Culture and customs of Gambia
By: Abdoulaye Saine
Series: Culture and customs of Africa; Culture and customs of Africa
Publisher: Greenwood
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Santa Barbara, Calif
Language: eng
Number of pages: 204
ISBN-13: 9780313359101; 9780313359118
Subjects: Social life and customs; Civilization
Description: Synopsis:  This title in the Culture and Customs of Africa series examines the traditions and customs of contemporary Gambia, a geographically tiny nation in the vast landscape of Africa that is home to a large number of various ethnic groups, each with its own distinctive way of life. It is a country that has been largely unknown in Western culture, with the exception of Alex Haley's book Roots and subsequent TV series, which highlights Gambia's historic significance in the slave trade. This book illuminates Gambian religion and worldview; literature and media; arts and architecture/housing; gender roles, marriage, and family; social customs, traditional dress, cuisine, and lifestyle; and music and dance. The author has successfully encapsulated both long-ago history and contemporary Gambia to provide students with a complete look at life in Gambia today. Information on past traditions and historic events is discussed in the context of how they pertain to life today and their influence on the constant evolution of Gambian life and culture.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Religion and worldview; title: Literature and media; title: Art and architecture/housing; title: Cuisine and traditional dress; title: Gender roles, marriage and family; title: Social customs and lifestyles; title: Music and dance; title: Changing landscape.