Even though it is the smallest country in Africa, The Gambia has a unique multi-cultural society with many ethnic groups.
The census says that the population of The Gambia is broken up into many tribes and also contains people from other contries like Lebanon, France, and Great Britain. This creates a country that is multiethnic with cultural diversity.
One of the tribes in The Gambia is the Jola. They are also known as the Jolla or Diola, and make up 10% of the population. The name Jola means "someone who pays back for something given or done to them". The Jolas are a very hardworking people. They are best known for their agricultural skills in honey collecting, rice cultivation, fishing and other agricultural careers. In Jola tradition, the eldest man who founded the village is the leader, and wealth is measured by the amount of rice someone owns.
The Mandinka is the largest ethnic group in The Gambia. They are also known as the Mandingo, Mandilike or Mande. This tribe makes up 42% of the population. Traditionally, the Mandinka tribe followed a caste system. First were the Nobles, or royal household. the second level was held by farm owners and clerics. The third level of the caste were artisans like blacksmiths and leather workers. The lowest level of the caste were the slaves that worked in the fields and the homes. Marriage to a higher level caste was banned.
There are many other tribes in The Gambia. There are as many as 25 other clans. Because more people are marrying people from other tribes there is a feeling of kinship between clans.
