Meaning of word Bolon?
In Gambia a bolong or bolon means a creek, "movable
water" or "tributary" in the Mandinka
language. Many point north or south into Senegal; they
supply fresh water during the rains.
The most famous is Bintang Bolong (different spelling
Bitang or Vintang) the largest tributary of the Gambia
River which flows south east into Senegal. It
rises in the Senegalese region of Kolda. This is part
of the Casamance region, between the states of the Gambia
and Guinea-Bissau. Near the mouth lies Bintang
Bolong Lodge which provides accommodation in Gambia
along the river.
The most famous is Bintang Bolong (different spelling
Bitang or Vintang) the largest tributary of the Gambia
River which flows south east into Senegal. It
rises in the Senegalese region of Kolda. This is part
of the Casamance region, between the states of the Gambia
and Guinea-Bissau. Near the mouth lies Bintang Bolong
Lodge. which provides accommodation in Gambia along
river.
The river's course flows over a distance of about 130
kilometres in a westerly direction and has a width of
approximately 570 meters. At the geographical coordinates
are 13 ° 19 'N, 16 ° 13' W at the mouth, at the Bintang
Point, the water depth is about 5-7 metres deep, and
on the banks are extensive mangrove forests growing
up to 55 feet high.
Historically it marked the border between two kingdoms;
the Mandinka and Foni Kiang. Foni was on the left, and
Kiang on the northern side of the river.
In the 15th century the Portuguese maintained a trading
post at Bintang village located on the river bank a
few km upstream. Later, this post was used by British
merchants.
Further upriver is Santamba another old trading post
which is now just ruins of the old commercial buildings.
Likewise Foni Kansala was a historic place, and today
is where Bwiam is located. |
