Kafuta Eco-Village
We’re spending three nights in an eco-village in the Gambia. I have cut and pasted some factoids from their website.
After all the noise of the truck engine, the sound of the waves on the beach, the sounds of people camping nearby, passing traffic etc, it’s really nice to be able to hear the sound of silence.
The pace of the trip is really slowing down now that we’ve left the deserts of the Sahel and Western Sahara and have entered Africa proper. My pace is also slowing down although I suspect I will start going backwards if I slow down anymore. There are plenty of events offered by the community here but I only went on a canoe trip and attended a cultural evening. I’ll write about those later.
The place itself is very basic and not really up to western standards although this is what is offered. Not that this really matters. It’s amazing how easy it is to adjust. Indeed, it is an essential skill to cultivate in order to be able to survive here in West Africa, let alone enjoy yourself. The people here seem rigorously honest and decent and I’m sure what they mean by ‘tourist’ standard is a bit different to what it actually is. They are very dedicated to their model and the tourist eco village is an important source of income. They want it to succeed but don’t quite get western expectations. Maybe it’s just as well that they don’t. Remember the story about Gandhi? Someone asked him ‘what do you think about British civilisation? ‘ He replied ‘I think it would be a very good idea’
Here’s some factoids about the place:
Tumani Tenda is a Jolla Village with approximately 300 inhabitants living in seven extended families. It is situated 25 km East of Brikama and 3 km from Kafatu, a tributary/Bolong of the Gambia River. This small hamlet derives its name from a peanut picker, called Tumani, who lived in the area; Tenda means riverbank. The founder of the village, the late Alhaji Osman, a Koran scholar, established the community 30 years ago after immigrating from Casamance. A community evolved which is described as a religious community embracing certain values, notably a sustainable attitude to the natural environment, a socially responsible style of living, respect for the elderly, independence, self-sustainability and a sense of community.
Tumani Tenda owns 140 hectares of land, of which 89 are sustainably cultivated, with a species rich forest that is continually upgraded with seedlings and serves as a pharmacy and natural water reservoir. Plants and crops grow in abundance and include maize, millet, groundnuts, vegetables, herbs and spices, bananas, grapefruits, oranges, mangoes, lemons and many others.
THE CAMP
The accommodation is built in a way that is sensitive to its surrounding environment, using local resources and materials. The round houses consist of comfortable rooms, decorated and furnished to give an authentic African atmosphere. All the furniture is locally handcrafted and the tye dye material is made in the village. All rooms have mosquito nets and lighting facilities. The flush toilets and showers are situated behind the in a separate building. All water is clean, fresh and derived from one of the village wells.
The main meeting area consists of a beautifully built hut with shell floors and a big mahogany table where everyone sits around for eating and relaxing. There are also four hammocks for chilling from the midday sun.
The area also includes the bar from where drinks can be purchased and where the buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. The kitchen is situated just next to the restaurant area on a separate hut. This is where the delicious typical dishes are prepared by the women of the village.
A VISIT TO TUMANI TENDA IS TOURISM WITH A SOUL
It brings visitors in touch with the day-to-day lives of the people, hearing their history, their culture, their present realities and dreams for the future. The Tumani Tenda Community will welcome you into the community and reveal some of the routines of their village life. The villagers give visitors the opportunity to experience their special cuisine, treasured dances, and sacred rituals and invite guests into their homes. Such hospitality is inherent at Tumani Tenda where the villagers welcome visitors to witness the rich complexity, self-sufficiency and tempo of village life.
Opportunities are available to visit women’s projects, the school, the poultry, the horticultural garden and community forest. Visitors are encouraged to absorb themselves in the atmosphere of the village through asking questions and participating in certain activities in order to gain understanding of life in a rural Jolla Community. In essence visitors can experience a unique blend of education, vacation, recreation, relaxation, adventure and learning.
Opportunities are available to buy products made by the people of Tumani Tenda which visitors may take home as distinctive souvenirs of their experience, such as soap, baskets, batiks and tye and dye material. Visitors to Tumani Tenda will be able to experience the special relationship that the villagers have with the natural environment and witness the many examples where the villagers conserve and preserve the environment from which their livelihoods depend on.
RESPECTING ETHICS AND MORALS OF THE VILLAGE
On visiting Tumani Tenda visitors are requested to respect the local culture and it is recommended that the following codes are adhered to:
In respect of the Muslim religion that is practised in the village please refrain from wearing short skirts and short shorts. Swimwear is also not acceptable to wear in public areas.
In order to avoid the bad habit of begging visitors are requested not to give children sweets, pens and other gifts. Any gift and donation should be passed to the village alkalo or Camp manager to be distributed appropriately through the village development fund.
Keep the natural environment clean and refrain from throwing litter on the ground.
Visitors are encouraged to be respectful of the traditions and hospitality offered by Tumani Tenda and feel they are part of the community for the time they spend there.
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