The Vibrant New Year’s Hunting Masquerade Tradition in Banjul

My Magazine 2025/01

2 min

KNOW

The New Year’s hunting festival is one of the most anticipated cultural celebrations in The Gambia, with Banjul hosting the largest and most spectacular event. The capital city’s masquerade parade draws thousands, as the hunting societies lead the festivities with their vibrant displays. Though Banjul’s celebration is the highlight, smaller events take place in Serekunda and other parts of the country, especially in regions with larger Aku communities, each adding their own unique flavour to the tradition.

This colourful parade brings together local communities and visitors from all over to celebrate, compete, and showcase their artistic creativity. It’s a day eagerly awaited by many Gambians, with children often talking about it weeks in advance. The hunting societies play a central role in the event, with the EKUN BABA HUNTING SOCIETY, ODILLEH HUNTING SOCIETY, and, more recently, the GUN SHOT HUNTING SOCIETY leading the celebrations. The festival traditionally happens on New Year’s Day, unless it falls on a Sunday, in which case it is postponed to Monday to respect the Sabbath.

The Spectacle of the Big Devil

The first to emerge at noon is the “Big Devil,” adorned with striking decorations, including long, curvy animal horns. As the Big Devil parades through the streets, it is followed by enthusiastic spectators who clap, sing, and wave intricately decorated sticks to encourage the performers. Each hunting society showcases unique masks and costumes during different segments of the day. At 2 p.m., a second round of hunting features masks depicting wild animals such as lions, tigers, and rhinos. This pattern repeats at 6 p.m., culminating in the grand “Egereh” event from 8 p.m. to midnight, where all the societies present their finest performances.

The Art of Masking and Tradition

The Hunting Devil masquerade, deeply rooted in African culture, holds particular significance for Christian festivities. The masks are masterfully crafted, often from recycled materials like jute sacks, cowries, and animal skins, and feature headdresses with embalmed or carved animal heads. These intricate pieces require significant investment, with some societies importing components from abroad. Iconic designs, such as the white tiger and bear masks, have gained popularity over the years.

Performers are covered in green leaves and wear white socks, enhancing the visual appeal of their rapid dances. The Hunting Devil is accompanied by a guide and a caretaker who sprinkles palm oil from a calabash on its backpack and chants incantations to pacify it when necessary. Drummers and dancers provide an energetic backdrop as the parade winds through Banjul’s streets, with spectators throwing money to the performers for good luck.

Cultural Heritage and Community Spirit

The tradition of hunting parades is attributed to the Aku ethnic group, descendants of formerly enslaved people who returned to Sierra Leone and later migrated to Banjul. This cultural legacy has been preserved and celebrated through the hunting masquerade, highlighting the rich history and vibrant spirit of the Gambian people.

For those who missed this year’s event, the upcoming Janjanbureh Festival offers another opportunity to experience the thrilling performances of hunting societies, kankurangs, zimbas, and other masking traditions unique to The Gambia.

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