The first known record of The Gambia is a brief reference in the account by Hanno the Carthaginian of his voyage through West Africa around 470BC. During the 5th and 8th centuries AD most of the Sene-Gambian area was part of the Empire of Ghana, whose rulers were of the Serahuli tribe. In the centuries to follow, tribes of Mandingoes and Susus from the Fouta Djalon Plateau of Guinea established themselves in what is now known as Mali.
Charles II, King of England founded the Royal Adventurers Trading to Africa whose main objective was to purchase slaves for the West Indian and American plantations. In 1661 the company captured St. Andrew's Island in the River Gambia, renaming it James Island, built a fort on it and founded the first English settlement on the West African Coast.
During the 18th and 19th centuries there was bitter and protracted religious dissension, cutting across tribal loyalties. One consequence of the strife was that various chiefs sought treaty protection from the British established at Banjul, so British administration gradually spread over the whole country, the last such treaty being concluded in 1901 with Musa Molloh, Chief of Fulladu.
American author, Alex Haley, highlighted the slave trade from this area in his best selling book "Roots", also adapted for a TV mini series, as he traced his roots back to the banks of the River Gambia. Today, tourists can travel upriver on an excursion to some of the landmarks, including the village where Hayley's great, great grandfather, Kunte Kinte, is said to have been born. Find out more about the 'Roots' Excursion here.
The oldest English-speaking country in West Africa, The Gambia gained independence from Britain in 1965, led by Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, first President of the Republic of The Gambia. In 1977 he opened the 250 acre Abuko Nature Reserve, affirming with The Banjul Declaration his intention to protect and preserve the flora and fauna of The Gambia for future generations.
In 1990 the country celebrated its 25th anniversary of peace and stability. A bloodless coup took place in July 1994, and an interim government was installed. The following election was won by Yahya Jammeh who remained in power for 22 years.
In December 2016 the election was won by Adama Barrow who was sworn in as president the following February.
In 2018 The Gambia rejoined the Commonwealth having received unanimous support from the member states.
Gambia or The Gambia?
You may be wondering which is the correct way to refer to this country, known as The Gambia, you may now be wondering why? When The Gambia was first explored by the Portuguese, they named the country after The River Gambia, therefore The Gambia became its name. Then when the British arrived in the country, they took this name on. However, in 1964, one year before The Gambia became independent from Britain, the Prime Minister wrote to the commission to ask if The Gambia could continue to be used, as Zambia was becoming independent at the same time, and by adding 'the' it would reduce confusion, as they sound similar.
