Harmony House

Harmony House Apartments

2012-02-12T01:43:00.000-10:00

Welcome to your relaxing tropical oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the world

Harmony House Apartments Kerr Serign is located on a quiet road in a residential area in Kerr Serign away from traffic noise yet only 900m to the busy Senegambia Strip. The secluded beach, just a 10 minute walk, is perfect for swimming or jogging.

Looking to unwind and relax? Harmony House Apartments is the place for you.

Harmony House Apartments Kerr Serign is set in a peaceful garden and comprises of three two-storey buildings. We feature six 2 bedroom fully furnished apartments with kitchen and verandas.

Harmony House Apartments Kerr Serign features:
10 minute walk to the beach
8 minute walk to Senegambia
Satellite TV
Solar Back Up System
24 Hours Security
Secured Parking
On-site laundry facility
Maid Service
Tourist Guide Service
Car Rental
Private & Discrete Location

HARMONY HOUSE APARTMENTS
Furnished self-catering apartments
Kerr Serrign (near coconuts residence)
2 bedrooms flats
Satellite TV Solar Back Up
Your Tropical Oasis
The Gambia, West Africa
+220 799 3244
+220- 992 3244
bsrapid@hotmail.com
gambiaharmony@gmail.com

2 Bedroom Apartments

2010-05-20T08:23:00.007-10:00

Our light and airy two bedroom apartments sensitively fuses contemporary style with traditional tropical elegance. The six apartment units are set dramatically amongst lush tropical vegetation. It is the perfect holiday retreat for one or two couples or families with children.

The apartments feature living room with sofa, coffee table, SAT TV, ceiling fan and A/C. The kitchen is fully loaded with cutlery, fridge, oven and a breakfast table. The two bedrooms are spacious both with double beds and wardrobes. The bathroom is equipped with a full bath and shower. Each apartment has it's own private veranda, a quiet place to read, enjoy a glass of wine, gaze at the sunset and dream under the stars.

The interiors blends African comfort with casual sophistication. Harmony House Apartments affords proximity to the restaurants and shops of Senegambia and the spas of several five star hotels. Located just off the main road, it is a 10 minute walk to beautiful palm fringed beach. We can also arrange a personal tour guide to give you a hidden glimpse of paradise in The Gambia.

If you are looking for peace, harmony, privacy and a friendly atmosphere we invite you to be our Guest at Harmony House Apartments in Kerr Serign.

Your Tropical Oasis in The Gambia

Facilities and Services
Gas cooker,fridge/freezer,Fully equipped kitchen,Sat TV,Ceiling Fans,A/C, Private Veranda, Solar Backup,Secured Parking,Maid Service, 24 Hour Security, Concierge Services, Airport pick-up, Local Guides,Tours, 4x4 Rental, Bird Watching, Sports Fishing and much more!
HARMONY HOUSE APARTMENTS
Furnished self-catering apartments
Kerr Serign (near coconuts residence)
2 bedrooms flats
Satellite TV Solar Back Up
Your Tropical Oasis
The Gambia, West Africa
+220 799 3244
+220- 992 3244
bsrapid@hotmail.com
gambiaharmony@gmail.com

Gambia Rental Prices

2010-04-22T06:02:00.012-10:00

If you look for peace, harmony and a friendly private atmosphere we invite you to be our Guest at Harmony House Apartments in Kerr Serrign.

Apartment Rental Prices

Two Bedroom Apartment

Daily 1000D

Weekly 125 Pounds Sterling

Monthly 400 Pounds Sterling

Long Term Rentals

3 Months 1000 Pounds Sterling

6 Months 2000 Pounds Sterling

12 Months 3500 Pounds Sterling

Nearby Attractions
Senegambia
Monkey Park
Bijilo Nature Forest
Senegambia Beach
Craft Market
Dream Park
Water Sports
Biking
Bird Watching
Restaurants
Resorts
Bars
Clubs
Casinos
HARMONY HOUSE APARTMENTS
Furnished self-catering apartments
Kerr Serign (near coconuts residence)
2 bedrooms flats
Satellite TV, Solar Back Up
Your Tropical Oasis
The Gambia, West Africa
+220 799 3244
+220- 992 3244
bsrapid@hotmail.com
gambiaharmony@gmail.com

Taste of the Kombo

2010-03-21T06:40:00.003-10:00

The day starts at Katchically crocodile pool where we may be fortunate to see ‘Charlie’ the crocodile featured in several British TV programmes. The history of this holy place will be told to you by your guide.

