REPORT OF A FIELD TRIP BY A GROUP OF GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY FROM WEDNESDAY 22ND TO SUNDAY 26TH FEBRURAY, 2012 In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Geography of Senegambia course in the Geography unit of the school of Arts and Sciences, a group of twenty-seven geography students under the guidance of a lecturer in the person of Mr. Sambou Darboe embarked on a five day tour of the Senegambia region. This educational expedition is necessitated by the fact that, the course as the title suggests has a lot to do with Senegambia as a regional entity and as such should not be limited to the four corners of the lecture-room but should also expose course participants to the regional character of Senegambia as manifested by both the physical environment and socio-economic life of the people. The trip provided opportunities for the students to closely observe both the formal regional physiognomies and the functional regional features of Senegambia. The formal region is marked by a certain homogeneity which may lie in a region’s physical characteristics (like physiography, climate, vegetation, soils, etc.) or its human properties (like religion, language, etc.). A functional region on the other hand is not marked by internal sameness, but by its functional integration; that is, a state of being so strongly linked and interdependent that each acts to carry out its purpose as to become one unit as typified by a city region. DAY ONE The first leg of the journey started on Wednesday 22nd February 2012 and the first place of visit was the Banjul ferry terminal. At the ferry terminal, the identity of the passengers and the vehicles that used the ferry services was observed. One thing that was detected is that even though the ferries are in the Gambia, they are equally used by both countries as lot of people and goods were seen to be either going to or coming from Senegal. One commodity that caught the attention of the students at the ferries was the basalt loaded in trucks mainly from Senegal. The basalt is imported from Senegal and is widely used in the construction industry for both house and road constructions which are important for our infrastructural development as a nation. Hence, importing basalt is a valuable commercial activity and it is said to be a profitable business. From Barra, the team drove to Fass Njaga Choi in the Lower Nuimi District of the North Bank Region of the Gambia for lunch and a brief site seeing. The place visited at Fass was the flea market locally known as “Lumo”. This is a weekly open market that attracts traders and customers from far and near. It was observed at this market that the traders and customers that patronize the market as well as the goods and services came from both countries in almost equal measure. Some of the major items of trade like cereals, vegetables; cooking utensils and other consumables came from both the Gambia and Senegal. The horse and donkey cart drivers were also found to be from both countries in almost equal numbers. The currencies of both countries are accepted as legal tender. This kind of socio-economic interaction goes to indicate that Fass could be regarded as part of a functional region of this part of Senegambia; probably the core of a small functional region. From Fass the team drove to Kaolack in the Republic of Senegal for a night-stop. The type of vegetation observed in this part of Senegambia is mainly Sahel savanna around the cultivated fields which is characterized by sparse vegetation with few trees; the reserved zoo area is characterized by both Guinea and Sudan savannah as well as woodlands. Some cashew farms were also seen in some places. The physiography of this part of Senegambia is generally flat and is dominated by low rolling plains which are said to be ideal for peanut and cereal cultivation. The team finally reached Kaolack for the night stop and spent the night at the “Maison Des Ceuvres, Diocese De Kaolack”. DAY TWO The second day of the visit began with a visit to the tannery in one of the suburbs of Kaolack but the tannery was not functioning; consequently, the abattoir adjoining the tannery was visited. The abattoir is privately owned by a company known by its acronyms-SOGAS but a government employed veterinary officer is posted there to ensure that the required sanitary procedures are adhered to. It was the vet officer, one Saikou Sambou, who took the team on a conducted tour of the abattoir. According to him, eight such abattoirs are built throughout Senegal and all animals slaughtered for commercial purpose are slaughtered and skinned only at these abattoirs. Defaulters risk a one year jail term. The hides and skins of the slaughtered animals are collected and sent to the tanning industry in Dakar for final processing. From SOGAS, the team made an unsuccessful attempt to visit the SONACOS (which is renamed SUNEOR) peanut decorticating and processing plant. The team was not allowed in because authorization to visit the premises had to come from the company’s main office in Dakar. From SONACOS, we proceeded to the domestic air field at Khoune but nobody was available to talk to us. Instead, we just made a brief stroll of the area as no apparent activity was going on at the time. The next point of call was the popular salt mining and