Gambian Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

The Gambia is a narrow country in West Africa that follows the course of the Gambia River, almost entirely surrounded by Senegal. English is the official language, and Mandinka, Wolof and Fula are widely spoken. Gambians in Birmingham include families, students and professionals.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 429 Birmingham residents described their ethnic group as Gambian.

Working for Birmingham

Gambian residents work in healthcare, social care, security, transport, hospitality and retail, and many are studying to build new careers. The Gambia's tourism industry has long links with Britain, and Gambian professionals bring skills in customer service, hospitality and business to their work.

The city's future rests on the same things as its past: skills, enterprise and people willing to put in the hours. Whether in a hospital, a classroom, a lecture theatre, a van full of tools or a shop on a busy high street, Gambian residents are helping to build that future, and to make Birmingham a stronger, fairer and more welcoming city.

Culture and community life

Domoda, a peanut stew, and benachin, a one-pot rice dish, are national favourites, and Eid is the highlight of the year. Music and drumming are part of every celebration, and Independence Day on 18 February brings the community together. The kora, a harp-like instrument with 21 strings, is played by griots who carry the history of families and kingdoms in their songs.

In a city where scores of languages are spoken, the Gambian community adds another voice to the conversation. Its members, old and new, are helping to make Birmingham the confident, outward-looking city it wants to be.