The next stop will be the Botanical Gardens where a variety of African flora and fauna are to be found, a guide is on hand for information and to answer any queries you may have.

Moving on to Bakau Craft Market to see craftsmen at work and an opportunity to buy the exquisite wooden carvings produced. A welcome stop for refreshments will be at one of the local bars where you can buy a Julbrew, soft drink or water.

From here we move on to Serrekunda, the most densely populated town in The Gambia to see the skill and fascinating process of producing tie-dye and batik cottons. Next the hustle and bustle of Serrekunda market where the locals do their shopping from a vast array of goods necessary for everyday life.

On our return journey we will visit the school for the blind before being dropped off at the hotels by around 2pm.

If you look for peace, harmony and a friendly atmosphere we invite you to be our Guest at Harmony House Apartments in Kerr Serign.

Your Tropical Oasis in The Gambia!

Facilities and Services
Gas cooker,fridge/freezer,Fully equipped kitchen,Sat TV,Ceiling Fans,A/C, Private Veranda, Solar Backup,Secured Parking,Maid Service, 24 Hour Security, Concierge Services, Airport pick-up, Local Guides,Tours, 4x4 Rental, Bird Watching, Sports Fishing and much more!

HARMONY HOUSE APARTMENTS
Furnished self-catering apartments
Kerr Serrign (near coconuts residence)
2 bedrooms flats
Satellite TV Solar Back Up
Your Tropical Oasis
The Gambia, West Africa
+220 799 3244
+220 992 3244
bsrapid@hotmail.com
gambiaharmony@gmail.com

Bush Tracker's Breakfast

2010-02-21T07:20:00.002-10:00

The idea behind this excursion is to give people more insight into the wild animals of the Gambia/Makasutu, allowing more time to track the animals, and explore the forest and habitats within it.

This experience is aimed at people with an interest in wildlife, and is more specialized than the existing day trip.

Breakfast will be a true African bush adventure. The guests will be given flat spades (shovels) to cook their own breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausages, and tomatoes over small campfires (Alternatively, the chef can cook this in the Kitchen if some guests wish). After some relaxation a return to the Hotels is organized in plenty of time for lunch.

Arrive at Makasutu "Base Camp" around sunrise for tea/coffee and the dawn chorus from the birds. Small groups (no more than 6 per guide) will set out for the "Big Forest" searching for tracks and spoor, which will then set the direction that the excursion will take.

A deeper knowledge of the habitats and behavior of the animals will be gained, and also a chance to visit the forest at a time when most activity is taking place.

If you are looking for peace, harmony, privacy and a friendly atmosphere we invite you to be our Guest at Harmony House Apartments in Kerr Serign.

Your Tropical Oasis in The Gambia

Facilities and Services
Gas cooker,fridge/freezer,Fully equipped kitchen,Sat TV,Ceiling Fans,A/C, Private Veranda, Solar Backup,Secured Parking,Maid Service, 24 Hour Security, Concierge Services, Airport pick-up, Local Guides,Tours, 4x4 Rental, Bird Watching, Sports Fishing and much more!

HARMONY HOUSE APARTMENTS
Furnished self-catering apartments
Kerr Serrign (near coconuts residence)
2 bedrooms flats
Satellite TV Solar Back Up
Your Tropical Oasis
The Gambia, West Africa
+220 799 3244
+220 992 3244
bsrapid@hotmail.com
gambiaharmony@gmail.com

Gambia 4X4 Adventure

2010-02-03T07:03:00.004-10:00

An off the beaten track adventure following the coast and also uncovering the Gambian village way of life. Probably the most popular tour in The Gambia!

An off the beaten track adventure in either an army style truck or Land Rover which follows the coast of this exciting country and also uncovers the Gambian village way of life. This can be a dusty and bumpy day but is well worth it.

During the day there will be the opportunity to visit some villages and experience the hospitality of the friendly locals. A visit to a village school always proves to be one of the highlights of the day (any contributions of pens, pencils, books etc are always gratefully received by the head teacher). Before lunch we visit a local palm wine compound where you will learn how palm wine is tapped and offered a taste to sample. Lunch is served on one of the unspoilt beaches in the south of the country, followed by the chance to swim and sunbathe.

