By Yunus S Saliu
The 6th edition of the Janjangbureh Kankurang Festival scheduled for 27th to 29th January 2023 is now the talk of the town that people from home and abroad are already descending on the popular Island called McCarthy Island, Georgetown, or Janjangbureh in Central River Region (CRR).
Janjangbureh Kankurang Festival has proven itself over time, it has moved from a community festival to a national festival and now to be rated as one of the country’s international festivals as people come from different parts of the world to join the indigenes to celebrate the festival.
Apart from over 10 different types of Kankurang which include McCarthy (Janjangbureh) Kankurang; Niamina Kankurang; Wuli Kangkurang; Niumi Kankurang among others, the festival will also accommodate and parade other popular masquerades in The Gambia such as Zimba, Hunting groups; fairy, drummers to perform this is with ideas of putting some of the masquerades in The Gambia culture in the proper contest.
More so, some Kankurang, masquerades, and other cultural groups from the neighbouring countries such as Senegal, and Guinea Bissau among others will partake in the festival.
Over time, the festival LOC in collaboration with the NCAC and other partners has learned more lessons to improve the celebration every year.
The 5th edition held between 28th to 30th January 2022 was witnessed by different VIPs such as the former Vice President of The Gambia, Governor of CRR, Minister of Tourism and Culture, National Assembly Members, and Councillors among others.
Also this year, more high dignitaries from within and outside the country are expected plus other international visitors, more tourists, and Gambians at home, besides the indigenes of McCarthy Island are all waiting for these days to come because it is like a homecoming for them.
Thus Janjangbureh is one of the oldest communities in The Gambia and it will celebrate 200 years of occupation in April this year. So far, the Hounourable Minister of Tourism and Culture has since inaugurated a National Organizing Committee (NOC) in December 2022 for the 200 Years of MacCarthy Island Homecoming Festival 2023.
The partners for the festival as usual include GTBoard; GTHI and so on.
Other activities for the celebration include the musical fund-raising show, JJB Historical and Cultural Walking Tours, Festival performance for each group, a show with Gambian artists, Janjangbureh marathon, community-based tourism tours, and lots more.
