On February 23, 2021, The Secretary of Tourism of Guinea Bissau sent the following message to the Balanta B’urassa History and Genealogy Society in America:
“Distinguished greetings,
Excellence,
It was up to me, as the maximum Responsible for this area and, WHEREAS the members of the Society of History and Genealogy Balanta Burassa in the United States of America, are now preparing to return to their origins, from 12 to 15 May and from 7 to 10 June, 2021 for a Welcome Celebration, something unprecedented in the history of our young nation; in this context, we would like to invite Your Excellency Illustrious Siphiwe Baleka, founder, to be present with his members at the referred event, which is of major importance for Guinea-Bissau.
Without another subject at the moment, please accept Excellency, best regards.
High regard
Ms. Nhima Sisse”
ITINERARY
4 days/4 nights in Bissau - $712
2 days/2 nights in Bubaque at Bijagos Islands -$388
4 days/3 nights in Gambia - $790
*FLIGHT and $75 PROCESSING FEE NOT INCLUDED
YOU CAN CHOOSE JUST BISSAU, OR BISSAU AND BUBAQUE OR ALL THREE - BISSAU, BUBAQUE AND GAMBIA!!!
OPTION 1
Day 1 - May 12: BISSAU
Arrival in Bissau at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport. Transport to the Hotel Ledger (4 km). Welcome to the motherland show and informal reception and food at Hotel Ledger.
Day 2 - May 13: Bissau and Officials
7:00 am - Breakfast
8:30 am - 11:30 am - Bissau City Tour. - We will visit the statue of Honorio Barreto, then we move to Central Market and work up Mao de Timba “Hand of Timba” Monument commemorating the Pidjiguiti Massacre which would inspire Almicar Cabral to fight for liberation. Then we move to Bissau Velho ( former Portuguese’s architecture center). After that we go to Amura to visit Amilcar Cabral and other leader camp museum. We travel in a 35 seat air-conditioned van.
11:30 am - Lunch at Calistro Restaurant in downtown Bissau.
Afternoon - meeting with His Excellency Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of Guinea Bissau and His Excellency Nuno Gomes Nabiam, Prime Minister of Guinea Bissau.
7:30 to 9:30 pm - Dinner at Restaurant Dona Fernanda in Santa Luzia.
DAY 3 - May 14: CACHEU-CANCHUNGO AND BASSAREL KINGDOM
6:30 to 7:30 am - Breakfast at Hotel Ledger
8:00 am - Depart to Cacheu for a full day. Travel time to Cacheu is 2 hours and 15 minutes and the road is very bad. Be prepared for a bumpy ride! Cacheu town is one of earliest Portuguese settlement in Africa and the first navigators arrived in early 15° century. We will visit the Memorial Da Escravatura E Do Trafico Negeiro (Slave Museum). After Cacheu we will drive to the sacred Kingdom of Bassarel to be witness of MANJACO tradition, culture and history. By chance, the king of village will guide us to the sacred forest palace.
Lunch and rest - Canchungo Restaruant Silveste
Return to Hotel Ledger in Bissau.
7:00 pm - Dinner at Restaurant Calliste
Day 4 - May 15: Balanta Festival
6:30 am to 7:45 am - breakfast
8:00 am - Depart for Balanta festival in Bissun Naga. Another 2 hour journey (79 km) but a great way to see the country!
10:00 am to 7:00 pm - 1st Annual Bissum-Naga Cultural Festival 2021: Rescuing and Enhancing the Cultural Identity of the Nagas sponsored by the Association of Children, Descendants and Friends of Bissum-Naga. The festival will promote the art and culture of the Balanta Nagas.
7:00 pm -. Return to the Hotel Ledger for final night.
TOTAL COST FOR OPTION 1
OPTION 1:1 SINGLE ROOM (with meals, transport and tax) TOTAL: $712
OPTION 1:2 DOUBLE ROOM (with meals, transport and tax) TOTAL: -$788
OPTION 1:3 SUITE (with meals, transport and tax) TOTAL: $1,084
Day 5, May 16 and Day 6, May 17: Our visit to the Bijagos Islands
Day 5 - May 16 : Our departure to Archipelago will depend on sea’s high tide
We will have a full day to discovery the Archipelago. During our sail we will be in Marathon of Dolphin, which Is covered in a lush green forest in an exceptional nature reserve inhabited by enchanting birds which are part of unique wildlife specific to the remote ecosystem.
In the Afternoon will take a walk to explore the Rubane Island. It a haft day depending the time of arrive according to sea level. Lunch and dinner is at Restaurant Ponta Anchaca, Rubane Island.
Day 6 - May 17: BUBAQUE-SOGA
- Breakfast then Short trip to visit Bubaque, capital of Bijagos region.
- Going to SOGA Island.
- Lunch at Ponta Anchaca.
- Return to Bubaque to attend traditional dance of young boys and girls called in CREOL DANÇA DE BACA BRUTA (BULL DANCE).
- Dinner and Overnight at PONTA ANCHACA.
Day 7 May 18: RUBANE
Full day free enjoying Sea and sun of Rubane. All meals at the hotel
Day 8 May 19: BACK TO BISSAU
- Breakfast
- Sailing back to Bissau and hotel to prepare the way back
- Transfer to airport.
TOTAL COST FOR OPTION 2:
$650 (includes food, accommodation, guides, transport and taxes)
THE ITINERARY FOR JUNE 7-15 FOLLOWS THE SAME FORMAT.
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WE ARE NOW PLANNING THE EVENT FOR MAY 12-15 AND JUNE 7-10, 2021
The event is for all descendants of people of Guinea Bissau: Balanta, Fulani, Mandinga, Papel, Manjaco, Beafada, Mancanha, Bijago, Felupe, Mansoaca, and others.
It is important, for the long-term benefit of the people of Guinea Bissau, that we plan a successful launch event that can be the solid foundation of developing great relations between the people on both sides of the Atlantic. Instead of individuals returning in an uncoordinated, random fashion, we are asking everyone to plan their return as part of this event. See the proposed itinerary below.