For centuries, the river was a
busy transportation route, but
since the construction of bridges,
many of the country’s goods
travel by road. Not all
communities have stopped
plying the Gambia’s waters,
though; in the river’s upper areas,
‘barras’ (boats made of welded
metal sheets) are still used by
locals. Fishing remains an
important activity here, and the
promise of a plentiful catch
draws seasonal migrants, among
them the Toucouleur people
from neighbouring Senegal, who
call out to each other in the
Pulaar language — along with a
smattering of French — as they
haul in their nets.
140 nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel
THE GAMBIA