Journey to Kunta Kinte Island: Uncovering Gambia’s Slave History

Journey to Kunta Kinte Island: Exploring the Heart of Gambia’s Slave Heritage

Join me on an unforgettable travel vlog as I embark on a scenic adventure from Banjul, Gambia, all the way to the historic Kunta Kinte Island (James Island). Traveling by two local buses, a ferry across the Gambia River, and a traditional pirogue boat, I discover the powerful legacy of Kunta Kinte’s life and the broader history of slavery in The Gambia.

00:00 – Intro & Overview of Journey
01:29 – Bus Ride from Banjul to Juffureh
08:06 - Interview on Gambian tribes and Attaya green tea
11:19 - Getting on the Ferry
20:00 - Bus to Kunta Kinte's village
21:17 – Meeting the Female Village Chief
26:55 – Meeting Kunta Kinte’s Descendants
32:31 – Exploring the Juffureh Slave Museum
51:45 – Boat Trip to Kunta Kinte Island (James Island)
1:03– Walking through Slave Quarters & Fort Ruins
1:15 – Reflections on Slavery’s Legacy in The Gambia

In this video, you will see:
1. Bus Ride to Juffureh – Experience the vibrant Gambian countryside as we take two local buses from Banjul to the village of Juffureh, where Kunta Kinte was born.
2. Meeting the Village Chief – Learn about Mandinka traditions and governance as we meet the first female village chief of Juffureh, who shares stories of her ancestors and the preservation of oral history.
3. Interview with 8th‐Generation Descendants – Hear firsthand from Kunta Tinte’s 8th‐generation relatives. Their personal anecdotes and family heirlooms bring to life the story of their famous forebearer.
4. Exploring the Slave Museum – Walk through the Juffureh Slave Museum, where original shackles, documents, and traditional artifacts illustrate the harrowing realities of the Atlantic slave trade in The Gambia.
5. Boat Trip to Kunta Kinte Island (James Island) – Board a small wooden boat to reach the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the former slave holding quarters, barracoons, and fort ruins on this remote island in the Gambia River.

Why this story Matters: Kunta Kinte Island, also known as James Island, was once the epicenter of the transatlantic slave trade in West Africa. From the 16th to the 19th centuries, European powers—primarily the British—established trading posts on James Island and Albreda Island. Enslaved Africans were captured inland, brought to these forts, and then crammed onto ships bound for the Americas. Gambia’s strategic position along the river made it a critical route for human cargo, forever altering the lives of countless individuals and shaping the history of the African diaspora.

By exploring Kunta Kinte Island, meeting descendants, and witnessing the village’s present‐day culture, we remind ourselves of the enduring impact of slavery. This vlog aims to educate, to honour those who suffered, and to celebrate the strength of Gambian heritage.

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Relevant Links & Resources
UNESCO World Heritage: Kunta Kinte Island (James Island) –https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/761/
Juffureh Slave Museum Information – https://visitgambiatosupportgambia.co...
Further Reading: Roots by Alex Haley; “Gambia and the Atlantic Slave Trade” Documentary – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roots:_...

Hashtags#KuntaKinteIsland #JamesIslandGambia #GambiaTravelVlog #SlaveryHistory #AfricanHeritage #Juffureh #WestAfricaHistory #RootsStory #GambiaTourism

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Music: Ikson
Song: Tropical

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