Roots River Cruise

We decided to take a river cruise along the River Gambia to visit the villages of Albreda & Juffureh. Albreda was a trading post for slaves & there is a slavery museum there now. Juffureh was the home of the famous Kunta Kinte & his ancestors still live there now. In the middle of the river is James Island, on which are the remains of Fort James. The island was initially used for the gold & ivory trade, & later for the slave trade. The visit to Albreda & Juffureh was quite interesting, but the boat journey was quite long (2 hours each way) with nothing much to see en route. We did briefly see some dolphins on the way back though.

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Reg, Izzy, & Litty on the boat (just leaving Banjul port)                  On the boat

 

Some people in a canoe                  Just arriving at Albreda

 

Welcome to Albreda/Juffureh                  This statue was errected a few years ago to show that there will never be slavery in this area ever again.

 

A cannon used to protect Albreda from potential invaders                  The freedom flag pole (or what's left of it). If a slave could swim from James Island to Albreda & touch the flag pole they would be free. Nobody ever managed it.

 

A school                  Elephant tree (look closely)

 

Outside the slavery museum                  Outside the slavery museum

 

Izzy, Ellen, Litty, & guide.                  Some of the metalwork used to keep the slaves under control

 

A notice announcing an auction for slaves.                  Some info about Kunta Kinte & the "Roots" book/TV series.

 

A register of slaves that were freed in 1831                  Studying the register.

 

Shackles                  Whip

 

Replica of a slave ship                  Litty, Ellen, & Isobel posing with a boy playing a kora

 

A typical building                  Litty, Ellen, & Isobel with the chief of Juffure (Mrs Tako Taal)

 

A certificate to show that we met the chief of Juffure!                  Meeting some of the local kids

 

Meeting some of the local kids                  Ancestor of Kunta Kinte

 

The girls with an ancestor of Kunta Kinte                  Local kids

 

Goats in a tree!                  Walking back to the boat

 

James Island                  In the canoe going to James Island

 

Our boat                  James Island

 

Canons on James Island                  Canon on James Island

 

Fort James on James Island                  James Island

 

Fort James on James Island                  Old landing place

 

Old landing place                  Izzy, Ellen, Sara, Reg, & Litty

 

Izzy                  Reading the history of Fort James

 

Fort JamUpside Down trees (?)                  Going back on the boat

 

On the top deck                  James Island in the distance

 

Litty                  Izzy

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