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Africa Tur → Reference materials → WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA → Population and culture of SenegalPopulation and culture of Senegal
The territory of Senegal has long been inhabited by the peoples of the Negroid race.
The modern peoples of Senegal differ markedly from each other both in terms of social organization and farming methods. The Wolof and Tukuler, whose ethnic territories lay closer to the trade routes of the river basin. Niger, already in the early Middle Ages, a class society with a caste hierarchy was formed. This was facilitated by the gradual Islamization. The toukoulers living in the valley of Senegal, from year to year cultivating floodplain plots, have developed private ownership of land, rarely observed in Tropical Africa. Rainfed agriculture among the Tukuler, as well as among the Wolof and Mandingo, was based on the fire shifting system and communal land ownership. These agricultural peoples are still almost not engaged in cattle breeding.
The process of developing commodity-money relations and the disintegration of the village community captured the Wolof and Tukuler more than other peoples of Senegal. Wolof and tukuler are numerous in the cities, where they play a leading role in the political and cultural life of the country.
The Serer and Diola farmers, who were close to the Wolof in terms of their language, lagged behind their neighbors in terms of social organization. By the beginning of colonization, the diola were a group of tribal associations that lived in isolation in the forests of the lower Casamance. The Serer were in a transitional stage from a tribal to a neighboring community. Both did not accept Islam and retained traditional beliefs. During the colonial period, the cash crop of peanuts among the Serer and Diol spread much more slowly than among the Wolof. At the same time, the farming methods of the Serer and Diol are better adapted to the characteristics of their habitat. Wolof shifting agriculture is entirely based on the use of natural soil fertility and its natural restoration. The Serer tillage system, which combines the beginnings of crop rotation and the application of organic fertilizers to the soil by grazing (unlike the Wolof, the Serer keep cattle), represents a certain step in the intensification of agriculture. As for the diol, since ancient times they have been engaged in rice sowing along the river valleys, having achieved considerable perfection in artificial irrigation.
Mandingo farmers who entered the territory of modern Senegal in the XIII-XIV centuries. during the period of prosperity of the ancient state of Mali, according to the methods of economy and social organization, they are close to the Wolof, but belong to a different linguistic subgroup of the Niger-Kordofan family.
Fulbe herders, who appeared within Senegal in the 10th-11th centuries, later split into several ethnic groups. Conquered in the 16th century river valley Senegal, part of the Fulani moved to settled life, forming a layer of nobility who collected tribute from the indigenous population; the other part penetrated into the coastal strip into the territory inhabited by the Wolof, and assimilated with the latter, retaining their main occupation. The Fulbe Casamance, mingling with the Mandingo, switched to settled agriculture. The Fulani, who live in the Ferlo desert and are still engaged in semi-nomadic cattle breeding, have changed less than others.
During the colonial period, a significant stratum of Europeans appeared in Senegal, who lived mainly in Dakar, and Lebanese, who were engaged in petty trade in the cities and villages of western Senegal.
Over the past quarter century, the country's population has more than doubled. In the 50s, the annual population growth of Senegal exceeded 5%, mainly due to migration from neighboring more economically backward countries. In addition to immigrants, tens of thousands of otkhodniks from Mali, Guinea, and Mauritania rushed to Senegal every year to work on peanut plantations. After the collapse of French West Africa, the influx of migrants to Senegal declined sharply, at the same time, the emigration of Senegalese to Europe in search of work increased.
Internal migration of the population - from one part of the country to another - is associated with uneven development of regions. From economically backward regions (the valley of the Senegal River, the eastern part of the country), migrants are sent in search of money income to the area of peanut production and to the cities. Thus, the concentration of the population in the western part of the interfluve of Senegal and the Gambia, which was formed even in the pre-colonial period under the influence of natural differences, is preserved.
Overwhelmingly, the cities of Senegal emerged as centers of colonization in the areas of peanut production. In the 1960s, more than 1/5 of the country's population lived in cities with a population of more than 20,000 people.
