27/08/2026
A dragon is said to live in the creeks of the River Gambia. 🐉
For generations, stories of the mythical Ninki Nanka have been passed down through folklore, music and local traditions.
But as traditional storytelling declines, parts of this cultural heritage risk being lost. At the same time, many river communities remain far removed from the tourism benefits concentrated along the coast.
Together with the Ninki Nanka Encounters Foundation, we're launching TUI Colourful Cultures Gambia to help communities preserve this heritage while creating new tourism and income opportunities around it.
Over the next three years:
🐉 Ninki Nanka stories will be collected and preserved in the Gambian National Archives
🎭 Storytellers, artists, performers and tour guides will receive training and mentoring
🧵 Craftspeople will develop locally made products inspired by Ninki Nanka folklore
📖 A children’s storybook will bring the stories to new audiences
🌍 Six new cultural tourism experiences will connect visitors with communities along the trail
At the heart of the project will be the new Ninki Nanka Centre in Kotu - a hub for storytelling, crafts and creative enterprise.
Find out more: https://tuicarefoundation.com/mystical-dragons-residing-in-gambia-river-empowering-communities-through-storytelling-and-crafts/