It's amazing how much difference a national border can make. The Gambia may be completely enveloped by Senegal but in terms of development, culture and art they are a world apart.
I was honestly shocked by the modern high-rises and ritzy boutiques in this former French colony and impressed by the creativity and skill of the artists here. Although the market is still driven by tourism and batiks are mass-produced, at least here they try to make each one a little unique in it's own way. Many batiks even carry the signature of the artist as a statement of their individuality.
The display can make all the difference and the clean, orderly batik shops in Senegal were a refreshing change from the chaos of Gambian markets.
Art really is a reflection of the country from which it came and the more sophisticated batiks in Senegal makes me wonder why The Gambia has fallen so far behind it's neighbor. Is it the government, the education, the result of French vs. British influence? Who knows?
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