The economic center and capital of the country is Dakar, where about 798.7 thousand people live (with suburbs), that is, almost 15% of the total population. Hypertrophy
Dakar in relation to the whole country is connected with the fact that during the colonial period it played the role of the economic and administrative center of all French West Africa, and in subsequent years it was in it that the majority of industrial and other enterprises were concentrated. Significantly inferior to Dakar in terms of population and variety of economic functions is a group of medium-sized cities in Senegal - Kaolak, Thies, Rufisk, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor, Diourbel - with a population of more than 20 thousand people. They developed as commercial, transport and administrative centers with the beginnings of industry, serving the surrounding areas. The group of small towns is formed by cities with a population of 5 to 20 thousand people, which developed during the colonial period as purely local trade and transport centers.
With limited local demand for labor, a steady increase in migration from rural areas to cities has created a stagnant overpopulation in the latter. As a result, in cities, especially in Dakar, tens of thousands of people live on odd jobs.
The peoples of Senegal have rich cultural traditions. From generation to generation they pass on their oral creativity - tales, fables, songs full of wisdom, kindness, etc. fantasy. Its bearers and keepers are folk storytellers - griots. Folklore is reflected in the works of contemporary talented writers.
In art and literature, the democratic current is becoming stronger and stronger. Tales of Birago Diop, poems by David Diop, novels by Semben Usman are dedicated to ordinary workers - peasants, workers, artisans, their plight and the struggle for their rights. A number of works published in Russian. Senegalese painting is gaining more and more popularity. The paintings of the young artist Mustafa Wada were exhibited in France, Spain, and the USSR.
National cinematography is emerging in the country. Films by Semben Ousmane, Ababakar Samba, Polen Vieira are devoted to the actual problems of the country's development, often being sharply satirical. They have received wide recognition at many international film festivals, including those in Moscow and Tashkent. After the declaration of independence of the country, its capital Dakar turns into a cultural center, the significance of which goes far beyond the borders of Senegal.
Socially, the population of Senegal is heterogeneous. It is dominated by the peasantry; it consists of several groups located at different levels of the social ladder. A significant number of peasants are semi-communal, often united by state marketing cooperatives. The other group is made up of hired agricultural workers, many of whom have only seasonal work. A stratum of prosperous peasants using hired labor is growing. Large feudal lords in the person of marabouts, the spiritual leaders of Muslim sects, have significant political influence in the country.
Wage labor in the country employs 130-150 thousand people, of which 55-60% are industrial workers. Most of the professional industrial workers are concentrated in enterprises in the Dakar and Thies area.
A stratum of the bourgeoisie formed in the cities. The largest part of it is made up of small traders and entrepreneurs. Over the past 15 years, the "bureaucratic" bourgeoisie, consisting of various administrators and officials, has grown in numbers.
The leading bourgeois circles of the country are striving to consolidate their political influence. Their official doctrine was the theories of "African socialism" and "Negritude", most fully developed by the JI. S. Senghor. These theories absolutize the originality of African culture, the way of life and the psychological make-up of Africans, and propagate the "special Senegalese" path to socialism. In their practical activities, the ruling circles maintain close ties with the imperialist bourgeoisie, attract foreign capital into the country and encourage private national enterprise.
The culture of Senegal is a wonderful mixture of French cultural traditions and traditional African culture, namely the culture of the Wolof people. Another factor influencing the culture of Senegal is the religious practices of the inhabitants of the country.
Art of Senegal
Arts and crafts in Senegal have centuries-old traditions. These include weaving, embroidery, pottery, jewelry making from various metals such as steel, iron, bronze, gold, silver and copper, or even wood and beads, seeds and clay. Other popular art forms are wood carving, mask carving, glass painting, and sculpting statues from materials such as wood and stone.
Funeral traditions of Senegal
In Senegal, after death, the body must be buried within 6 hours of death, but if it is late in the day, it may be moved to the next day.
The organization of the funeral is carried out by family members or respected members of the community who are well versed in the necessary rituals. The body is washed and rubbed with perfume, then it is wrapped in seven meters of cloth. Percale fabric is simply a tightly woven, plain weave fabric with a fabric density of at least 200. While the natives of the country receive this treatment, Westerners are usually placed in a coffin and dressed in Western clothing.
Then the body will be taken to the mosque for prayer. If there is no possibility of transportation to the mosque, then the deceased remains there in the house until he is delivered to the place of burial. When the time for burial comes, the men take the body and carry it to the grave, while the women stay with the other mourners.
