Current Time in Banjul
Gambian culture regarding time
Gambian culture regarding time
There is a term "Gambia time"
In Gambia, there is a phrase "Gambia time" which means that people are often late. Being on time is not very important.
Prayer time is the standard of daily life
In Gambia, where Muslims make up the majority, prayer time, which occurs five times a day, is the mainstay of daily life, and work and school schedules are sometimes adjusted accordingly.
Family-first sense of time
Family and family relationships are often prioritized over work, and sudden schedule changes are common. Meetings and work may be postponed due to family gatherings or ceremonial occasions.
Gambian values regarding time
Relationships are more important than time
In Gambia, relationships and trust with others are more important than punctuality. Even if you are late, it is important to show sincerity in your subsequent conversations and behavior.
Flexible sense of time
Rather than sticking to the scheduled time, flexibility in acting according to the situation and atmosphere is valued. There is a cultural background that emphasizes the process and connections with people rather than the result.
It is a virtue to take your time
"Being in a hurry" is not necessarily considered good, and acting calmly is considered polite and wise. This is also related to the mild climate and social structure.
Things about time that foreigners should know when traveling or moving to Gambia
Consider the time of an appointment as a guideline
Appointments with local people are unlikely to proceed on time. Delays of more than an hour are not uncommon, so you need to be prepared to wait to some extent.
Be aware of the opening hours of government offices and public institutions
Although government offices and banks generally open on time, staff may be late, so mornings are a relatively smooth time to respond.
Fridays are especially irregular
Many institutions close early on Friday afternoons for the Muslim congregational prayer (Jum'ah). It is wise to complete formalities and visits in the morning.
Interesting trivia about time in Gambia
Weddings usually start at "undecided" times
Even if the time is written on the invitation, weddings in Gambia usually start 2-3 hours later. Guests also act leisurely, assuming this.
Markets close at a time depending on the weather
Outdoor markets can suddenly close when the weather is bad. Conversely, they can stay open late if the weather is good, so schedules are fluid.
Buses depart when they are full
Minibuses and shared taxis in rural areas do not depart until they are full of passengers, as they do not have timetables. These are typical examples of transportation where you cannot predict the waiting time.