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Momodou
Denmark
11718 Posts |
 Posted - 07 May 2010 : 22:03:42
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Brikama Craft Market Boss Speaks
By Seedy Darboe
It appears that there is a general consensus among stakeholders in the tourism sector that Tourism, which is the Gambia’s second largest income earner, is loosing its grip of being the centre of attraction for tourists.
Year-in year-out, The Gambia continues to register lower tourist arrivals. This does not only affect government’s income, but hundreds of thousands of people whose livelihood depends on this sector are as well threatened.
As we continue to sound the opinion of players in the tourism sector, for our today’s edition, our Tourism columnist recently had an exclusive interview with the president of the Brikama Craft Market, Mr. Saikou Ceesay.
"At the beginning of the season, we had the impression that things would improve, but after two months we came to realise that there would not be any difference. Infact this year is the worst ever," said Mr. Ceesay. "Most of the tourists who came this year were ‘Old Friends’, who have been coming here for years".
He also observed that most of the tourists spend a day or two here, and proceed to other countries, Senegal, Mali and others.
Ceesay snubbed the widely held notion among tourism authorities that the development of the sector is hampered by bumsters saying rather the tour guides who school tourist on how to spend, who to befriend, among others.
What stroke Mr. Ceesay most is that government invests huge amounts of money to improve the sector, but the situation worsens every succeeding season. For him, the government alone is not to be blamed, as far as the craft market is concern, but the Gambia Craft Market Federation as well.
Also speaking, Alhagie Samateh, a vendor at the Brikama Craft market said they are far away from the beach-side, which makes business very slow and called on the Gambia Tourism Authority to bring tourists there.
Source: Dailynews
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2010 : 23:47:55
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I visited the craft market in Brikama a few years ago and it was quite busy,this made me curious as to where the wooden carvings on sale were made,being me I discovered that a good many were made by local woodcarvers who had their "workshop" near the school under several large trees, I visited the nearby location,a short walk from the highway and indeed found many carvers at work there,some made the rough shape from the wood, whilst others smoothed out the rough carvings and yet another section of workers, mostly young boys,who were "apprentices" I assumed added the final dark colour and bought a sheen and gloss to the finished carving.
On a recent visit to Gambia this year I again visited the carvers workshop (OK workplace) and found it to be a timber yard where trees were being cut into planks by means of several large electric motor driven circular saws.I again made enquiries as to where the carvers were and was directed to a small open shed at the edge of the compound where there were only 3 carvers doing their work and 2 apprentices,one carver was quite old and smoking a pipe,the other two were working.I asked where all the carvers had gone since my last visit several years before and was told some had gone to Serrekunda and Banjul others had travelled and many had just left to try and get better paid work.So from a bustling craft site of a few years ago this had now become a single open shed with 2 men working their craft,I expect that in perhaps 2 years or less there will be no wood carvers in Brikama at all.Another tradition has died. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 11:11:44
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| This is very sad to hear. Do you think it was a mistake to move the market? |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 12:38:54
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I think that it is a sign of the times that wood carving is "less wanted " (cannot think of other words to use) in these modern times tastes have developed where wood carvings are thought of as coming from a time past, quite true but these carvings if they dissappear will be a big loss to Gambian culture and craftsmanship,the big ones take a long time to make,and if you are the craftsman making the carving that takes a long time to make how are you going to feed your family and yourself ?,problem.
I am sorry to say that in the main toubab prices apply in the craft market and as most toubabs coming to The Gambia on holiday come with limited funds, due to the world financial crisis,it is clear that visitor sales will be reduced,a total knock on effect to everyone.
I think that Gambian carvings will become collectors items in future years (not in the short term) if you can afford to buy a good one and take a photograph of the carver his name and family history as well and keep it safe with the carving then future generations will have a good investment.
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Originally posted by gambiabev
This is very sad to hear. Do you think it was a mistake to move the market?
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11718 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 13:10:26
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| This is a sad situation for these wood carvers. I think this trade should somehow be preserved through the Education system such as GTTI or another technical school. There is infact a need for a school of arts. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 13:14:25
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Normally speaking i love to roam about markets (anywhere in the world) looking for special items, either to keep for myself or to give away as a present. When i say 'special' i mean something different from the obvious..(like the crocodiles, giraffes, hippos, small djembees etc.). Over the years i managed to find some nice things in the Gambia, like wooden boxes in all sizes and even a big bulldog made of wood, that is keeping watch over the house from the front window.
I visited the Brikama market once, and (like in many other such places in the Gambia) almost panicked because of the persistence of the salesmen. Didn't know how fast to get out of there, hate the sleeve pulling, the touching, the running-after-you. I wish someone would tell the stallkeepers that it would be so much more customerfriendly to just let people be, that if you give people the opportunity to just wander around, and look at the products at their ease without all the hassling they are more likely to buy.