After the burial, the Kola nuts are distributed to the mourners and the food is usually prepared. Visitors pay tribute to the mourners and give money to the family to help pay for funeral expenses.
Women must publicly lament funerals in Senegal.
After the funeral, the widow must be isolated for four and a half months, during which she can do nothing to make herself look good, and will pray for the deceased. This means that if she is pregnant, her husband will know that the child is from him. If a woman worked, her work is protected by law during this time. Widowers do not have to isolate themselves in the same way, although they look dreary and gloomy for several months.
Music of Senegal
The main musical genre of Senegal is called "sabar", it is always accompanied by dances. Moreover, most of the country's musical traditions are based on dance, in the sense that they are created for dancing. Other styles of music are "nguel" and "wango". Popular musical instruments of the country are different types of drums, for example: "neunde", "thiol", "djembe", "kalabas", and "riti". In addition to the above, a xylophone-like instrument called the "balafon" is also popular.
Sandaga Madness Masks
The largest market in Dakar, Senegal's capital, is called Sandaga Madness -- aptly named for its chaotic atmosphere. The three-story market is a big tourist mass, so beware of pickpockets and scammers. Inside the market, you can find traditional African masks, when you find them, haggle - this is normal practice in most markets in Senegal. These masks can be bought at a discount as they age, and manufacturers will expose new masks to the sun to impress with age. If you see masks at the market entrance, keep walking.
Details Category: West African countries Posted on 03/06/2015 17:49 Views: 1393Official name - Republic of Senegal. The name of the country comes from the Senegal River, one of the two largest rivers with a constant flow.
Senegal borders Mauritania, Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Inside the territory of Senegal is the state of the Gambia, which stretches like a ribbon from the Atlantic Ocean deep into Senegal for about 300 km. In the west, Senegal is washed by the Atlantic Ocean.
State symbols
Flag- is a rectangular panel with an aspect ratio of 2:3, consisting of three vertical equal stripes: green, gold and red. A green five-pointed star is placed in the center of the golden stripe. In practice, instead of the gold stripe, yellow is used in most cases.
Green, yellow and red are the main Pan-African colors. Green is the color of the Prophet for Muslims; for Christians - a symbol of hope, for animists - a symbol of fertility. Gold is a sign of wealth. This is the goal of the Senegalese nation. Gold corresponds to yellow, the color of art and writing, the color of the mind. Red is the color of blood, life, the memory of the sacrifices suffered by the Senegalese nation, as well as the ardent desire and strength of action for development.
The five points of the star symbolize the knowledge of Senegal on the five continents. It symbolizes the sky and high spiritual aspirations. Flag adopted 20 August 1960
Coat of arms- in the coat of arms of Senegal (as well as on the flag) there are pan-African colors: red, green and yellow. The ribbon is inscribed with the national motto in French: "One people, one goal, one faith." The green star at the top is a symbol of unity and openness, readiness for union.
The lion on the coat of arms symbolizes presidential power, the baobab is a symbol of the territory of Senegal. The wavy line symbolizes the Senegal River.
Coat of arms adopted in 1960
State structure
Form of government- a mixed republic (a form of government between the presidential and parliamentary republics).
head of state The president is elected by popular vote for a term of 5 years. The President may be elected to this post no more than twice. He is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He appoints the prime minister.
Current president Maki Sall
The first president of independent Senegal was Leopold Sedar Senghor(1960-1980), Senegalese poet and philosopher.
Head of the government- Prime Minister.
Official language- French. Local languages spoken.
Capital and largest city- Dakar.
Territory- 196,722 km².
Administrative division– 14 regions, which consist of departments.
Population– 13 300 410 people Ethnic composition: 20 ethnic groups, the most numerous of which are the Wolof (43%), Fulbe (24%) and Serer (15%). White (mostly French) about 1%. The urban population is 42%.
Religion- Muslims 94%, Christians 5%, indigenous beliefs 1%. Most Christians are Catholics, there are Baptists, Adventists, Pentecostals. This is one of the most Islamized states on the African continent. Muslims practice Sunni Islam. But the country as a whole is characterized by religious tolerance.