processing industry at Kaolack; Like SONACOS, the team needed permission from the main office in Dakar to visit the industry. However, we observed the heaps of salt crystals as well as the channels and dykes used to trap the saline water for eventual evaporation and collection albeit with no formal explanation. From Kaolack, the team headed for the Gambia enroute to Farafenni. We observed with keen interest the topography of the area which is generally flat like the Barra-Kaolack stretch, except around the Nioro area where some sandstone hills were seen. The sahel-sudan vegetation type dominates this part of the Senegambia region. The team had the opportunity to visit another “Lumo” at Ndibba Nuien in Senegal which like Fass receives traders and customers from both Senegal and the Gambia. A casual interaction with some of the traders as well the buyers revealed that Gambians mainly come to this ‘Lumo’ to buy livestock where they are considered cheaper especially rams for the Tobaski feast. However, unlike the flea market at Fass, the only currency accepted as legal tender here is the CFA Franc. The team had a brief stop at Farafenni before proceeding to Kaur in the Central River Region of the Gambia. At Kaur the main places of interest were the wharf and the sandstone hill overlooking the river Gambia. At the wharf the participants visited the old GPMB groundnut decorticating plant and the terminal where we saw the passengers waiting for the ferry plying between Kaur- Kulenia and Jarreng. We then ascended the hill from the top of which we had a panoramic view of the portion of the river Gambia around its longest meander loop. We also observed the sandstone hills which girdles around Kaur as well. The team had another brief stop at Panchang with a view to see the homogeneity in the settlement structures of the villages on either side of the border between the two countries. Panchang is a cluster of villages which are culturally the same but divided by the international boundary between The Gambia and Senegal. At Panchang France, which is about only 300 meters from Farafenni /Laminkoto highway, participants were informed by some village elders that the people of the two countries are one and the same as typified by the socio-economic life of their community. For example, the weekly ‘lumo’ of Panchang is jointly hosted by Panchang wharf town in The Gambia and Panchang France in Senegal. Similarly, the school and the central mosque (for the Friday prayers) at Panchang Sanchi Tabba in The Gambia are attended by the communities on both sides of the border. From Panchang, the team finally headed for Wassu for a night-stop. DAY THREE On day three of the tour, the first place of visit was the Mungo Park memorial obelisk at Karantaba in the Sami district of the Central River Region of the Gambia. The obelisk, built in 1930 by the British government, marks the spot around which Mungo Park, a British explorer, was last seen. He was believed to have either drowned around the Bussa Rapids or killed by his own crew. From the obelisk the team caught up with some pastoral farmers on transhumance from Walo in the Matam region of Senegal at Karantaba Tenda watering their animals at the river. They normally move during the dry season with their livestock in search of better pasture and watering points for the animals. According to them, they have been in the Gambia for about four months and would return to their place by the start of the rainy season. From Karantaba, the team had a brief stop at Sandu Kuraw for lunch and ‘juma’ prayers; before proceeding to Goloumbou Bridge via Basse, Fatoto and Nyamanar. The topography of this region of Senegambia is dominated by narrow valleys separated by broad interfluves or flattish hills; and the settlements are mostly found on the boundary between the uplands and the riverine flats. The dominant vegetation type observed here is Sudan savannah which is characterised by shrubs and scattered trees. We reached Goloumbou when it was almost dark; notwithstanding, we visited the bridge over the River Gambia which links Cassamance with Senegal Oriental. Adjacent the bridge is a large banana plantation irrigated by waters of the river Gambia. The plantation could not be visited as it was late and thus its dimension could not be confirmed. One thing that stands out clearly is the fact that such a large plantation irrigated by the river Gambia is not found anywhere in The Gambia. Thus, this massive banana plantation provoked discussion among participants about the economic utilization of the river Gambia for transportation and agricultural purposes. It was argued that the river could be used by large sea vessels for the transportation of bulky goods from Banjul to the interior which could be cheaper compared to road transportation and would eventually translate into a drop in the prices of such commodities. Another important point participants noted with concern is the fact that, the fresh water of the river Gambia is not adequately exploited for cultivation especially during the dry season because The Gambia is blessed with good quality arable land; 81,000 hectares of which is irrigable (that is about 810 square kilometres). However, out of this only about 2,300 hectares are currently under irrigation (2009 Access Gambia). It goes without saying