Albreda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Albreda
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The Albreda-Jufureh archway
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 Albreda
Location in The Gambia
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| Country | The Gambia |
| Division | North Bank Division |
| District | Upper Niumi |
| Population
(2012)
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| • Total | 1,829 |
Albreda is a historic village in The Gambia, a country in West Africa. It's located on the north bank of the Gambia River. This area was once a very important trading spot. Albreda is close to another village called Jufureh, and there's even an archway on the beach connecting them! As of 2008, about 1,776 people lived here.
A Glimpse into Albreda's Past
Long ago, between the years 1520 and 1681, a wise Wolof leader named Musa Gaye is believed to have started the settlement of Albreda. Wolof traders called this place Draga. The Mandinka people, another group living there, called it Albadar.
European Trading Posts
In 1681, the local king, known as the mansa of Niumi, gave land to the French. His people relied on trade with Europeans, so this was an important decision. The French set up a small trading post here.
This French presence was a bit of a problem for the British. The British wanted to control all the trade along the Gambia River. They also had their own fort, Fort James, on James Island, which was very close by. Because of this, there were often arguments and even small fights between the French and the British. Fort James was captured by each side several times!
Changes Over Time
In 1779, the British left Fort James after a French attack. The French then left Albreda in 1804. But things changed again! In 1816, the British came back and started a new settlement called Bathurst (now Banjul) at the mouth of the river. Soon after, the French returned to Albreda.
Finally, in 1857, Albreda officially became part of the British Empire. Today, Albreda is home to a special museum. This museum, which opened in 1996, teaches visitors about the history of the slave trade in the region.
The Story of Roots
There's a family in Albreda who say they are descendants of a famous person named Kunta Kinte. You might know his story from the book Roots by Alex Haley. An oral historian named Kebba Kanji Fofana is said to have shared Kunta Kinte's story with Alex Haley. Even though Kunta Kinte's home was actually the nearby village of Juffure, this connection makes Albreda a special place for many people who have read the book or seen the TV series.