Currency- CFA franc (African financial community). Monetary unit of eight African states included in the Franc Currency Zone.
Economy- underdeveloped. After gaining independence, the European population was expelled from the country, few qualified specialists remained - industry was destroyed; the same thing happened with agriculture. Main natural resources: deposits of oil, iron ore, phosphorites, copper, gold. The country actually lives off foreign humanitarian aid.
Agriculture: peanut, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton. Livestock (camels, goats, cattle, horses, sheep, donkeys and pigs) and poultry are bred, fishery is carried out (catch of shrimps, lobsters, mackerel, sardinella, sardines, tuna).Industry: processing of agricultural products and fish, extraction of phosphates, as well as iron ore, zirconium and gold.Export: fish, peanuts, phosphates, cotton.Import: food, manufactured goods, fuel. The country fully meets its needs for electricity.
Developed transport network. The main mode of transport is automobile. Railway network. The seaport of Dakar is one of the largest in the world. The Casamance, Salum and Senegal rivers are navigable. The merchant fleet has about 200 ships. There are 20 airports and airstrips in the country. International airport - Dakar-Yof im. L. Sengora.
Education– general literacy of the population is low: 51% of men, 29% of women. Compulsory is 6 years of primary education, from the age of 7. Secondary education (7 years) from the age of 13, takes place in two stages: 4 and 3 years. Less than 50% of children complete primary school.
Two universities: them. Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar (opened in 1949) and the University of Gaston Berger in Saint Louis (founded in 1990), 5 colleges located in the capital and Thies.
Sport The most popular sport is football. The national sport of Senegal is Senegalese wrestling. This is a mixture of traditional wrestling and fisticuffs.
There is no wrestling on the ground. Traditionally, this sport has been a demonstration of the skills and strength of a young man in order to attract a couple. Marabouts - leaders of mystical Muslim communities - create amulets and talismans for the happiness of wrestlers and cover their bodies with drugs and milk to ward off evil spirits.
Before the fight
Dakar has long been a traditional place to finish one of the main rally-raids of the planet Paris-Dakar. Since 2008, due to the terrorist threat, the race has been moved to South America.
Armed forces- recruited from the age of 18. Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force.
Symbol of Senegal is baobab. Climbing these trees is prohibited. Senegal is famous for fabrics with original patterns, which are readily purchased by many tourists. Traditional wooden masks are considered the best Senegalese souvenir.
Nature
Most of the territory is covered with savanna vegetation (acacia, baobab, bearded man, elephant grass, bamboo, ronje palm, tamarind).
There is an Arabian acacia that gives gum arabic resin. The northern regions are the Sahel zone (desert savannah). In the southwestern part of the country, mixed deciduous-evergreen forests have been preserved, in which akazha (mahogany), bavolnik, karite (oil tree), creepers, doum palm, and carob grow.
shea butter(shi) reaches 10-20 m in height, able to live for several centuries. It begins to bloom with fragrant brown flowers at the age of 20 and actively bears fruit at the age of 50, maintaining a high yield for more than 100 years. In Western countries, shea butter is mainly used in cosmetics. In Africa, it is widely used for food and medicinal purposes and is the main source of dietary fat.
Of the large animals, there are antelopes, cheetahs, hyenas, wild boars, leopards and jackals. Hares, monkeys, and many rodents are common.
Senegalese Galago(order of primates). The animals are painted in gray, inconspicuous color. Galagos are jumpers, so their hind legs are longer than their front legs, and their fluffy tail is 1.2 times longer than their body. The animals make jumps up to 1-1.5 m long, the tail plays the role of a balancer. Galago has a very well developed sense of smell. Their large eyes help them see in the dark. The auricles are very large and can move independently of each other, capturing even very quiet sound. Galagos can fold their ears when necessary to avoid damaging them.
Birds: storks, geese, vultures, bustards, cranes, waders, partridges, eagles, parrots, hornbills, ostriches, weavers, ducks, flamingos, guinea fowls.
Parakeet Senegalese: the length of his body is 22-25 cm; weight 125-170 g. Plumage color is mostly green. They live in southwestern and western Africa from Guinea to Cameroon. They inhabit open wooded areas and savannahs, and are found up to an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. It feeds on fruits and flowers. It often feeds on cereals, so farmers consider it a pest.
