Gambia Tourist Support
The Gambia
Tribes

The tribal life of The Gambia is still a rich collection of culture, with rules about mixed marriages as well as ancient traditions

Updated 8/4/2000

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The Gambia
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Mandinka
Jola
Wolof
Fula
Serahuli
Creoles

There are 5 main tribal groups and the subject about which is the most ancient or original is hotly debated.

The Jola (Diola) were probably here first; they are now located mostly in western Gambia. The largest group is the Mandinka (Malinke or Mandingo), being about two-fifths of the total population. The Wolof are the largest group in the capital Banjul. The Fula (Fulani) settled in the largest numbers in the upriver areas. The Serahuli (Soninke) are a mixture of Mandinka and Fula, and are concentrated in the upriver areas.

Each has its own musical and cultural traditions of dance, dress as well as stories and legends.