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Juffure, Gambia, Gambia

Marcin Kowalski
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The small town of Juffure situated at the northern bank of the Gambia river, 30 km southeast of Banjul. It's especially known for Alex Haley`s novel `Roots`. In this world-renowned novel he traced his family roots back to an African ancestor named Kunta Kinte. Kunta Kinte was one of 98 slaves brought to Annapolis, Maryland aboard the ship Lord Ligonier in 1767. Alex Haley's research led him to Juffure, Gambia, the village he claimed that his ancestor was taken from. In 1997 this was reason enough to organise a Roots festival. The festival, which ofcourse was based on the theme of Alex Haley's novel was designed to attract people of African descent in America and Europe and concentrated on authentic Gambian culture in the form of music and dance, arts and craft exhibitions, fashion shows and beauty contests as well as tourist excursions and educational workshops. Still the place attracts a lot of Roots pelgrims. More info on : www.world66.com