The people of Sukuta, under the auspices of the Sanchaba Youth Development Association, in collaboration with Sukutarians in the Diaspora, will on Saturday stage the first-ever Dembadu cultural festival, the organisers told The Point yesterday.
Sam Jarju, one of the initiators of the festival, a great Gambian cultural music guru himself, who now lives in Germany, said the event was conceived by him and fellow Diaspora Sukutarians as an avenue, not only for them to meet one another but also to discuss and propose possible collective assistance to the development of their home, Sukuta.
“It would not be possible to help our people individually but when we meet here with them we could work out things that could benefit them generally,’’ he said.
The festival kicks off at 10 am Saturday 2 March and will take the form of a procession across the length of the town and a display of the multiple cultures of the people of The Gambia and Casamance in the sister republic of Senegal.
Over a dozen cultural and dance groups including famous local bands such as Jalimadi, Juffereh, Kunta Kinteh and others will feature in the all-day event.
Several dignitaries including the Minister of Tourism and the speaker of the National Assembly are expected to attend.
