Places · Inland · The Gambia

Brikama, The Gambia: craft and music capital

Published June 3, 2026. Updated September 27, 2026.

Brikama is one of The Gambia's largest towns and the country's craft capital, set inland from the coast where the Kombo region meets the road south. It is best known for woodcarving and as a heartland of Gambian music — a working town with a strong creative reputation rather than a polished resort.

Brikama quick facts

Where: in western Gambia, inland from the Atlantic coast, south of Serrekunda — roughly 35 km by road from Banjul.
Status: the administrative centre of the West Coast Region and seat of the Brikama local-government area; often described as the country's second or third largest town.
Spellings: Brikama is standard; "Brigama" is a common alternative spelling.
Known for: the woodcarvers' craft market, kora music and griot families, and nearby Makasutu Culture Forest.
Languages: mainly Mandinka, with Wolof, Jola, Fula, and English.
Find it: on our interactive map.

What language is spoken in Brikama?

Mandinka is the predominant language in Brikama, reflecting the town's history as a Mandinka settlement in the Kombo area. Wolof is also widely spoken, especially in markets and among younger people, and you will hear Jola, Fula, and other Gambian languages too. English is the official language of The Gambia, used in government, schools, and business, so visitors can usually get by in English. A few words of Mandinka greetings go a long way — see the languages and etiquette guide.

The craft market

Brikama's craft market is the country's most important centre for woodcarving, where you can watch carvers at work and buy masks, figures, bowls, and furniture, often more cheaply and with more variety than at the coastal tourist markets. Prices are negotiable; the markets and crafts guide covers etiquette. Buying directly from makers supports the craft.

A home of the kora

Brikama is famous as a centre of Gambian music and the kora tradition, home to renowned griot families and instrument makers. For visitors interested in the country's music heritage, it is a meaningful place — sometimes it is possible to hear musicians or visit kora-making workshops, usually best arranged through a local contact or guide.

A regional hub

Brikama is a busy transport and market town and a gateway to the south coast and inland routes. It is also home to institutions such as Gambia College, the country's main teacher-training college. Nearby is the Makasutu Culture Forest, a private reserve of forest, mangrove, and savannah offering guided walks, canoe trips, and cultural displays — one of the most popular organised day trips from the coast.

Getting to Brikama

Shared vans and taxis run frequently between Brikama and Serrekunda's Westfield hub, and on to Banjul. From the coastal resorts, most visitors take a taxi or join an organised tour that combines Brikama with Makasutu. The drive usually takes under an hour from the Kololi area, depending on traffic. The getting-around guide explains fares and vehicle types.

What to expect

A genuine working town, busy and unpolished.
Excellent for crafts, especially woodcarving.
A short drive inland from the coastal strip.
Best combined with Makasutu or a south-coast trip.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Brikama in The Gambia?

Brikama is in western Gambia, inland from the Atlantic coast and south of Serrekunda, roughly 35 km by road from Banjul. It is the administrative centre of the West Coast Region.

Is Brikama a city?

Brikama is officially a town, but it is one of the largest urban areas in The Gambia and is often described as the country's second or third largest settlement.

What language do people speak in Brikama?

Mandinka is the predominant language. Wolof, Jola, and Fula are also spoken, and English is the official language, so visitors can usually communicate in English.

What is Brikama known for?

Its woodcarvers' craft market, its kora music and griot tradition, and its proximity to Makasutu Culture Forest.

Is it Brikama or Brigama?

Brikama is the standard spelling. Brigama is a common alternative spelling of the same town.