that with a proper utilization of the River Gambia for rice cultivation and vegetable gardening, the Gambia would surely be self-sufficient in food supply. The team finally drove to Basse via Koina for a night stop. DAY FOUR The fourth day of the trip commenced with a visit to Vellingara in the Kolda Region of south eastern Senegal. Vellingara being both a nodal town and a commercial center was considered important in assessing the socio-economic life of that part of Senegambia. Like other business centers, Vellingara plays host to a good deal of economic activities for both peoples of the two countries; besides, it is part of the cotton belt of Senegambia which extends to the Basse area of The Gambia. Unlike other agrarian communities of Senegambia, the farmers of this area mainly cultivate cotton. In a bid to maximize cotton production, the Senegalese authorities have built a cotton ginnery at Vellingara for processing cotton and cotton products. It is due to the same reason that The Gambia Government built a cotton ginnery at Basse but it is no longer functional. Vellingara could therefore be considered as the nucleus of the functional region of that area with Fullah being the dominant language. The landscape of this part of Senegambia is mainly sandstone plateau which is part of the fringes of the ancient massifs (mountain masses) contiguous with those buttressing the massif of Fouta Djallon on the Guinea frontier. The vegetation is largely Sudan savanna with cattle rearing being widely practiced. From Vellingara, the team drove to Bansang via Basse for lunch. On the way to Bansang the team observed the isolated sand stone hills like that of Hella Kunda which dominates the topography of this area. From Bansang, the team proceeded to Brikama-Ba for a night-stop. On the way to Brikama-Ba, we had a brief stop at the recently constructed Sankulay Kunda Bridge which links Janjangbureh Island to the south bank thereby easing movement in and out of the island. DAY FIVE The fifth day and final leg of the tour began with a visit to The River Gambia National Park also known Baboon Island at Sambel Kunda in the Niamina East District of Central River Region. Along the way, the topography was not ignored by participants. This area predominantly consist of flat top sandstone hills the most prominent of which is the Jahally hill range which extends for about 5km. Isolated conical hills which have formed over time as a result of erosion are also common around the area. The hilly topography of the area especially towards the south away from the River Gambia made the place a frontier zone with minimal economic activities. At Sambel Kunda the team visited the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre at The River Gambia National Park also known as Baboon Island; which is a complex of six Islands with a total area 585 ha. All islands are quite flat and possess mainly gallery forest with some open swampy or savannah areas. At the Rehabilitation Centre Mr. Mathew, an American working at the centre, gave the team a brief lecture on the islands and the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project (CRP). According to him, the first or western most of the islands starts at the “Samaboi konko” literarily the hill where the elephant fell. The hill is given that name because its foot marks the spot where the last elephant believed to have lived in the Gambia was found dead in early 1900s, precisely 1918. The Baboon Island was proclaimed a forest park in 1972 but was gazetted in 1978 and named the River Gambia National Park. It forms one of the last refuges for the very threatened hippopotamus within The Gambia and in 1979 a Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project (CRP) was initiated on the Islands by Eddy Bruwa and his son when the first set of chimpanzees brought from the United Kingdom, were released onto the island. The project has since then been going on successfully and there are currently ninety-five Chimpanzees living on three of the larger islands. The chimpanzees occupying the island are not caged and as such roam the islands as in the wild. Their feeding is however supplemented by personnel of the Rehabilitation centre and their attendants are known as chimpanzas. . Some of the food items given to them include melon, baobab, pumpkin, corn and bread. According to one Rene Bonang who introduced himself as the senior chimpanza, the chimps are given all the necessary attention including medication which is given by lacing their feed with drugs. He also explained that they administer birth control pills to the female chimps through the same method. When quizzed why they give birth control pills he said that due to lack of space for accommodating the increasing number of chimps, they have now introduced birth control measures to reduce their growth rate. According to him the chimps have the same gestation period of 9 months as humans with an average birth spacing of four years. He also revealed that the oldest chimpanzee on the island is 42 years and there are occasional clashes between the various animals on the island which are sometimes fatal. In addition to reintroducing the chimpanzee to the country which was almost extinct, the existence of the project in the River Gambia National Park has assisted in protecting the forest