Busumbala

Busumbala
Busumbala is located in The Gambia
Busumbala
Busumbala
Location in the Gambia
Coordinates: 13°20′N 16°40′W / 13.333°N 16.667°W / 13.333; -16.667
Country The Gambia
DivisionWestern Division
DistrictKombo North/Saint Mary
Population
 (2009)
 • Total11,189 (est.)

Busumbala , also known as Old-Busumbala, is a small town in western Gambia. It is located in Kombo North/Saint Mary District in the Western Division. As of 2009, it has an estimated population of 11,189.[1]

History

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During the Soninke-Marabout Wars, Busumbala was a Soninke[2] town and the capital of the King of Kombo, Suling Jatta. On June 24th 1855, it was attacked by a Marabout force under the Mandinka commander Fode Kaba Doumbouya. The attack was repelled, but the king was killed.[3]

Lifestyle

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In Busumbala, the women generally handle agriculture and products consumed locally, while the men work in agriculture and grow crops for commercial reasons to make money. The women get little to no education.[4] Construction of a nursery school started in 2014 and is nearing completion. Pupil registration took place in September 2023 and the first classroom opened in October 2023. The construction of the school is being funded by charity donations to the charity organization of Building Futures in the Gambia.[5]

References

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  1. ^ World Gazetteer [dead link], Retrieved on January 3, 2009
  2. ^ Meaning Animist in local usage, not to be confused with the Soninke people.
  3. ^ Hughes, Arnold; Perfect, David (2008). Historical Dictionary of the Gambia. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 113.
  4. ^ Pageant's Busumbala Women's Group
  5. ^ Building Futures in The Gambia, Retrieved on October 4, 2016