Gambia Day

Flavours of the Gambia came to life  when the school held a multi cultural day for Yr 7. The  year group were off normal timetable to participant in dance, drama, music, art and food workshops.

The students had a thoroughly enjoyable day and learnt about the culture of this unique and friendly country. Music and dance are an integral part of everyday culture in the Gambia. There are drum based  dances for all occasions from birth to marriages.

The folk tale workshop was led by drama specialist Debs Browning, using genuine artefacts she had gathered from her recent visit to the Gambia. The students acted out a  Gambian folk story using props and costumes and things you would find in everyday life in a Gambian market.

“I loved the drama story telling workshop with Miss Browning, because it was fun and we got to act out the story. The video we saw about the Gambia was interesting, I thought that life there would be a lot more civilised. I thought they would cook on a stove, not on an open fire,” said Grace Baker.

“My favourite workshop was the drumming. I didn’t realise you could make so many different sounds with it. I also learnt that in the Gambia they make their own drums out of animal skins.  I was quite shocked because they have to get water from a well and I thought they would have taps in their houses!” Anna Valentine.

The food demonstrations were a definite hit. They were led by Mrs Taylor who went on the Gambia visit in 2006. Classes helped put together a typical Gambian meal and learnt about hygiene and the different kinds of crops grown. Students sampled some of the food and learnt about how a typical family eats. There is now a demand for some Gambian recipes click here to access them.