When a contestant appeared on the catwalk donning the Kankurang costume during the Miss Gambia 2022 beauty pageant, she sparked heated exchanges, with cultural purists saying the traditional attire should not be worn by women as the regalia is for male circumcision ceremonies.
The costume is part of the Manding or Mande people culture, one of West Africa’s largest ethnic groups. It has often sparked debate on male dominance in cultural practices in the Gambia and Senegal. The Kankurang appears during initiation ceremonies wearing the traditional attire, where circumcised boys are taught cultural practices, including discipline and respect. Gambian commentator on social issues Saikou Camara suggested that Kankurang attire originates from a female tradition that was usurped by the male dominated society.
