By Yunus S. Saliu
Janjanbureh hosted the 9th edition of the Kankurang and Masks Festival from January 23 to 25, 2026, on historic McCarthy Island. The event was organised by the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), in collaboration with the Janjanbureh Event Management Committee.
The three-day festival featured more than 20 masquerades and a range of cultural performances showcasing Gambian heritage and traditions. Over 10,000 people attended, including cabinet ministers, National Assembly members, regional governors, councillors, traditional leaders, tour operators, tourists, and other stakeholders.
Deputy Permanent Secretary at MOTAC, Siaka Fadera, opened the festival on behalf of Minister Abdoulie Jobe. He described the event as “a landmark celebration that reflects the soul of our nation and the enduring strength of our cultural heritage.”
Fadera highlighted the Kankurang as a living cultural legacy symbolising moral guidance, guardianship, identity, and social cohesion. He noted that its inclusion on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity underscores the need to preserve and transmit it to future generations.
He added that the festival has become a platform for cultural preservation, youth engagement, community pride, and sustainable tourism, in line with the government’s vision to make culture a pillar of national unity and inclusive growth. He said the initiative also supports the National Tourism Policy and the National Development Plan (YIRIWA) by promoting decentralised development, job creation, and community-based tourism.
Fadera reaffirmed MOTAC’s commitment to supporting cultural festivals nationwide and announced plans to develop at least three internationally recognised festivals to enhance tourism and promote The Gambia’s cultural image. He commended the people of Janjanbureh and partners, including the European Union and the International Trade Centre, for their continued support.
Central River Region Governor Ousman Bah said the festival represents a strong expression of Gambian identity and collective memory. He noted that it creates economic opportunities for youth, women, and creative entrepreneurs, praising NCAC, MOTAC, and development partners, particularly the European Union and EU-Youth Empowerment Project, for strengthening the festival’s organisation.
President of the Event Management Committee, Mohammed Lamin Saidykhan, described the festival as a sacred gathering celebrating culture and identity. He said the theme, “Unmasking Tradition, Celebrating Identity,” calls for a deeper understanding and responsible transmission
