In The Gambia, like many African countries, the baobab tree is full of significance and superstition. This sacred tree is usually called the tree of life. It’s one of the oldest trees in the the world, known to live for thousands of years. Many are of the view that Baobab trees are a symbol of Africa, as they are mostly found in hot regions across the continent.

Stories, myths and proverbs have been written glorifying this beautiful and majestic African tree. “Wisdom is like a baobab tree: no one individual can embrace it,” an African proverb. These amazing trees, also known by its botanical name (- Adansoniadigitata), have trunks that can reach 30m in circumference or more. They are rooted so solidly into the African horizon, they appear invincible.

It’s for this reason the villagers of Tubakata, Kombo East and the country at large are mourning the sudden death of the country’s oldest baobab tree. Last weekend, the villagers woke up to the news that the oldest living Baobab tree in the village had died. The cause of the tree’s death still remained a mystery.

The baobab tree held an enormous amount of historical and cultural significance for the villagers and it had been a meeting point of village life. It was reported that the tree used to be the camping spot for the British administrators during the colonial era. The tree was said to be over 200 years old. The village oral historians had claimed that the British colonialists were once accompanied to the site by the former chief of Kombo Central and pro-independence fighter, Sanjani Bojang of Kembujeh.

The alkalo of the village, Karafa Bojang, said the mystery behind the collapse of the old baobab tree remained unknown adding that any time such an event occurred a “possible natural unforeseen repercussion is expected in the community within a short time.”

“This baobab tree is a significant historic site for the community and the country as well. It’s used to be a camping site for the former British colonial administrators and their local chiefs. What we are praying for now is that may its collapsed bring good fortune to the village and the country as well.”

Fatou Ndow, head teacher of Kindergarten Meschede Day Care Center, said the incident happened when children were away on their weekend break.

However, she disclosed that what surprised the entire community was the fact that the tree fell in the opposite direction of where they were expecting it to fall.

The rate at which these icon African trees have been dying have raised alarm. It has been attributed to climate change. In June 2018, a study of the dying baobab trees was published by the scientific journal Nature Plants. The scientists involved did not know why, but they suspected increased drought and climate change.