The event was tagged ‘ back to Africa, ‘ according to the organisers, because of the fact that in the 70s ‘ return to Africa ‘ is a common slogan. So “as a teenager in the ‘ 70s, we rebel against parents and Western views on Africa is very bad. They think of Africa without the fabric, that Africa fed people; politically they think beautiful white and black people is ugly. So we are children of the 70s kick against this idea and said, ‘ black is beautiful, ‘ from there they began to love the culture and heritage, our structure, dark skin, big nose, hair and lifestyle and above all Africa have the best of everything you can think of. “
On Friday, January 20, 2012 at the official opening event in the village of Batokunku, Minister of the Ministry of tourism and culture, mass Fatou Jobe-Njie, push his collaborators to organisers and joining hands with the service as “the Gambia as you know, has instituted two major international festival, which was held here in the Gambia in biennialyaitu International roots Festival under the scope of the Kanilai International Festival and I, hosted by His Excellency the President of the Republic of the Gambia in his home village of Kanilai. “