Beakanyang Hosts Cultural Festival to Promote Healing and Reconciliation in Brikama

Beakanyang High Table © Beakanyang Facebook

By Fatoumata Jaiteh

Beakanyang Kafo, a leading civil society organization in The Gambia, held a powerful two-day cultural and reconciliation festival titled the "Badingbung Reconciliation and Unity Festival" from 31st May to 1st June 2025, at Kabafita Upper Basic and Senior Secondary School in Brikama. The event united survivors, cultural groups, and community leaders from across the West Coast Region in a shared commitment to healing and unity after years of division under the regime of former President Yahya Jammeh.

Funded by the African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), with support from the African Union and the European Union, the festival is part of Beakanyang’s Badingbung Initiative—a grassroots project aimed at reconciling communities affected by the 2009 witch-hunt campaigns and other human rights abuses during Jammeh’s rule.

The festival brought together participants from ten affected communities, including Makumbaya, Jambur, Farato, Bafuloto, Sintet, Essau, Lamin, Busumbala, Gunjur, and Bwiam. Alongside local cultural and kanyeleng groups, attendees included representatives from ATJLF, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, and members and mentors of Beakanyang.

In his opening remarks, Nfamara Jawneh, Executive Director of Beakanyang, highlighted the importance of community-led efforts in fostering peace, justice, and reconciliation.

“This initiative complements the government’s efforts in promoting peace and stability in The Gambia,” he said. “Together, we can build a future grounded in justice and harmony.”

However, Jawneh also issued a heartfelt call for action on behalf of victims:

“Most of the victims are dying while waiting for justice,” he lamented, urging authorities to expedite reparations and accountability.

The Badingbung Initiative—named after the Mandinka word for "family house" or "meeting place"—has become a powerful symbol of resilience. Through storytelling, community dialogue, traditional healing, and conflict resolution workshops, Beakanyang is leveraging culture as a force for reconciliation and social cohesion.

Juliet, a representative from ATJLF, praised the initiative:

“This is a laudable and inspiring example of how communities can lead their own reconciliation processes. That’s why ATJLF supported it—it’s a locally driven, community-led effort. The Badingbung model has the potential to be replicated across the continent.”

Imam Bojang, a respected religious leader, spoke to the spiritual dimensions of peacebuilding:

“Anyone who works to reconcile communities is walking a path to heaven,” he said. “Badingbung has even reduced the number of police cases in our community.”

Abdoulie Bojang of Jambur, one of the affected communities, shared his personal pain from the witch-hunt era:

“The witch-hunt was imposed on people against their will,” he said, visibly emotional. “It left deep wounds that we are still trying to heal.”

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the deputy permanent secretary commended the festival’s dual role in healing and cultural preservation:

“Through initiatives like this, we not only promote unity and reconciliation, but also safeguard our rich cultural heritage. Events like this remind us that we are stronger together.”

Throughout the festival, one message resonated clearly: reconciliation must be community-driven, but justice must not be delayed. For Beakanyang and its allies, the journey continues—one story, one community, and one healing step at a time.