That's why i mostly always ended up in the shops (like Gaya, or African Heritage), where the products are priced and noone is bothering you..
Truth is, the stallkeepers in the markets really frighten me  . |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 13:23:52
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Craft School, I agree but with the tutors the craftsman woodcarvers not teachers who talk theory and history which I suspect a School of Arts would end up, GTTI well personally I feel that the students going there to learn a craft of woodcarving which also includes selecting your own special timber from the forest would feel somewhat interior to students studing IT for example.The facility if there were to be one should be in a place like Brikama where the craftsmen (although in small numbers) still exist,the town would benefit so would the craftsmen.
quote:
Originally posted by Momodou
This is a sad situation for these wood carvers. I think this trade should somehow be preserved through the Education system such as GTTI or another technical school. There is infact a need for a school of arts.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 13:30:46
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| this is sad, but I have to agree the market in brikama was really good a few years ago, there is a plan for me to go over the next few days and I will report back. |
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Momodou
Denmark
11718 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 13:52:10
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Usually such trade as that of the Kora and other music instruments are passed in the family from father/mother to son/daughter but an arts school is long overdue.
Toubab, I agree that Brikama would be more suitable for learning this trade than GTTI among IT nards. I would go off topic if I agued that they would not feel inferior if they combine their studies with CNC (computed numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools that have revolutionized the design process) at GTTI.  |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 14:30:02
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Momodou,there is an English saying "horses for courses" 
Definition:
http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/horses+for+courses.html
I am pleased that you recognise this and note your comments for CNC which I am sure would provide valuable grounding for students who can have the opportunity to travel and work abroad,unfortunetly this is not applicable to the vast majority of the Gambian people.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 14:35:42
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Anna nice to see you posting again, I agree totally with your post,and as this topic has gone a little off and now appears to encompass education,a short course for those involved in selling items in the tourist trade would be welcome,perhaps with the condition that if they pass the course they could have a display sign outside their premises saying something along the lines of "approved by The Gambian Tourist Authority" perhaps this is going a bit too far but I am sure you understand my meaning
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 08 May 2010 15:48:06 |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 18:28:00
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T1020, of course i understand your meaning ,. But in this case, i think 'education' is involved as well. I heard you say wood carving is perhaps 'less wanted' these days..Is that so? Perhaps people want a different type of wood carving. In my opinion, if you want to be into trade you'll have to spend time thinking about what it is your potential customers would like to buy. Of course i have the greatest respect for the wood carvers (and i am sure there will always be a small market for the traditional products they have been making over the years), but wouldn't it be nice if some of them would adapt more to nowadays trends? Especially in the Gambia, where a high percentage of the tourists are 'repeaters'. You yourself have visited the country numerous times. Are you still interested in the masks, the crocodiles etc.? I bet not (but i could be mistaking  ). If the wood carving skills are there why not make other (but still typically African) objects, like beautifully carved spoons and forks or napkin rings (like the ones i bought at Gaya's, they came from Mali but i am 100% sure a Gambian could also carve them).
Well, what i wanted to say is 'be a bit more commercial' and that goes for the way in which you try to sell your products and for the type of products you sell!
There's a fashion in everything, so there's also a fashion in wood carvings.... |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 21:25:48
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This is getting bad Anna  I agree totally again, "a bit more commercial" yes, pepper and salt things,peppergrinders (OK someone would have to import the works from ? wherever they are made) Salad bowls,salad spoons perhaps with carvings at the tpo (I suspect this is what you have Anna) BUT although Gambian woodcarvers CAN make these things I suspect that they may be reluctant as it is not traditional, and as you know MOST Gambians do not like change or progress. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 08 May 2010 21:26:33 |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2010 : 09:07:55
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Most but not all - very wise of you to say so, Toubab1020 !
Ah no, i don't have the wooden salad spoons but i have the ones made out of horn (?), of an ox or goat (?).
Bought them at the Saloon. Ever been there, in Fajara on the corner of the road where you find Timbooktoo's bookshop?
They sell the most beautiful carvings, cloths and jewellery - very African, but all made in Mali. I'm sure Gambians can make similar objects.
Well, it might all have to do with the choice between being traditional and making money....
I truly hope the wood carvers will stay in business, in Brikama or elsewhere. But perhaps there will have to be some small changes in policy.
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When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2010 : 12:18:10
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I know the location of the bookshop but not the gallery,I will visit next time,again, "Well, it might all have to do with the choice between being traditional and making money...." I really have my doubts, Gambians are content to leave things as they are and do not like change or modernisation,I think that this applies to the craft of woodcarving,but economics will take hold eventually and other ways of making money will be found and tradition dies.
Mali is a very ancient place and their craft base has developed faster than that of the Gambia which is a mix of different tribes formed in reasonably recent times.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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