Why Does The Gambia Exist?

You know about The Gambia? That little country in West Africa that looks like it's barely more than a river? That awkwardly cuts off Senegal? Why is it a separate country?

MUSIC:
“Tribes of Fortune” by Trailer Worx
“Caravan Trails” by Sight of Wonders
“King of Lions” by Sight of Wonders
“Zimbabwe Sunset” by Sahara Skylight
“Egypt Calling” by Sight of Wonders
(All via EpidemicSound)

📖 SOURCES:

Adri Cortesia, John Scarberry, Nif Lindsay, Rebanics, Robert Siska, Tasha, Anonymous Freak, ImNotDonaldTrump, Larry Burch, Tobi Burch-Rates

[KhAnubis]

This is my last video for 2021. Been a year of some major ups and downs for me personally, but hopefully we can hope for things to start looking back up in 2022! As i'm on a sort of light winter break, I'll actually see you in three weeks (instead of two weeks like normal)
(Oh also r/KhAnubis is a thing. Maybe I should shout it out more)

[joaquinclavijo]

I've heard that the weird geometry of The Gambia's borders is because they were defined as the area that was within cannon range of the british ships that sailed the river, making it very easy to defend as a colony.

[masannehfatty]

I am Gambian and I love this video.

Although I am not a historian, I would like to quench some of your doubts about why "the" is written before "Gambia", why the country is called "the smiling coast of Africa", and why isn't it part of Senegal since it is a very small country.

(1) Why the "the" before Gambia: There is a big river that runs from Guinea (a country in West Africa) through the Gambia to the Atlantic Ocean called The River Gambra. When the British came for a purpose known, they named the country after the river; thus, the name The Gambia. This is precisely the reason, but there's more history on this.

(2) Why is it called the smiling coast of Africa: If you have ever been to the Gambia, this question would be answered by your experience in the country. Gambians are welcoming and always smiling. You would see a poor Gambian with a "wealthy" smile.

(3) Why isn't it with Senegal: As a Gambian, I love to call myself a Senegambian (Senegalese-Gambian) because I firmly believe we are one: our people, languages, cultures, weather and climate are the same. However, owing to the colonial idealogies that strongly indoctrinated the people made it hard for Senegal and the Gambia to become a country (NB: The relationship between the Gambia and Senegal is jovial.)

In view of the video, I would like to further inform you that the Gambia isn't "just a river" (I presume you were metaphorical in that). Also, it is not Cambia but Gambra. But all in all, this video presents the Gambia beautifully. I love it and wish to see more of such.

Thank you!

[hughsonj]

I asked a Senegalese person once why The Gambia exists, and he told me "I don't worry about such things."

[blastea]

i actually had a friend i met that lived in the gambia, his whole family were very positive and lovely people. i’m pretty sure they only have 1 college in the gambia and he told me he had plans of going there. it’s crazy how some of the people that have the least make the absolute most out of life, his entire village were full of great people from what i saw of them. sadly he got an infection in his leg after a biking accident and it’s been two years since i’ve heard from him now. i can only hope his family is doing well!

[charlescrone]

The British weren’t the first to colonize the area, the Duchy of Courland set up a colony at the mouth of The Gambia in the 1630’s and it was pretty successful but in the 1660’s Sweden invaded and occupied the duke of Courland Jacob Kettler forcing the Couronians to sell the colony to England

[thomascraig]

Worked with a man from The Gambia. He worked very hard, was a very talented tailor on the side, and was one of the nicest individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.

[gavindoyle]

In 2000, I went backpacking solo through West Africa, and spent over two months travelling throughout Senegal, The Gambia, and the Casamance region. I later moved on to Mali and then Côte d’Ivoire. I speak fluent French, but learning some basic Wolof also helped.

I remember I took a boat to get from Dakar to Banjul. It was weird to see the differences between the countries. Ethnically they are the same people, but colonialism has left its mark. The music is Senegal was heavily Latin influenced, while at the time in The Gambia, reggae was king.

An interesting corner of the world to see, one often ignored by English-speakers. 🇸🇳 🇬🇲 🇲🇱 🇨🇮

[muhammedsaidykhan]

Am a Gambian the country may be small but its nice with peace and love, Gambia nice all we know is peace and love in my motherland ❤🇬🇲🇬🇲🙏♥️😌

[jeffsanders]

So the real question isn’t “Why doesn’t Senegal own The Gambia” it’s “Why doesn’t The Gambia own Senegal’s southern territories”

[SetuwoKecik]

When you're realized that Egypt with Nile actuality have similar situation with The Gambia if you're looking at their population density map.

[The_Shyone]

Here's another Gambian girl🇬🇲 and am proud of my country... The GAMBIA the smiling coast of Africa 😍 y'all should visit

[randompersonyago]

Note: I have mistaken the Congo as The Congo. ☺️

“What I find weird is how The Gambia and The Congo has "The" on their names, even though they aren't islands or something. I don't know the reason of this, but I do respect the name of these nations.”

Edit: I sincerely apologize for my mistake which is: It's not *The* Congo; It's The Republic of *the* Congo. The replies stated that the only nations with the capital T on their names are The Bahamas and The Gambia. (I even write a capital T on the Philippines, which I have realized, shouldn't be writen in that way).Even though this is an apology, I thank all of the replies for gracefully correcting me. No negativity, just straight up correction. Thanks! 😄 (I won't edit my mistake though, so that people can see where I went wrong).

[glennfontaine]

Went to a prep school in New Jersey 1968-69. There was a student there from Gambia (back when it’s capital was called Bathurst). His name was Baboucar Ousman Saho. He was one of the smartest and most idealistic people I’ve ever met. He went on to George Washington University and eventually became an African Studies Professor in some small college in Westchester County, NY. His original intention was to become a diplomat, which I think he eventually did. Unfortunately, I understand he died a few years ago in Banjul.

[spacegainde]

I am Senegalese and much love to my Gambian brothers <3

[anne.andromeda]

"Like all other badly drawn maps, it all starts with the British"

[medaltair]

Africa wouldn’t be the same without it’s smiling coast 🇬🇲 ❤️

[jamilfafaceesay]

Gambia is the smiling coast of Africa the people always smile😊🇬🇲🇬🇲🇬🇲

[Breakfast_of_Champions]

Britain: Let's steal a river in Africa!

[teambellavsteamalice]

Instead of asking how The Gambia could exist, I wonder why the south of Senegal didn't ever separate (or join The Gambia). Strange how they could hold the north and south together, right?