and its resources from over exploitation. The Department of Parks and Wildlife Management and the CRP work together for the protection of the park and its environs. In addition to reintroducing an indigenous species to the country, the existence of the project in the River Gambia National Park has assisted in protecting the forest and its resources from over exploitation. The Department of Parks and Wildlife Management and the CRP work closely together for the protection of the park and its environs. From Sambel Kunda, the tour party drove to Jarra Soma via the Niaminas and the Jarras and similar landscape as that of the Jahally hill area was observed along both sides of the highway. There are series of hill ranges starting from the south east around Pata in Kolda region of Senegal, terminating along the river Gambia. The hill ranges alternate with stream valleys which are mostly used for rice cultivation and vegetable gardening. Another important point of call was the Bintang creek which serves as a natural boundary between the Lower River and Western Coast Regions. The event that captivated participants most was the mangrove seedlings planted along the banks of the stream. The project is designed to reclaim the lost mangroves that had naturally grown there and are now lost as a result of the increased salinity of the waters of the creek. The final lap of the trip, took participants to the Sintet, Kampasa Wassudang areas and the Allakunda-Kanilai/Senegal border areas. The vegetation of this part of the Gambia extending into Cassamance region of Senegal is mainly Guinea savanna, characterized by thick bushes with rather tall, big trees, like teak and silk cotton. In conclusion therefore, it can be safely said that the main objectives of this all important educational adventure were achieved and will enable members to better appreciate the regional identity of Senegambia as a region in all its manifestations. The trip has indeed exposed participants to the kind of socio-economic, cultural as well as political life of the people of Senegambia. The physical environment i.e. the landscape and the vegetation types were adequately examined. In light of the above, participants are expected to appreciate the artificiality of the political boundaries created by the colonial masters to divide the people of the Gambia and Senegal who are one and the same. Besides, it’s everybody’s business to play an active role in safe guarding our fauna and flora. The trip ended with a sober reflection by participants on the challenges faced prior and during the trip as well as mapping-out better arrangements for subsequent trips. On what could be termed as a unanimous and collective view, participants identified the following as some of the challenges that could be improved upon. 1. The lack of specific funds to sponsor trips or where it exist a delay in its disbursement seriously affects the timely conduct of such educational trips. 2. Inadequate prior arrangements in terms of logistics and proper well coordinated correspondence with institutions or places of interest especially those in Senegal as par the trip/visit. 3. Owing to the nature of some of the road networks, the trip should be schedule for dry season. 4. Difficulties in securing the service of reliable means of transportation and the willingness on the side of the driver. In respond to the challenges highlighted, the following were some of the recommendations offered for the successful conduct of subsequent educational trips. 1. Proper orientation of the students on the importance of such trips and effective collective participation will contribute to the successful conduct of such trips. 2. The university authorities to adequately cater for such educational visits as they are essential for the successful conduct of such courses. 3. Both the ministries of Higher Education and Basic and Secondary Education to partner with UTG in facilitating the efficient conduct of such trips. 4. The UTG should partner with development Agencies and non-governmental organizations in potential areas of interest for the purpose of research as well as other educational explorations. 5. The School of Education UTG to take particular interest in such trips as they expose and better prepare would be teachers in the field of geography. 6. The formation of an Association of Geography teachers/ geographers will greatly facilitate the regular successful conduct of such trips. On the final note, the education committee under the auspices of the task force wish to thank all those who contributed towards the success of the trip on behalf of the entire team and ask for the Almighty’s continuous guidance and bounties for them. The efforts and the contributions of the following are worth acknowledging: 1. The Vice Chancellor and Admin Cadre for both the financial and moral support. 2. The Deans and staff of the various Schools of the UTG for the co-operation and support. 3. The Geography lecturers in the School of Arts and Sciences for the inspirations and wise counsel. 4. The Task Force that spearhead the arrangements and logistics both before and during the course of the trip. 5. Our hosts at various places of visit i.e. Night-stops, lunch breaks, site visits and so on. 6. The catering committee and all those who supported them in one way or another.