This parrot can be kept at home. He is unpretentious, very quick-witted and agile. Quickly gets used to the person. Learns individual words (about 10) and small phrases, you can learn to do various tricks. Under natural conditions, parrots live an average of 25-30 years, in captivity they lived up to 50 years.
Reptiles: monitor lizards, cobras and pythons. Insects: mosquitoes, tsetse flies, locusts, termites.
There are 6 national parks in the country. In terms of their number, Senegal occupies one of the first places in Africa. A trip to any national park guarantees vivid impressions. You can watch elephants, buffaloes, hippos in their natural habitat.
There are a lot of fish in coastal waters and rivers: sharks, dorado, mackerel, sea bass, sardinella, herring, catfish, tuna, octopus and crustacean molluscs.
Minerals - diamonds, bauxites, iron, gold, limestone, ilmenite, copper, marble, rock salt, oil, natural gas, rutile, titanium, peat, phosphates, zirconium.
Lake Retba
The main Senegalese natural monuments include the salt lake Retba, located 40 km from Dakar. The pink color of the water is due to the vital activity of cyanobacteria that feed on salt. Within one day, depending on the lighting, the water can change its color from soft pink to purple and red. The water in Lake Retba is incredibly salty, the salt concentration is 380 g / l, which is one and a half times higher than in the famous Dead Sea.
There are no algae or fish in this lake, and boats carry local residents from shore to shore, miners of salt, which covers the bottom of the lake in a thick layer. On the shore of the lake there is a whole village in which workers and traders live, representatives of the Wolof people, the largest ethnic group in Senegal.
Rubbing their bodies with a special oil that protects against the damaging effects of salt water that corrodes the skin, salt miners spend the whole day on the lake. They dive to the bottom, blindly fill the baskets with salt, then unload it into the boat and take it to the shore. There, the salt is heaped into heaps, allowed to dry, and then washed and sorted out, cleared of silt and sand. In the sun, the salt from the Pink Lake becomes snow-white, and this is how it is taken for sale.
It is impossible to drown in Lake Retba: water saturated with salt keeps you on the surface, preventing you from sinking.
African (narrow-billed) spoonbill- a species of legged birds of the spoonbill genus of the ibis family. A long-legged bird about 90 cm high, with a wing length of 36-40 cm. The color is mostly white. The legs and "face" are red. The African spoonbill has a characteristic reddish beak with a thickening at the end. Chicks are born with a small beak, which gradually grows and takes on the shape of a shoulder blade.
culture
Traditional dwellings of several types. In the western regions, square-shaped adobe huts are erected under a 4-pitched grass roof. In the east, round dwellings made of woven branches, covered with a cone-shaped grass roof, as well as rectangular huts with sheds, are common.
Residents of the south build mostly round, rectangular or square adobe houses, often hand-rolled blocks of banko, a mixture of clay and straw, act as building materials. There are also oval-shaped dwellings surrounded by a veranda. Their walls are decorated with paintings in red and blue.
Mosques have a special architecture.
In modern cities, houses are built of brick and reinforced concrete structures. The business districts of cities are built up with high-rise buildings.
Fine Arts and Crafts
The origin of fine arts began BC: in sand mounds of the 8th-6th centuries. BC e. ceramics, weapons, jewelry made of gold and metals were found. A rich collection of African traditional art is located in the Museum of the Fundamental Institute of Black Africa, founded in 1936 in Dakar.
Artists of Senegal: Amadou Yero Ba, Papa Sidi Diop, Ibou Diouf, Ibrahim Ndiaye, Papa Ibra Tall.
Papa Ibra Tall(b. 1935) - Senegalese painter, graphic artist, sculptor, master of arts and crafts. Studied in France. From 1960 he headed the section of plastics at the School of Fine Arts in Dakar, from 1965 he directed an experimental workshop in Thies near Dakar. His works are created in the tradition of the folk art of Senegal.
Pope Ibra Tall "Portrait" (1950-1960s)
Of the crafts, pottery, wood carving (furniture and household utensils), leather production, weaving of ritual masks, brightly colored belts, bags and mats, weaving and carpet weaving are common. Jewelry craft is developed, silver and gold products of the masters of the Wolof people are especially popular.
