Focus-Gambia: Photographic Workshops in The Gambia, West Africa

Bakau Fishing Village

"Sitting on the balcony of La Mer, lets you observe the wonderful bustle of fishing activity from a distance. The scene unfolds before you like a Pieter Bruegel painting"

The Village was founded by the Bojang family over 520 years ago and is one of the oldest village settlements in the Gambia. Within walking distance of the Ngala Lodge, you will find the craft market strung out along the coastal Atlantic Road. The village market, which is a little rough on the edges, is tightly packed with stalls selling a wide range of local foodstuffs, pots and pans - even second-hand clothing.

Before walking down to the fishing area we stop at La Mer - a local inn but superbly positioned above the fishing village, where sitting on the balcony, allows you to observe the wonderful bustle of the fishing activity, from above - the scene unfolds before you like a Pieter Bruegel painting!

A visit to any fishing village will inspire and challenge you in many different ways. The work is hard and the families involved with pulling in the days' catch can get cross when tourist try and take their photograph; understandably this can cause friction. But by talking about these difficulties to Momodou Siene, the village elder, focus-gambia buys 40 fishing baskets for the women - supporting both the local community and creating work for the weavers - and in return focus-gambia has access to a colourful and vibrant way of life - perfect for artists and photographers alike!

The best time of the day is around 5pm when the long fishing pirogues come in. The plentiful Bonga fish is made into local fish balls. Whilst Butter fish, arguably the ugliest fish we ever seen, tastes rather like monk fish.

The women wait on the shore for the fish to be brought in from the boats through the waves to the beach where nets are being repaired for the next trip out to sea and seagulls wheel at head height.

Long slabs stretch out with hundreds of fish drying in the sun. As the sun sets, the 'golden hour' gives some of the best photographic light you can imagine.

Many of our guests take little luxuries, like soap, shampoo, moisturisers and make-up for the women which is always gratefully received. The children cry "minty minty" in the hope you may have some sweets for them!