As part of marking the 9th Edition of the International Roots Festival, Janjanbureh in the central River Region (CRR), which was a main slave centre during the colonial era, also participated in celebrating the event. The International Roots Festival has attracted thousands of people nationally and internationally.
Speaking during the event, the Governor of Central River Region, Mr Gangi Touray, welcomed all those who attended the event, noting that culture is not only to entertain but to bring unity between people. He explained that the International Roots Festival is here to bring understanding, unity and support that characterise our relationship as well as our firm belief in the principles of equality across cultural understanding and international peace.
Governor Touray went on to thank President Jammeh and his government for initiating the International Roots Festival as an event with a view to building bridges between Africans and those in the Diaspora for meaningful development and cooperation.
The Roots Festival was organised by the Department of State for Tourism and Culture, National Centre for Arts and Culture and The Gambia Tourism Authority. Wsaau stone circles, which was part of the slaves centres, which was supposed to be visited could not be visited due to some unknown reasons. In Janjangbureh, other speakers during the Festival included The Chief of Janjangbureh Foday Manka and the head girl of
The event was punctuated by various cultural groups providing entertainment for the people, of which, the Fula cultural groups were named the best performance in Janjangbureh.
Juffureh and Albreda were also visited as slaves centre's and a large number of people turned out to participate in dancing and singing.