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 The former village of Serrekunda Market Town,
in Gambia, (also spelt Serekunda), has a population of about 337,000.
The name which means 'the home of the Sere family', is the
largest town in Gambia and is located a few kilometres inland from the
coastal
resorts of
Kololi and
Kotu.
Serrekunda really consists of 9 villages.
These have merged over the
years into one large urban sprawl encompassing Churchill's Town,
Latrikunda & London Corner.
Serrekunda Market:
 It
is said to have originally started by just a few women sitting by the
dirt road selling a few fresh vegetable and dried fish. Over time
other local sellers joined them until it is what it is today.
It is made up of wide, sprawling
suburbs, heavily overcrowded, and is loud and bustling in nature. It's
central hub is Serrekunda Market and
Sayer Jobe Avenue which is packed with local shops,
banged out taxis, merchants, craft sellers, street peddlers from all over West Africa
and some Arab countries.
It is the place to visit if you want to experience 'culturally vibrant'
urban African life.
Batik and Craft Factory:
Located in Dippa Kunda you can see the
batik making process from the design,
waxing, boiling to the finished product. This is one of the
major batik factories in the Gambia supplying many of the local
stalls with locally made batiks. Here you will find fabrics being
drawn, waxed and boiled. Use this opportunity to shop a couple
of souvenirs.
Wrestling:
This is the National sport of the Senegambia region.
Wrestling
contests take place every weekend Saturdays and Sundays in the
local wrestling arena in Serrekunda or at the national stadium
in Bakau. Each wrestler has a group of Djembe drummers who frantically
beat there drums before each bout and the total event last for one
hour.
Paper Recycling Project:
An
environmentally innovative scheme located at the 'Craft Village' which
was set up by an English artist which introduces traditional skill of
papermaking which helps students to acquire books. Tel: +220
7707090
gambianpaper@yahoo.co.uk
Alliance Franco-Gambienne:
The French Cultural Centre focused on teaching French classes,
cultural activities such as theatre and live musical performances, a library, a
Cafeteria and a music recording studio where local Gambian talent can
hire and record their
music. It is easily accessible as it is located on
Kairaba Avenue (Pipeline
Road).
Tel: +220 - 437 5418
Note:
Pickpockets
are very active in the
 Serrekunda area
(Geographical co-ordinates 13.46°N, 16.69°W) so keep your cash and jewellery
well tucked away i a bum bag.
It is illegal to export from The Gambia any article made from wild
animal skins, ivory, feathers or any other part of any protected
creature. Offenders will have goods confiscated and fines might
imposed.
 
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