Literature
Based on the traditions of oral art (myths, songs, proverbs and fairy tales) of local peoples.
The modern literature of Senegal develops in French and the local languages of the peoples.
The first literary work - the story "Strength - Kindness" by Bakari Diallo was published in 1926.
The formation of national literature is closely connected with creativity Leopold Sedar Senghor, one of the founders in the 1930s. negritude movement (proclaiming the identity and unity of the Negro-African culture).
Poets of Senegal: Amadou Mustafa Wade, Lamine Diakhate, Amadou Traore Diop, David Diop, Ousmane Semben, Malik Fall.
The founder of Senegalese prose is Ousmane D. Sauce. His first novel, Karim, was published in 1935.
Music
It was formed on the basis of the music of local peoples, and also experienced a significant influence of Arab and European musical culture. In the second half of the XX century. influenced by American pop music, new styles appeared and spread widely.
Musical instruments: a variety of balafons, drums, bells, xylophones, single-string musical bows, rattles, horns, rattles and flutes. Singing is developed, songs are distinguished by a variety of genres. Particularly stands out ritual singing, which is accompanied by music and dances.
Modern performers: Abdu Gite Sek, Didier Avadi (leader of the Positive Black Sull rap group), Baaba Maal (leader of the Daande Lenol group (Voice of the People), etc.
Baaba Maal
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Senegal
Island of Gore
Located 2.5 km south of the port of Dakar. The island is a tourist site, it is forbidden to use cars. A ferry service connects Goré with Dakar.
For Europeans, Goré was discovered by the Portuguese navigator Dinis Dias in 1444, after which the island went down in history as one of the largest centers of the slave trade in the 15th-19th centuries. under the tutelage of the Portuguese, Dutch, British and French. Currently, its population is over a thousand people.
Niokolo-Koba National Park
One of the oldest in Africa. Area 9,130 km². The national park is known for its wildlife: 20 species of amphibians, 60 species of fish, 38 species of reptiles and about 80 species of mammals live on its territory.
Buffalos, hippos, western elands, elephants, lions, chimpanzees, waterbucks, duikers, red colobuses, leopards, wild dogs.
western eland- African antelope. Currently preserved only in Senegal.
Of the birds, one can name the Arabian great bustard, the martial eagle, the crowned crane, the buffoon eagle, the Kaffir horned raven, the widow duck. In total, about 330 species of birds live here.
Eagle buffoon is a bird of the Accipitridae family. It is the only kind. The nest is located on the branches of an acacia or baobab tree. The nest diameter reaches 50-70 cm.
Juj Ornithological Reserve
Senegal National Park in the Senegal Delta. The park is equipped with more than 10 observation platforms for bird watching. Was founded in 1971.
The fauna of the park is 3 million waterfowl, which are the main reason for the creation of the park. Migratory birds include common teal, shoveler, turukhtan and black-tailed godwit. Flamingos and pink pelicans, white-faced whistling duck, red whistling duck, clawed goose, red heron, common night heron and many others nest in the park.
spurred goose
The park's mammals include the warthog and the West African manatee. There are several species of crocodiles and gazelles.
Island city of Saint-Louis
Located on a narrow island (only 2 km long and 400 m wide) on the Senegal River, 25 km from its mouth. Until 1902 it was the capital of the French colony of Senegal. The historical and cultural capital of the country. The traditional building, despite its dilapidation, retains a touch of picturesqueness.
Stone circles in Senegambia
Stone circles over the graves were found on the border of Gambia and Senegal. They were built from the 8th to the 12th centuries. at the site of an earlier burial. Each ring consists of 8-14 pillars of laterite (a surface formation rich in iron and aluminum in hot and humid tropical regions) 100-250 cm high. At least 1000 such stone rings are known, a special museum is dedicated to them.
Salum River Delta National Park
Area 76000 ha. Founded in 1976. Located in the delta of the Salum River at its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean.
The park is inhabited by birds: royal tern, common flamingo, common spoonbill, redthroat, turnstone, oystercatcher.
red-throated- a species of bird of the snipe family. The size of a starling. Lives for over 15 years.
