As
the world evolves and new and more sophisticated items are developed,
technological advancement is having a great impact on world’s cultural
heritage.
The
issue is more compounded with advances in today’s tech world, which seem to
overshadow many areas and worse affected are cultural norms.
It
is said that many communities across the world are fast losing identity due to
cultural erosion, but there are things that make heritage that The Gambian
community cannot afford to lose. Continued concerted and deliberate efforts are
therefore needed to preserve many of aspects of the Gambian culture and
heritage.
Heritage
is major player in national development that can create youth jobs, increase
tax revenue and help build a booming tourism culture.
Recently,
the National Centre or Arts and Culture with support from the Youth Empowerment
Project in collaboration and its partners convened a two-day fest
dubbed-Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival that attracted thousands of culture
lovers. The fest among others seeks to enhance the development of Janjanbureh
as a tourism destination; promote youth employment in the areas of creative
tourism, while extending sustainable socio-economic and cultural benefits of
tourism in rural Gambia.
The
Gambia is endowed with rich masquerades such as the Kankurang, Gesseh, Fairy,
Hunting, Kumpo, Ifangbondi and Zimba.
As
righty stated by one of the speakers, in traditional African societies,
festivals serve to galvanize the community in a celebration of life, as it
helps the people know that they are alive and also provide the opportunity to
relieve the tensions and drudgery of everyday life.
With
increasing threats mainly due to advances in tech and civilization, there is
need for more aggressive campaign to highlight the importance of preserving
one’s culture.
More
importantly, there is need for more community involvement in preservation of
natural and cultural heritage. We should also intensify the use of latest
technologies, such as social media, to promote the preservation of nature, and
more involvement of communities to ensure heritage historical myths (folklore)
among others, are well preserved.
We
must always bear in mind that our intangible cultural heritage is a bridge
linking our past with our future.
“
Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would
protect the rights and privileges of free people and who would preserve what is
good and fruitful in our national heritage.”
Dwight
D. Eisenhower