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The Kankurang Traditional Masquerade, The Gambia, West Africa

The Faara Kankurang, a tradition masquerade holding machetes, stands on the porch of a hut whilst a small child looks at him, and a woman cooks food over an open fire. The Gambia, West Africa. Image ©Jason Florio

The Kankurang is a secret society of traditional masquerades, The Gambia, West Africa, used in traditional Mandinka circumcision and initiation rites, whose rituals can be seen all over The Gambia and Senegal, West Africa.

It is not uncommon here in The Gambia to see fledgling Kankurangs boldly strutting along in the middle of the road, surrounded by a gang of former initiates (like his protectors), brandishing a pair of machetes. As you approach, the Kankurang stands stock still in front of the car so that you have little choice other than to stop. The ‘protectors’ then surround the car, dancing, singing, and beating out a rhythm with sticks on battered old plastic water containers – ‘donations’ are expected for their performance, whether you wanted it or not. Even after all the years of witnessing such scenes, I still find the Kankurang’s high-pitched screeches and clashing together a pair of rusty old machete’s, at close range, intimidating. However, once you put a few dalassi on the tip of one of the Kankurangs machetes, the gang are happy and smiling, shouting thank you’s, as they stand aside and wave you on, striding up the middle of the road again, looking for the next car.

Masquerades

During initiation ceremonies, the Kankurang – with his former initiates/protectors – is joined by the villagers who dance and sing around them. Always keeping a respectful distance because, at any given moment, the Kankurang can turn around, clattering his machetes, shrieking at the top of his voice, running at the crowd. We have observed (and filmed up close, in Casamance, Senegal) this for ourselves, and the fear is palpable as the villagers scatter, screaming, in every direction! The secret societies of masquerades are entrenched in tradition and are thus highly respected.

Words by Helen Jones-Florio. Images ©Jason Florio

Media - The Zimba Masquerade, the Gambia, West Africa © Jason Florio for Brussels Airlines inflight magazine — Brussels Airlines (Page 9) – The Zimba Traditional Masquerade, the Gambia, West Africa © Jason Florio

‘the non-human form of the masquerade gives the viewer the impression of a spirit being…’ Jason Florio – BInspired/Brussels Airlines inflight magazine (page 9).

Watch the masquerades in action: Fête de la forêt, Casamance, Senegal, West Africa. Video & stills by Jason Florio & Helen Jones-Florio for United Purpose, NGO(formally, Concern Universal)

#DocumentingGambia

Photographer/videographer, Helen Jones-Florio, films the 'Zimba', one of The Gambia's many traditional masquerades, West Africa. Image © Jason Florio — Photographer/videographer, Helen Jones-Florio, films the ‘Zimba’, traditional masquerade, Kembujeh, The Gambia. Image © Jason Florio

Current location: The Gambia, West Africa

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Gambia Elections, 2021 – in pictures

Gambia Elections 2021 -a man emerges from the voting room, guarded by a policeman. Image © Jason Florio

Gambia Elections, 2021 – On December 4th Gambians headed to the polls for the 2021 Presidential Election. Unique to The Gambia, voting is done by dropping a marble into a barrel with a picture of the candidate on it.

It was the first elections since 2016 when former president, Yahya Jammeh, after 22 years of dictatorship, lost the vote.

#GambiaHasDecided

Gambia Elections 2021 - a woman's hand holding marble to vote with, a purple ink finger signifies that the person has voted. Image © Jason Florio — Gambia Elections, 2021 – at the polling stations, each person has their finger dipped in ink to show that they have voted, and given a marble with which to vote with. Image © Jason Florio

‘The Gambia – victims, and resisters’

Portraits and testimonies from survivors of the former regime of Yahya Jammeh

Gambia Elections 2021 -Gambians line up to vote at the polling station. Image © Jason Florio — Gambia Elections, 2021 – Gambians line up to vote, Mama Koto polling station, Bakau. Image © Jason Florio

@jasonflorio – see more images

Gambia Elections 2021 - people line up to vote at a polling station. Image © Jason Florio — Gambia Elections, 2021 – Gambians line up ready to vote, Kotu Quarry polling station, Kotu. Image ©Jason Florio

Gambia Elections 2021 -polling staff sealing the voting barrels, containing the voting marbles, as observers make notes. Image © Jason Florio — Gambia Elections, 2021 – Election officials sealing the barrels, containing the marbles, after voting closed at 5pm, Mama Koto polling station, Bakau. Image © Jason Florio

Gambia Elections 2021 - polling staff counting the marble votes, with a mosque in the background. Image © Jason Florio — Gambia Elections 2021 – Election officials using a tray to count the marbles – while observers and party representatives check for irregularities, Mama Koto polling station, Bakau. Image © Jason Florio

Gambia Elections 2021 -voting barrels, containing voting marbles, counted and re-sealed and polling station. Image © Jason Florio — Gambia Elections, 2021 – Each candidates barrel, containing the voting marbles, lined up post-count. Image © Jason Florio

Gambia Elections 2021 - the end of the voting day, the curtain doorway to a voting room lays dormant. Image © Helen Jones-Florio — Gambia Elections, 2021: at 5pm the voting ceases. A polling room curtain door lays dormant, after a day of constant voting traffic. Image © Helen Jones-Florio @doors_helenjonesflorio

