Albreda
Encyclopedia
Albreda is a historic settlement in The Gambia
on the north bank of the Gambia River
, variously described as a 'trading post' or a 'slave fort'. It is located near Jufureh
in the North Bank Division
and an arch stands on the beach connecting the two places. As of 2008, it has an estimated population of 1,776.
Musa Gaye, a Wolof
marabout
, founded it sometime between 1520 and 1681. Wolof traders called the island Draga, while the Mandinkas
called it Albadar.
In 1681, a local ruler, Niumi Mansa, gave the land to the French because his people depended on trade with Europeans. The French exclave was never very large (never more than one factory) but its location was inconvenient for the British, who otherwise had a monopoly
on trade on the Gambia River
. The British also possessed Fort James on James Island
, which was less than two miles away on the opposite bank, and which fulfilled a similar function. There was constant tension and occasional skirmishes between the two powers, with Fort James changing hands between them several times.
Albreda was transferred from French control
to the British empire
in 1857. Today it contains a slave
museum
.
The Gambia
The Republic of The Gambia, commonly referred to as The Gambia, or Gambia , is a country in West Africa. Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, surrounded by Senegal except for a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean in the west....
on the north bank of the Gambia River
Gambia River
The Gambia River is a major river in West Africa, running from the Fouta Djallon plateau in north Guinea westward through Senegal and The Gambia to the Atlantic Ocean at the city of Banjul...
, variously described as a 'trading post' or a 'slave fort'. It is located near Jufureh
Jufureh
Jufureh, Juffureh or Juffure is a town in The Gambia, located 30 kilometers inland on the north bank of the River Gambia in the North Bank Division near James Island. The town is home to a museum and Fort Jillifree....
in the North Bank Division
North Bank Division
North Bank is one of the five administrative divisions of The Gambia. Its capital is Kerewan.-Districts:North Bank is divided into 6 districts:*Central Baddibu*Jokadu*Lower Baddibu*Lower Niumi*Upper Baddibu*Upper Niumi-See also:...
and an arch stands on the beach connecting the two places. As of 2008, it has an estimated population of 1,776.
History
Wolof people
The Wolof are an ethnic group found in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania.In Senegal, the Wolof form an ethnic plurality with about 43.3% of the population are Wolofs...
marabout
Marabout
A marabout is a Muslim religious leader and teacher in West Africa, and in the Maghreb. The marabout is often a scholar of the Qur'an, or religious teacher. Others may be wandering holy men who survive on alms, Sufi Murshids , or leaders of religious communities...
, founded it sometime between 1520 and 1681. Wolof traders called the island Draga, while the Mandinkas
Mandinka people
The Mandinka, Malinke are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa with an estimated population of eleven million ....
called it Albadar.
In 1681, a local ruler, Niumi Mansa, gave the land to the French because his people depended on trade with Europeans. The French exclave was never very large (never more than one factory) but its location was inconvenient for the British, who otherwise had a monopoly
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...
on trade on the Gambia River
Gambia River
The Gambia River is a major river in West Africa, running from the Fouta Djallon plateau in north Guinea westward through Senegal and The Gambia to the Atlantic Ocean at the city of Banjul...
. The British also possessed Fort James on James Island
James Island (The Gambia)
James Island is an island in the Gambia River, 30 km from the river mouth and near Juffureh in the country of The Gambia. On 6 February 2011 it was renamed Kunta Kinteh Island to give the Island a Gambian name. Fort James is located on the island...
, which was less than two miles away on the opposite bank, and which fulfilled a similar function. There was constant tension and occasional skirmishes between the two powers, with Fort James changing hands between them several times.
Albreda was transferred from French control
French colonial empire
The French colonial empire was the set of territories outside Europe that were under French rule primarily from the 17th century to the late 1960s. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the colonial empire of France was the second-largest in the world behind the British Empire. The French colonial empire...
to the British empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
in 1857. Today it contains a slave
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
.