By: Alieu Ceesay
The Foni Agency for Rural Development (FARD) successfully hosted the fifth edition of its highly anticipated Cultural Festival in Somita, Foni Berefet constituency, drawing crowds of locals, visitors, and dignitaries to celebrate the region’s rich heritage while emphasizing unity, social cohesion, and grassroots progress.
Held from January 23 to 25, 2026, under the inspiring theme “Celebrating What Connects Us,” the free, family-oriented event transformed the usually quiet rural setting into a vibrant hub of music, dance, traditional performances, and community dialogue. Organizers highlighted Foni’s longstanding role in preserving and promoting Gambian culture both nationally and internationally.
The festival kicked off on Friday with a career day featuring live performances, dance displays, diverse local cuisines, and engaging family-friendly activities. Attendees savored authentic dishes like Jola’s Binkabo alongside other regional specialties, while immersing themselves in cultural showcases including the iconic ‘Kankurang’, ‘Kumpo’, and ‘Manpara’ masquerades, traditional marriage ceremonies, and other heritage displays.
In her welcoming remarks, Mrs. Mariama Jammeh Colley, Vice Chair of FARD, described the gathering as far more than entertainment. “Today we gathered here not only for a festival but for a reminder of who we are, where we come from, and what continues to bind us together,” she stated. She stressed the event’s deeper purpose: uniting Foni natives across villages, districts, ages, and generations. “We hold this festival to create space for dialogue, for listening, for healing, and for understanding one another,” she added. “And yes, we hold it to raise funds because development requires funds.”
The festival also served practical community needs, offering free medical services to residents and focusing on key development areas, including women’s empowerment, youth skills training, agriculture, health, and education.
Fatoumatta Baldeh addressed the crowd on the vital role of social cohesion, declaring, “Cohesion is the fertilizer where peace can grow.” Her message resonated amid calls for harmony and collective progress.
Prominent speakers reinforced the unity theme. Musa Amul Nyass, former National Assembly member and current Deputy Governor of the West Coast Region; Junkun Camara, Chief of Foni Berefet; and National Assembly Member Amie Colley of the district all pledged continued support.
“As your representative at the National Assembly, my office would continue to support initiatives that promote peace, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment for our people,” Hon. Amie Colley assured attendees.
The event built on the success of previous editions, including last year’s festival in Sibanor, demonstrating FARD’s commitment to rotating the celebration across Foni districts to ensure broader accessibility and participation.
FARD, a registered charity dedicated to advancing education, health, agriculture, and environmental efforts in the region, uses the festival as a platform to foster pride in cultural identity while driving tangible rural development.
As the crowds dispersed after days of celebration, the message was clear: in Foni, culture is not merely entertainment—it is memory, medicine, identity, and a powerful force for unity and progress. With strong community backing and institutional support, the festival stands as a beacon of hope for sustained development in the area.
