Background

Bakalarr Basic Cycle School, in the North Bank Region, is reached from Banjul by using the ferry across the Gambia River to Barra, followed by a road journey of about 15km. [ Map showing Bakalarr BCS ] The school serves five local villages, and has Grades from 1 to 9, as well as a nursery class. One of the earliest of Pageant's projects was to fund the construction of a boundary wall around the school. After it's completion in July 2003, the wall was decorated with numerous paintings. Many of these were created by Ousman F Sowe, at that time a Grade 9 student.

Kunte Kinte was born in the village of Juffureh, not far from Bakalarr, in 1750. He was taken as a slave to Maryland USA. His story was made famous in the best selling novel and TV programme 'Roots' written by his descendant Alex Haley. Read more about Kunte Kinte. (Note - there are many spelling variations of Kunte Kinte's name. e.g. Kunteh Kinteh, Kunta Kinteh, or even Kinteh Kunteh.)

Update August 2005 - more of Ousman's pictures

Update October 2005 - New Studio

Ousman wrote to Pippa's Mum, telling her that he had been building a small studio for his artwork, and that he has named it the 'JOAN DOBIE ART STUDIO'. Pippa's Mum was really touched by this - a real compliment, she thought. Ousman has also printed T-shirts to advertise his studio.

© All artwork on this page is copyright Ousman F Sowe, 2004, 2005. For further information or to purchase original artworks, please contact Pageant.