In the afternoon a further stop at the Tanji museum gives the chance to learn more about traditional Gambian culture. Finally we drive past a typical fishing village before heading back to the hotels.

Unscheduled stops are made during the day to observe the antics of chattering monkeys and hopefully baboons in their treetop playgrounds. Many exotic and colourful species of birds can also be spotted and admired.

This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the real Gambia and enjoy a totally different way of life!

If you are looking for peace, harmony, privacy and a friendly atmosphere we invite you to be our Guest at Harmony House Apartments in Kerr Serign.

Your Tropical Oasis in The Gambia
Facilities and Services
Gas cooker,fridge/freezer,Fully equipped kitchen,Sat TV,Ceiling Fans,A/C, Private Veranda, Solar Backup,Secured Parking,Maid Service, 24 Hour Security, Concierge Services, Airport pick-up, Local Guides,Tours, 4x4 Rental, Bird Watching, Sports Fishing and much more!

HARMONY HOUSE APARTMENTS
Furnished self-catering apartments
Kerr Serrign (near coconuts residence)
2 bedrooms flats
Satellite TV Solar Back Up
Your Tropical Oasis
The Gambia, West Africa

+220 799 3244
+220 992 3244
bsrapid@hotmail.com
gambiaharmony@gmail.com

Senegal Treasure Island

2010-01-18T07:25:00.003-10:00

A full day excursion to the treasure island Janack, taking you through the countryside of The Gambia and neighbouring Senegal.

The day kicks off with an early morning trip to Banjul to experience the hustle and bustle of the port before embarking on the ferry for the 45 minute crossing to Barra on the North Bank of The River Gambia. Fery times can be erratic and are ofton crowded.

After our rendez-vous with our 4WD truck and a quick breakfast stop our journey continues to the short distance to the Senegalise border crossing where you will go through passport control at the village of Bakindakotu. Then after a scenic 30-45 minute we arrive at Janack island where a beach picnic lunch has been prepared for us. We recommend sensible walking shoes and sun hat and protection and try not to use open sandals as the sand can be quite hot.

After lunch there is time to chill out and maybe take a dip in the sea before setting off back to the otherside of the island to catch the boat back for our return journey. We arrive back at your hotel between 6pm and 8pm.

NB: DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPORTS. Non-Eu passport holders will require a visa, which must be applied for in person and takes around 3 working days approximately.

If you are looking for peace, harmony, privacy and a friendly atmosphere we invite you to be our Guest at Harmony House Apartments in Kerr Serign.

Your Tropical Oasis in The Gambia

Facilities and Services
Gas cooker,fridge/freezer,Fully equipped kitchen,Sat TV,Ceiling Fans,A/C, Private Veranda, Solar Backup,Secured Parking,Maid Service, 24 Hour Security, Concierge Services, Airport pick-up, Local Guides,Tours, 4x4 Rental, Bird Watching, Sports Fishing and much more!

HARMONY HOUSE APARTMENTS
Furnished self-catering apartments
Kerr Serrign (near coconuts residence)
2 bedrooms flats
Satellite TV Solar Back Up
Your Tropical Oasis
The Gambia, West Africa

+220 799 3244
+220 992 3244
bsrapid@hotmail.com
gambiaharmony@gmail.com

Sports Fishing

2009-12-06T07:31:00.001-10:00

We collect you from your residence and take you to Denton Bridge where the boats leave at 10:00hrs depending on the weather and water conditions. We will troll to catch Barracuda or bottom fishing to catch Threadfin Salmon (captain fish). Red Snapper, Grouper, Cassava, Stingray, Guitarfish, etc. Lunch is provided on board, drinks are for sale. All the boats are fully insured.

We reach Denton Bridge around 17.00hrs where the transport is waiting to take us back to the hotels.

If you are looking for peace, harmony, privacy and a friendly atmosphere we invite you to be our Guest at Harmony House Apartments in Kerr Serign.

Your Tropical Oasis in The Gambia

Facilities and Services
Gas cooker,fridge/freezer,Fully equipped kitchen,Sat TV,Ceiling Fans,A/C, Private Veranda, Solar Backup,Secured Parking,Maid Service, 24 Hour Security, Concierge Services, Airport pick-up, Local Guides,Tours, 4x4 Rental, Bird Watching, Sports Fishing and much more!