@doors_helenjonesflorio

GAMBIA ELECTIONS 2021: LAWYER DARBOE ADDRESS HIS SUPPORTERS AFTER HE DECLARED THE VOTING AS FRAUDULENT. IMAGE ©JASON FLORIO — Gambia Elections, 2021: Opposition leader, Oussainou Darboe, calls for
calm after declaring the Gambian presidential win by incumbent, Barrow, fraudulent. Image ©Jason Florio

Gambia Elections 2021 - still from video footage of UDP supporters on Pipeline, outside opposition leader, Oussainou Darboe's house ©Jason Florio, The Gambia — Gambia Elections 2021 – still from video footage of UDP supporters gathering on Pipeline/Kairaba Avenue, outside opposition leader, Oussainou Darboe’s house after he announced the election results as being fraudulent ©Jason Florio, The Gambia

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GAMBIA ELECTIONS 2021: A BILLBOARD DEPICTING OPPOSITION LEADER, OUSSAINOU DARBOE, PARTIALLY DESTROYED BY ANTI-UDP SUPPORTERS, GAMBIA. IMAGE ©HELEN JONES-FLORIO — Gambia Elections, 2021 – A billboard, depicting opposition leader, Oussainou Darboe, UDP party, partially destroyed during celebrations for the (pre-final election count) incumbent, Adama Barrow.
Image © Helen Jones-Florio

Motion – watch our films about The Gambia

Current location: The Gambia, West Africa

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Voices of The Gambia on Human Rights – Amnesty International Africa

Screengrab from Youtube of Amnesty International Africa's short film on Gambia's human rights agenda

The Voices of The Gambia – we recently went out on the streets of The Gambia to film a series of vox pop interviews for Amnesty International Africa, talking to Gambian’s about their views on the human rights situation in their country today, in 2021.

Voices of The Gambia on Human Rights

Vox Pop interviews, The Gambia, West Africa. Footage by Jason Florio/Helen Jones-Florio (+voice-over by Helen Jones-Florio)

Gambians are going back to the polls this weekend, 4th December 2021. Since the departure of Yahya Jammeh in 2017, after 22 years of dictatorship, the human rights situation in The Gambia has improved.

Progress must continue (in The Gambia). Here are our 7-point human rights agenda we hope all candidates will commit to. Amnesty International Africa

A Human Rights Agenda for The Gambia

Footage by Jason Florio & Helen Jones-Florio for Amnesty International Africa

‘Gambia – victims, and resisters’

Portraits and testimonies from survivors of the former regime of Yahya Jammeh

#Portraits4PositiveChange

Current location: The Gambia, West Africa

For assignment queries, and image licensing – Contact here

Exhibition: ‘Hidden Gambia – a visual journey to the heart of The Gambia’

Exhibition statement from 'Hidden Gambia' in the garden of Alliance Francaise, The Gambia - photography

Exhibition: ‘Hidden Gambia – a visual journey to the heart of The Gambia’: The culmination of over five months of our mentoring and masterclasses with ‘Creative Industries’ for the International Trade Centre (ITC) Andandorr Program, the launch of the first of many exhibitions showcasing the work created by extremely talented Gambian, and Gambia-based, photographers, and filmmakers – kudos and congratulations to ALL the ‘Creatives’ for producing such amazing work! We are so proud of you.

Exhibition – ‘Hidden Gambia’

Exhibition images from 'Hidden Gambia' in the garden of Alliance Francaise, The Gambia - 'Hidden Gambia' photography — **Exhibition:** **‘Hidden Gambia – *a visual journey to the heart of The Gambia*’** opening night, Alliance Française cultural centre, Banjul. Exhibition opening Images ©Helen Jones-Florio

The exhibition was launched on Friday 26th November, 2021, in the beautiful surroundings of the garden of Alliance Française cultural centre, Banjul – and it will run through Dec 2nd, before moving on to its next location (TBD). Exquisite catering by Mampol and the team at Alliance Cafe.

Exhibition brochure for 'Hidden Gambia' in the garden of Alliance Francaise, The Gambia - 'Hidden Gambia' photography — **Exhibition:** **‘Hidden Gambia – *a visual journey to the heart of The Gambia*’** opening night, Alliance Française cultural centre, Banjul. Exhibition opening Images ©Helen Jones-Florio

A big hand also to the ITC team for working long hours, leading up to the opening, installing the exhibition – the first of its kind in The Gambia, using the ‘book frames’ idea. Which brings us around nicely to a shout out to the Photoville, NYC, team for the inspiration for the frames.

**Exhibition:** **‘Hidden Gambia – *a visual journey to the heart of The Gambia*’** opening night, Alliance Française cultural centre, Banjul. Image ©Helen Jones-Florio

Huge thanks to ITC Gambia for bringing us both on board for the program with the Creatives, giving the opportunity to work with such gifted Gambian, and Gambia-based, photographers and filmmakers.

Jason Florio & Helen Jones-Florio

Current location: The Gambia, West Africa

For assignment queries, and image licensing – Contact here

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‘The Gambia – victims, and resisters’

Portraits and testimonies from survivors of the former regime of Yahya Jammeh

@jasonflorio – see more images

Motion – watch our films about The Gambia

Current location: The Gambia, West Africa

For assignment queries, and image licensing – Contact here

Rate this:

Share this:

Portraits and testimonies from survivors of the former regime of Yahya Jammeh

Current location: The Gambia, West Africa

For assignment queries, and image licensing – Contact here

Rate this:

Share this:

Current location: The Gambia, West Africa

For assignment queries, and image licensing – Contact here

Rate this:

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