This visionary project has brought two traditional mud-house museums to life—one representing the Fulani, the other the Mandinka community—preserving the unique customs, artefacts, and knowledge of each group while creating new opportunities for locals and visitors alike.
Construction of the museums was done using authentic mud-building techniques, led by experienced Fulani builders and supported by local youth. From preparing the earth and water mixture to shaping walls with hands, the process itself became a form of heritage preservation. Grass was sourced and used for traditional roofing. For longer duration, the inner walls and floor were plastered with cement, and windows and doors were added for protection.
The Heritage Haven Museums are not simply display spaces—they are living museums. They anchor a wide-ranging immersive experience that lets visitors engage directly with rural Gambian life.
Here’s what you can do in Kerewan Samba Sira:
Join the cotton revival project, helping with planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, removing seeds, spinning, and weaving—depending on the season. This is not only educational but open for volunteer opportunities as well.
Learn how to prepare traditional dishes alongside village women using age-old techniques and ingredients—then enjoy the meal you helped create.
Tour the village with a local guide: visit the alkalo (village head), local bakery, stone circles, the Fulani and Mandinka museums, and more.
Spend time contributing to village life—whether by reading with children, helping in classrooms, or assisting in the small local clinic.
Decorate calabashes with village artists or try baobab rope-making, a craft still practised in the region.
Time your visit with traditional festivals or ceremonies for an unforgettable encounter with Fulani and Mandinka music, dance, and attire.
Visit the village herds, learn about Fulani nomadic traditions, and even try your hand at milking cows in the early morning.
Walk through the rice fields to understand the labor and skill behind one of the region’s staple foods.
Stay with a local family, share meals, stories, and daily life in a deeply meaningful cross-cultural exchange.
The Heritage Haven Museum Project was designed to be community-led, ensuring that the benefits of tourism remain in the hands of the people. A transparent income-sharing model is in place, and a rotating participation system allows more community members to be involved and earn. Training, mentoring, and continuous feedback help ensure quality experiences for visitors while building skills and confidence locally.
Through this initiative, young people are encouraged to stay in their village, heritage is being actively preserved, and Kerewan Samba Sira is becoming a destination not just for tourists, but for meaningful, ethical cultural exchange.
We invite you to step off the beaten path and experience the real Gambia. Whether you're a curious traveller, volunteer, educator, or cultural enthusiast, Kerewan Samba Sira offers something unforgettable.
Book your experience with My Gambia
Call us: +220 214 0000
Email: travel@my-gambia.com
Or explore the full experience and village details here:
The Cotton Project at Kerewan Samba Sira is a visionary initiative aimed at reviving The Gambia's cotton industry and creating a unique, community-based tourism experience. In collaboration with the village of Kerewan Samba Sira, this project seeks to bring back...
Read MoreYou can join a guided tour or visit the village independently—our team and the community are ready to welcome you.
This project was supported by a grant from The Heritage Management
Organization, funded by the Mellon Foundation’s Humanities in Place program.
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