Focus-Gambia: Photographic Workshops in The Gambia, West Africa

Extract from Etu's Website...........

The grounds on which the Art Village is built, and therefore the village itself, is closely linked to local history. Tunbung, a Mandinka word meaning “our old settlement,” refers to the location as a heritage land. The people of the Tujering village, which lies close to Tunbung, lived here until they moved to settle new lands approximately one hundred years ago.

When you enter the Art Village you can immediately feel the inspiration of the Spirit of Tunbung, a source of local knowledge of tradition and the environment. The spirit of the Village is demonstrated through an appreciation of the advantages granted to us by nature and through the creativity it enables us to develop here.

The Spirit of Tunbung also establishes a constant exchange of both knowledge and experience between local inhabitants and visitors to the Village. In this way, the Village and the art created here demonstrate a modern interpretation of ancient local knowledge.

The trees, mud houses, and plants of Tunbung are also vital components to its Spirit, as they themselves provide a symbolic representation of how the local environment and culture unite to form a source of creativity and inspiration for its visitors. You can participate in workshops, visit the Palm Tree Gallery and the Rain House, or simply relax in a hammock under one of our big trees.