event production.

The aim is to share expertise and help the festival maximise its potential, including its appeal to tourists. The Brits hope to learn more about Gambian and West African traditions including kankourang costume making, music and dance.

The British incursion is coordinated by Global Grooves, an international carnival arts organisation based in the north of England. “Our work takes us all over the world, learning and sharing our knowledge and skills of international carnival customs," Global Grooves CEO Leon Patel said

“The Festival has the potential to become the number one attraction for visitors to the Gambia and for it to serve as a vehicle for bringing money into local communities rather than the European businesses that dominate tourism. This is not a one-off. We hope to build a lasting friendship and relationship with Kartong Festival," he said.

Patel, an experienced percussionist, teacher and event organiser, first met the Kartong Festival committee during a visit to the Gambia in 2016. Though the purpose of that trip was to help establish a bush taxi social enterprise in Manjai Kunda, once he met the event organisers, he vowed to return to join the festival team.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Global Grooves," Modou Kuto Manneh, coordinator of the Kartong Festival committee, said . "This cultural exchange provides a great opportunity for everyone involved, from the youngest school children to the most respected musicians and performers. We have ambitious plans for future festivals and believe that sharing our culture, traditions and lifestyle can play a crucial role in bringing more tourism to Gambia.”