In the West African country of Gambia, the majority of the population is Muslim. By the way, there are also Christians in the country and both live harmoniously side by side. Being a Muslim in Gambia is special, because a number of rules that in other Muslim countries do not seem to apply here. But in Gambia, other rules of Islam are followed very carefully. For example, drinking alcohol is out of the question for the majority. And pork is certainly not eaten by Gambian Muslims.
Headscarf and bare breasts
In many Muslim countries, women wear headscarves. This is intended to protect a woman’s beauty and ensure that she does not arouse the lust of men. In Gambia you see few women wearing headscarves, other than wearing colored scarves around their heads. But these are more cultural than they are based on faith. In Gambia, the bodies of women and men are treated very differently. For example, nudity is not an issue at all. Women simply breastfeed their children on the street, where everyone can see. Non-revealing clothing is permitted for both men and women. An exception to the rule is the regulations prevailing in Muslim schools. The girls there must wear a headscarf and the rest of their clothing is also mandatory. Moreover, boys who go to Muslim schools also have to participate in a certain way. Sexual morality in Gambia is also somewhat different than in other countries. For some it is still important that girls enter marriage as virgins, but it seems less important in this country than in other Islamic countries. Unfortunately, female circumcision does occur, especially among the Mandinkas.
Alcohol and pork
In many Muslim countries it is now fairly normal for people to drink alcoholic drinks, while many say that the Koran prescribes that this is not allowed. Of course, there will be a few people in Gambia who have a drink, but in general Muslim Gambians strictly adhere to not drinking alcohol. Pork is also not consumed, because it is unclean according to the Koran.
Mecca
One of the five pillars on which the Muslim faith is based is that Muslims must visit the Holy Place of Mecca at least once in their lives. Although most Gambians would like that, for many it is not possible at all. It costs money to leave Gambia, but you also need papers. Most residents of Gambia do not have either and few will be able to visit the Holy site.
Give help
A good Muslim also ensures that his loved ones receive money, goods or food when they need it. This is certainly customary during the sacrificial festival. But here too, most Gambians simply do not have the money to help their neighbor. It is equally poor everywhere. However, food is often shared if it is available. For example, refugees from Sierra Leone who had fled a terrible war were often taken into families or given food.
To pray
Muslims are expected to pray five times a day, facing east. In Gambia they adhere to this fairly strictly if possible. If possible, a tour guide will withdraw from a trip at times when prayers are called. You will find mosques throughout the country where the muezzin calls for prayers. Those who cannot pray during the day can also make up for it in the evening. By the way, people pray everywhere and there are official and unofficial places of prayer everywhere, in or near a house of worship, but also just outside in nature.
Ramadan
No matter how hot it is in Gambia, no matter how thirsty the Muslims are, most of them participate in Ramadan with great enthusiasm. During this fast, no eating or drinking is allowed between sunrise and sunset, couples are not allowed to have sex and swearing and lying are not allowed.
Muslim, but also superstitious and with faith in the Marabout
Many people in Gambia are Muslim, but they also believe in good and evil spirits. To ward them off, all kinds of actions are performed to drive away these evil spirits. For example, many people wear a cord with a kind of bag attached to it containing a message from the Marabout. This Marabout is a kind of healer and clairvoyant for Gambians who visit them when they encounter illness or other unpleasant things. Rings are also sold that contain a message from a Marabout to avert disaster. Gambians also do not think that this superstition undermines their faith in Allah. It just goes together.
The day before Ramadan: Sunday beach but extra
Every Sunday many Gambians can be found on all beaches in Gambia. They play football, bring the barbecue, laugh and chat with each other. On the Sunday before Ramadan this is extra; then everyone wants to be on the beach to let their hair down. See in this video what it looks like and how heavily populated the beaches are: Sunday Beach before Ramadan Gambia