📖 About Brikama

Brikama, known locally as "Satey Ba" (big town), is The Gambia's third-largest city and the administrative headquarters of the Brikama Local Government Area, which houses approximately 48% of the nation's population.

Located 35 kilometers southwest of the capital Banjul, Brikama serves as a vital economic and cultural center. The town is particularly famous as the heart of Gambian music, with many renowned musicians calling it home.

The town is home to diverse ethnic groups including Mandinka, Wolof, and Manjago peoples, creating a vibrant multicultural atmosphere.

🎯 Top Attractions

💼 Economy & Culture

Brikama thrives as an agricultural hub, with groundnuts (peanuts) being the primary cash crop. Palm oil production and forestry industries, particularly teak cultivation, contribute significantly to the local economy.

The town is renowned for traditional craftsmanship, especially wood carving and batik textile production. These handicrafts draw visitors from across The Gambia and beyond.

Brikama holds a special place as the center of the Gambian music industry. Many famous Gambian musicians originate from Brikama, and traditional Mandinka music and drumming remain integral to cultural life.

📜 History

Brikama was founded centuries ago by Mandinka migrants as a settlement that grew into a significant trading center along West African trade routes.

Originally established by the Kontes family, it later became a royal center under the Bojang clan. During the 19th-century Soninke-Marabout wars, Brikama fell to marabout forces in 1874.

During the colonial period, Brikama was a site of resistance and cultural preservation for the Mandinka people. Today it remains a vital center of Mandinka culture and traditions.