Sonikara Group launches community museum

The launch was held at the NCAC Office in Banjul.

Ousman Gumaneh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sonikara International Museum (SIM) said the aim of the museum is to ensure young people are proud of their community’s intangible cultural heritage particularly in Basse.

He pointed out that there has never been a community museum project in the community before to revitalise and preserve their artifacts for future generations.

Mr. Gumaneh added that the collections of the artifacts will be put together, comprising 320 among which 105 are archaeological artifacts such as thunders store and necklaces while 125 will be craft materials.

According to him, in 2018 he began a tour of various communities in URR to research about the importance of artifacts collection of the Sarahulleh community from ‘our ancestors tradition to date.’

Muhammad Magassy, Former National Assembly Member for Basse Constituency hailed the initiative, noting that a country cannot develop in the absence of its culture.

Hon. Magassy added that the Basse community museum would help the National Centre for Arts and Culture decentralise museums across the country.

"We have laid the stepping stone and needs the support of The Gambia Government to establish the museum in Basse for the wellbeing of people of Upper River Region and the country at large," he said.

Mamat Sallah, Deputy Director of Museums assured NCAC of their cooperation in the implementation of the Basse Community Museum.