HARMONY HOUSE APARTMENTS
Furnished self-catering apartments
Kerr Serrign (near coconuts residence)
2 bedrooms flats
Satellite TV Solar Back Up
Your Tropical Oasis
The Gambia, West Africa
+220 799 3244
+220 992 3244
bsrapide@hotmail.com
gambiaharmony@gmail.com

Visit Senegal

2009-11-10T07:34:00.002-10:00

Senegal lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator and enjoys a steady warm year round climate, with a short rainy season between the months of June and September.

As such it provides the perfect weather for a lazy beach holiday, especially in the Saly region just south of Dakar; but Senegal also has three mighty rivers and these provide a good deal of fertile land and some wonderfully intricate coastal lagoons and waterways that are a joy to explore.

And because of this abundance of water and fertility it supports a great wealth of wildlife including numerous birds from coastal waders to large raptors, and various mammal species such as warthogs, hyenas, monkeys, baboons, manatees and dolphins.

Climate
Senegal has marked contrasts in climate. The coastal region, except in Casamance, is equable, with low rainfall and high humidity. Inland, the climate is drier, ranging to the semi-desert of the Sahel region in the east. The wet season is from June to September, rather shorter in the north and longer in the south, especially near the coast.

Visas
Citizens of countries member of the European Union (EU) do not need visa to travel to Senegal for up to three months stay. Visas are also not required for citzens of Canada Israel Japan Taiwan United States .

People
The population was estimated in 2002 at about 9,8 millions , of which a quarter live in the agglomeration of Dakar, it is composed of many ethnics.

The Wolofs, are the most represented (35%), they make up the majority in all the regions, especially in the centre, the north and the coast of Dakar and Saint Louis. The farmers and the merchants, of Muslim faith for the majority, there importance is certain in the nations economy. The Lebous, established in fishing communities in the peninsula of Cap-Vert and in Saint Louis are related.

The Pulaar (20%), is composed of the Foulbes, Peuls and Toucouleurs, in the northern Senegal, the Fouta Toro, historical source for the propagation of Islam in Senegal, make up the cultural birthplace, they are very active in the commercial domain, as well as breeding and irrigated farming. they populate the Senegalese river valley and the Ferlo region.

The Sereres (17%) are less scattered out than the other ethnic groups. They can be found in the Sine-Saloum, along the Small Coast, in the centre of countries and north-west of the Gambia. The majority are Muslim, except for those along the Small Coast. The Diolas (10%) can be found in the Casamance, but also in Gambia and the Guinea-Bissau. Oriented rather to the culture of rice, they are for the majority animist and/or Christians in the basse Casamance region (Ziguinchor, Oussouye, Cap Skiring), and musulmans in the north and east.

Other than the main ethnic groups, we find the Mandingues of Eastern Senegal, the Soninkes very present in the east of the country and in the zones adjacent to the Mali and the Mauritania, the Bassari which live mainly by the culture of the millet and corn, of the picking and hunting, between the Guinea border and the limit of the Niokolo-Koba national park.

You may already be a fan of Senegalese music, or you may well already be a fan of Senegalese music without realising it. For a relatively small country they have produced a startling amount of fabulous music, and much that has crossed over the ‘world music’ divide into the consciousness of Western musical audiences.

Naming Ceremonies
These are great lively occasions that are well worth a look if you have the opportunity. This normally takes place one week after the child is born. The elders of the village gather together in the morning and name the baby whilst slaying either a chicken, goat, sheep or cow depending on the wealth of the family. Then the rest of the village is invited to join in and the party continues long into the night. There are displays of dancing and singing and collections for the new baby continue throughout the event - so we recommend that if ever invited you take along plenty of small notes.

Tabaski
Tabaski is probably the most important celebration in the Muslim calendar and is marked by a two-day public holiday. Muslims kill a ram to commemorate when Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac in obedience to God.

Ramadan
This is a 30-day festival that takes place each and every year in the ninth month of the lunar calendar. During this period all physically mature and healthy Muslims are obliged to abstain from all food, drink, gum chewing and any kind of tobacco use.

Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends. The fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to thank and appreciate all of God's bounties.

