Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LOWER GAMBIA RIVER
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Jufureh & James Island
When Alex Haley, the American author of
Roots,
traced his origins to
Jufureh
, the tiny vil-
lage quickly turned into a favourite tourist destination. There's little to see, though the
small
slavery museum
( 7710276;
www.ncac.gm/juffureh.html
; Jufureh; admission D50; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat)
, which traces slavery in The Gambia and includes a replica slave ship, is worth a visit.
One of Gambia's most significant historical sights is
James Island
. It houses the remains of
Fort James
(1650s), an important British colonial trading post since 1661 and the departure
point of vessels packed with ivory and gold as well as slave ships. Over subsequent dec-
ades, it was the site of numerous skirmishes. Variously held by British, French and Dutch
traders, as well as a couple of privateers (pirates), it was completely destroyed at least three
times before being finally abandoned in 1829.
The ruins of the fort are quite extensive, though badly neglected - the only intact room is
a food store, which is often called the slave dungeon for dramatic effect. The biggest threat,
though, is rapid coastal erosion, which literally pulls away the ground the ruins stand on.
The easiest way to visit Jufureh and James Island is with an organised tour. Otherwise,
take the ferry to Barra and find a shared (D35) or hire taxi (return D400) or hop on a
pirogue
(from D600) from Albreda (the town next to Jufureh).