Music
A few names for you: Youssou N’Dour, Baaba Maal, Orchestra Baobab – and these are just the artists that have made that crossover; you’ll find that music is such a presence in Senegal, and such a crucial part of the very fabric of life that it will form a soundtrack to your holiday, a soundtrack for your memories.

ATTRACTIONS

The Bandia Nature Reserve
Is a small but perfectly formed game reserve, situated 40 miles from Dakar near Saly and M’bour.

You can enter the reserve either in your own car or in one of the Reserve’s 4WD vehicles and hire the services of one of the skilled guides to see some typical African savannah animals: Giraffe, White Rhino, Zebra, Roan Antelope, Waterbuck, Kudu, Oryx, Impala, Cape Eland, Lord Derby Eland, Kob Antelope, West African Forest Buffalo, Wart Hog, Crocodiles, Green Vervet Monkeys and Patas Monkeys.

Dakar
Is the capital of Senegal, located on the Cape Verde Peninsula, on the country's Atlantic coast. It is Senegal's largest city. Its position, on the western edge of Africa, is an advantageous departure point for trans-Atlantic and European trade; this fact aided its growth into a major regional port.

Kermel Market
Many women go to the colourful Kermel Market to sell a variety of flowers: marigolds, zinnias and sunflowers. The flowers are primarily for western tourists. At Kermel Market, a hot spot for foreign visitors from the West and Asia, vendors have been selling their goods since the beginning of the twentieth century.

Lac Rose
Lac Rose (The Pink Lake) surrounded by dunes, is a large shallow lagoon 10 times saltier than the ocean and is renowned for its pink hue when the sun is high. The colour is due to a high concentration of minerals in the water. Senegal’s answer to the Dead Sea, you can swim here or effortlessly float on the surface. There is a small-scale salt-collecting industry on the southern side of the lake which is also worth a visit.

Marche Sandanga
The Marche Sandanga (Sandanga Market) is a labrynth of stalls selling anything from Senegalese music casettes to freshly plucked chickens. You can buy just about anything here, although don’t expect too many souvenir stalls. Colourful and vibrant cloth and clothing are a major attraction of this traditional market, drawing in many visitors.

Palais Présidential
The Palais Présidentiel (Presidential Palace) is a white building dating back to 1906 and encompassing strikingly lovely gardens. Guards in their Presidential uniforms guard the outside and pose with tourists for pictures.

Village Artisanal
One of the most popular places for buying souvenirs is the government-sponsored Village Artisanal (Village of Traditional Handicrafts), near the fishing beach of Soumbédioune. You'll find a tremendous display of wooden carvings, metal work, gold and silver jewellery, ivory, tablecloths, blankets, leather goods and clothing, but a lot of the goods are turned around very quickly and you have to search hard for good-quality pieces.

Goree Island
To the east of Dakar, about 3km offshore, is Île de Gorée, one of the earliest European settlements along this part of coast. Today it is a haven of history and peace within easy reach of Dakar via ferry which departs every two hours during the daylight.

Local Art & Crafts
You will find a variety of traditional vibrant, colourful fabrics and canvasses, together with wooden carvings and instruments on display on the island produced by local artists.

The Old Slave Trading Station
With its colonial brick-structures and sand-blown, bougainvillea-flushed alleyways, this island is a haven of tranquillity. But there's a sad background to all this calm beauty - Île de Gorée used to be an important slave trading station, and many visitors come here for traces of this tragic past. Maison des Esclaves (Slave House) is a museum dedicated to the slave era.

The Fort
The Fort stands as a reminder of the Second World War. Here visitors can see a memorial statue and the original heavy metal war guns, and view a red buoy out in the sea marking where a British ship was sunk by the guns during the war. You can find out more about the effects of the war on Gorée Island by visiting the island’s museum of history. There is also the opportunity to visit a traditional African mosque.

Saint Louis
The Saint Louis region of Senegal sits just off the border with Mauritania. Famous for its cast iron bridge, put in by French colonialists in the 19th century, it is close to the Djoudj National Park, home to thousands of birds, some indigenous to the area. The city is also famed for its culinary roots, being the home to Senegal's national dish: Ceb-u-djen - rice and fish.

The Governor’s Palace
The Governor’s Palace is an 18th century fort, and now a government building. Place Faidherbe, with its statue of the famous French colonial governor, sits in front of the Governor’s Palace.

Guet N’Dar Fishing Village
In the fishing part of the town, Guet N’Dar, pirogues are lined up on the beach and fish dry on racks by the side of the road. Women boil up fish in vast drums, and the steam mixes odorously with the early morning sea mist. A little further south is the Muslim cemetery, where each fisherman’s grave is covered with a fishing net.

Réserve de Faune de Guembeul
This reserve is small, accessible and easy to explore by foot. It’s about 8 miles south of St Louis. The landscape is a mixture of lagoons, mud flats and dry woodland protecting the population of endangered Sahel animals, which include Dama Gazelles, Patas Monkeys and Sulcata Tortoises. There are also many birds around the lagoon – 190 species have been spotted here – and there are plans to introduce other Sahel mammals into the reserve.

If you are looking for peace, harmony, privacy and a friendly atmosphere we invite you to be our Guest at Harmony House Apartments in Kerr Serign.

Your Tropical Oasis in The Gambia

Facilities and Services
Gas cooker,fridge/freezer,Fully equipped kitchen,Sat TV,Ceiling Fans,A/C, Private Veranda, Solar Backup,Secured Parking,Maid Service, 24 Hour Security, Concierge Services, Airport pick-up, Local Guides,Tours, 4x4 Rental, Bird Watching, Sports Fishing and much more!

HARMONY HOUSE APARTMENTS
Furnished self-catering apartments
Kerr Serrign (near coconuts residence)
2 bedrooms flats
Satellite TV Solar Back Up
Your Tropical Oasis
The Gambia, West Africa

+220 799 3244
+220 992 3244
bsrapid@hotmail.com
gambiaharmony@gmail.com

2009-10-30T07:59:00.002-10:00

More than 1,500 years before the Maya flourished in Central America, 25 centuries before the Aztecs conquered large swaths of Mexico, the mysterious Olmec people were building the first great culture of Mesoamerica. Starting in 1200 B.C. in the steamy jungles of Mexico's southern Gulf Coast, the Olmec's influence spread as far as modern Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica and El Salvador.

They built large settlements, established elaborate trade routes and developed religious iconography and rituals, including ceremonial ball games, blood-letting and human sacrifice, that were adapted by all the Mesoamerican civilizations to follow.

The Olmecs were the first Mesoamerican people to fathom the concept of zero, maintain a calendar, and use a hieroglyphic writing system based on the Manding system of West Africa. These intellectual achievements, as well as Olmec myths and rituals, were influential in the subsequent Maya, Zapotec, and Aztec cultures.

Studies done by researchers such as Ivan Van Sertima (They Came Before Columbus), Alexander Von Wuthenau (Unexpected Faces in Ancient America), Runoko Rashidi and others have presented evidence that clearly show that the Olmecs were Africans from the Mende regions of West Africa .

Studies done by Clyde Winters show that the Olmecs used the Mende script, a writing system used among the Mandinkas and other Africans in West Africa . When the writings on Olmec monuments were translated, it was found that the language spoken by the Olmecs was Mende.

The Olmecs practiced a religion and astronomical sciences identical to those practiced by Africans in the Mali region and Nigeria today. The Olmecs studied the Venus Complex in astronomy. Today, the Ono and Bambara who are famous sea and river travelers have studied that same complex for thousands of years. In fact, another group the Dogon is well known for their tracking and mapping of the Sirius star system and their accurate results.

The Olmecs also had a religious practice of Thunder worship where the ax was a prominent feature. In West Africa , the ax is also a prominent feature in connection with the Shango or Thunder God worship. Both the Olmecs and the Shango worshippers in West Africa placed an emphasis on the religious significance of children in their religious practices.

The earliest trade and commercial activities between prehistoric and ancient Africa and the Americas may have occurred from West Africa and may have included shipping and travel across the Atlantic. The history of West Africa has never been properly researched. Yet, there is ample evidence to show that West Africa of 1500 B.C. was at a level of civilization approaching that of ancient Egypt and Nubia-Kush.

The Olmecs used an African practice that is very common in Africa and to some extent in Melanesia . That practice is body scarification and specifically facial scarification as practiced in West Africa . Many of the facial scars seen on the Olmec terracotta faces, such as "dot" keloids and "lined" patterns are identical to Africans such as the Dinka of Sudan and the Yoruba and others of West Africa .

The flowering of the Olmec Civilization occurred between 1500 B.C. to 1000 B.C., when over twenty-two collosal heads of basalt were carved representing the West African Negritic racial type. This flowering continued with the appearance of "Magicians," or Shamanistic Africans who observed and charted the Venus planetary complex.
These "Magicians," are said to have entered Mexico from West Africa between 800 B.C. to 600 B.C. and were speakers of the Mende language as well as writers of the Mende script or the Bambara script, both which are still used in parts of West Africa and the Sahara.

Journeys by ship along the coast of West Africa toward the North, through the Pillars of Heracles, eastward on the Mediterran to Ports such as Byblos in Lebanon, Tyre or Sydon would have been two to three times as lengthy as taking a ship from Cape Verde, sailing it across the Atlantic and landing in North-Eastern Brazil fifteen hundred miles away, or Meso America about 2400 miles away. The distance in itself is not what makes the trip easy. It is the fact that currents which are similar to gigantic rivers in the ocean, carry ships and other vessels from West Africa to the Americas with relative ease.

The Olmec homeland is characterized by swampy lowlands punctuated by low hill ridges and volcanoes. The Olmec response to this environment was the construction of permanent city-temple complexes. The best-known Olmec centers are at San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, La Venta, Tres Zapotes, Chalcatzingo, and La Mojarra. The Olmec were the first Mesoamericans to develop a hieroglyphic script for their language, the earliest known example dating from 650 BC.

The Olmec practiced shamanism. They believed each individual has an animal spirit. Olmec religion centered around the Shaman. "The feared and revered shaman would conduct rituals and heal the sick." Some believe that the sun was a part of their worshipping along with the jaguar.

The jaguar was a very important figure to the Olmec. "To the ancient Indians the jaguar was a symbol of supernatural forces-not a simple animal, but an ancestor and a god." It was referred to as a nahual, which is an animal that is so closely related to a certain man, that if the animal dies, the man will also die.

The Olmecs were brought up believing the Great Serpent was a divine power that was believed to have brought prosperity and growth. When the Olmec first settled around the volcanoes, they noticed the dried up lava that there were resemblances to their Great Serpent, the Olmec farmers took these large basalt boulders and carved them into monuments, for example the colossal heads, and placed them in their maize fields.

Although no remains have been found of any person of the Olmec civilization, researchers have learned how they were laid to rest. After the master dies, he was laid to rest in a special burial mound in the middle of the ceremonial court. He was placed in there adorned with earrings, beads , and necklaces made of jade. Over the body, a layer of thick cinnabar red putty in the shape of an oval was spread over him with thirty-seven serpentine and jade celts. This site was then decorated on top with jewels and other decor.

However, only traces of human remains have been found. "The authors posit that the Olmecs believed that the human body, itself, and espescially that of the ruler, divided itself and represented the three cosmic levels: the celestial or heavenly, the terrestrial, the earth’s surface and the watery underworld, reachable through caves and sacred accesses.

If you are looking for peace, harmony, privacy and a friendly atmosphere we invite you to be our Guest at Harmony House Apartments in Kerr Serign.

Your Tropical Oasis in The Gambia

Facilities and Services
Gas cooker,fridge/freezer,Fully equipped kitchen,Sat TV,Ceiling Fans,A/C, Private Veranda, Solar Backup,Secured Parking,Maid Service, 24 Hour Security, Concierge Services, Airport pick-up, Local Guides,Tours, 4x4 Rental, Bird Watching, Sports Fishing and much more!

HARMONY HOUSE APARTMENTS
Furnished self-catering apartments
Kerr Serrign (near coconuts residence)
2 bedrooms flats
Satellite TV Solar Back Up
Your Tropical Oasis
The Gambia, West Africa
+220 799 3244
+220 992 3244
bsrapid@hotmail.com
gambiaharmony@gmail.com

Gambia Art Gallery

2009-08-31T07:26:00.002-10:00

The Mama Africa Art Gallery, located in Batokunku Village, Kombo South, is run and coordinated by Isha Fofana, a renowned female Gambian artist, and her husband, Bern Axe.

The art gallery hosted the first ever Women's Museum established in the history of The Gambia's Arts and Culture industry. The million dalasi museum was opened few months ago by Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, the minister of Tourism and Culture, on behalf of the vice president of the Republic of The Gambia and minister of Women's Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy.

The Tourism and Culture minister was accompanied by senior government officials, Momodou Joof, the director of the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), among others. In addition, the Women's Museum hosted an International Women Arts Exhibition held from the 8th to the 16th of March 2010. This rare exhibition brought together four top women artists from the Federal Republic of Germany and a total of 22 renowned artists sent in their products for exhibition at the museum.

The Arts and Culture desk officer last week made a short visit to the Mama Africa Art Gallery and was taken on a conducted tour by the proprietor, Isha Fofana, across the length and breadth of the gallery. The most striking aspect of the tour covered the inside view of the Women's Museum, where different artifacts that got there root from centuries of our traditional norms and values could be seen hanging on the walls, hangers displayed on the floor, some products contained in special containers for preservation of the spirit of arts and culture in the country and beyond.

Another interesting site of the gallery is the workshop that is located right at the far end of the compound, where training is offered to children and other potential artists on different skills. Trees and plants of different species could also be seen scattered in the garden. These trees and plants are used for healing numerous ailments. The set up of Mama Africa depicts a pristine natural environment where virtually everything is made out of traditional and natural products such as wood.
If you are looking for peace, harmony, privacy and a friendly atmosphere we invite you to be our Guest at Harmony House Apartments in Kerr Serign.

Your Tropical Oasis in The Gambia

Facilities and Services
Gas cooker,fridge/freezer,Fully equipped kitchen,Sat TV,Ceiling Fans,A/C, Private Veranda, Solar Backup,Secured Parking,Maid Service, 24 Hour Security, Concierge Services, Airport pick-up, Local Guides,Tours, 4x4 Rental, Bird Watching, Sports Fishing and much more!
HARMONY HOUSE APARTMENTS
Furnished self-catering apartments
Kerr Serign (near coconuts residence)
2 bedrooms flats
Satellite TV Solar Back Up
Your Tropical Oasis
The Gambia, West Africa
+220 799 3244 992 3244
bsrapid@hotmail.com
gambiaharmony@gmail.com

African Proverbs

2009-07-31T07:32:00.002-10:00

The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people.

What is bad luck for one man is good luck for another.

When you are rich, you are hated; when you are poor, you are despised.

Wood already touched by fire is not hard to set alight.

A child who is to be successful is not reared exclusively on a bed of down.

A knife does not know who is its master.

A woman is like a blanket: If you cover yourself with it, it bothers you; if you throw it aside you will feel the cold.

He who is guilty has much to say.

If there were no elephant in the jungle, the buffalo would be a great animal.

If things are getting easier, maybe you're headed downhill

It is the wife who knows her husband

Marriage is like a groundnut: you have to crack them to see what is inside.

If the dog is not at home, he barks not.

A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride.

Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for something

It takes a whole village to raise a child

By the time the fool has learned the game, the players have dispersed

Hunger is felt by a slave and hunger is felt by a king

One cannot both feast and become rich

One falsehood spoils a thousand truths

A talkative bird will not build a nest.

By crawling, a child learns to stand.

Earth is but a marketplace; heaven is home.

Everybody loves a fool, but nobody wants him for a son.

The teeth that laugh are also those that bite.

When the music changes, so does the dance.

Silence is also speech.

A lobster loves water, but not when he's being cooked in it.

A rotten fish pollutes the whole kitchen

If you are looking for peace, harmony, privacy and a friendly atmosphere we invite you to be our Guest at Harmony House Apartments in Kerr Serign.

Your Tropical Oasis in The Gambia

Facilities and Services
Gas cooker,fridge/freezer,Fully equipped kitchen,Sat TV,Ceiling Fans,A/C, Private Veranda, Solar Backup,Secured Parking,Maid Service, 24 Hour Security, Concierge Services, Airport pick-up, Local Guides,Tours, 4x4 Rental, Bird Watching, Sports Fishing and much more!

HARMONY HOUSE APARTMENTS
Furnished self-catering apartments
Kerr Serign (near coconuts residence)
2 bedrooms flats
Satellite TV Solar Back Up
Your Tropical Oasis
The Gambia, West Africa

+220 799 3244
+220 992 3244
bsrapid@hotmail.com
gambiaharmony@gmail.com