Bassari, Fula and Bedik cultural landscapes
African ethnic societies. The traditional craft of the Bassari people is blacksmithing. But now blacksmithing is not so widespread, the main Bassari crafts are pottery and wood or ivory carving.
Fula
In the past - nomadic pastoralists. They rarely mix with local settled farmers. Usually and now they are nomadic shepherds, as well as traders and farmers. Many Fula live in urban centers.
Other attractions and tourism
Foreign tourists are attracted to Senegal by the sandy beaches of the ocean coast, historical monuments associated with the era of the slave trade, and the original culture of local peoples. Tourism in Senegal is developing dynamically.
Sights in Dakar: the presidential palace, the Museum of African Art, the Great Mosque in Medina, the Catholic Cathedral, the city market.
Other attractions: forts of the 17th century, the Maritime Museum, the House of Slaves with slave chambers, ancient religious buildings of 2-3 thousand BC. e., a mosque with an 87-meter minaret in the city of Tuba, national parks.
The main national dish is tiebu diene (rice with fish).
Story
Around 500, two ethnic groups appeared on the territory of modern Senegal: the Wolof and the Serer. In the ninth century In the valley of the Senegal River, another ethnic group settled - the Toucouleurs, which dominated until the 15th century.
Approximately from the XI century. Islam, brought by the Arab and Berber conquerors, becomes the dominant religion.
Europeans began to appear on the coast of Senegal in the 15th century. The first were the Portuguese sailors of the Dinis Dias expedition. In 1633 English and French merchants appeared. In the XVII-XVIII centuries. the export of slaves is becoming increasingly important. African rulers at the head of their squads raided their neighbors in order to capture prisoners for their subsequent sale to Europeans.
colonial period
From the middle of the 17th to the end of the 19th century. French colonization of West Africa took place. In 1638, the trading port of Saint-Louis was officially founded at the mouth of the Senegal River. It was a trading post and a transit point for the French fleet.
From 1693 to 1814, France and England disputed control of the coast of Senegal. In August 1803, a civilian unit was created similar to the National Guard in France and called the Volunteers of Senegal. But in 1809, the garrison of Saint-Louis capitulated to superior British forces, in 1814 France left Saint-Louis and the island of Giers under the Paris agreements, but in 1817 again occupied these lands.
In the second half of the XIX century. The French began to develop the interior of Senegal. In 1848 slavery was abolished in Senegal.
The French exported peanuts from Senegal, gold was mined in small quantities. In 1885, the Saint-Louis-Dakar railway was built. In 1895, Senegal became part of French West Africa, and in 1902, Dakar became the administrative center of this colony, and some residents of Dakar began to receive French citizenship.
Educational institutions were created to train blacks for the colonial administration of all of French West Africa. Parts of the French army began to form from the African population - battalions of Senegalese riflemen. In 1909-1923. The Dakar-Mali railway line was built. In 1959-1960s. Senegal was merged with Mali. In 1946, all residents of Senegal received French citizenship, and the region itself became an overseas territory of France.
Independence
After World War II, the national liberation movement intensified in the country. November 25, 1958 Senegal was proclaimed a self-governing republic within the French Community. In 1959, Senegal and French Sudan (Mali) united to form the Federation of Mali, which gained independence. The federation collapsed due to political conflicts, after which, on August 20, 1960, Senegal and French Sudan (renamed Mali) declared their independence.
In 1982, together with the Gambia, a nominal Senegambia confederation was formed, but real integration did not work, and in 1989 it collapsed.
The movement of democratic forces of Casamance, which declared itself in 1982, continues to provide armed resistance. The Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance is a political party that leads an armed struggle in the Casamance region in southern Senegal. In it, most of the fighters are from the representatives of the Diola people. In Senegal, diola are a minority (only 6% of the population), most of them live in Casamance. Casamance's fertile lands are an important economic component of the economy of Senegal.
Senegal has a long history of participating in peacekeeping missions.
The state is located in the extreme west of Africa. In the north it borders with Mauritania, in the east - with Mali, in the south - with Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. From the west it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The contours of the country resemble the head of a lion with its mouth open.
The ethnic composition is quite complex. The majority of the population is the agricultural peoples of the Wolof (43%), Serer (19%), Diola (7%), Malinke and Soninke and others. Massive migrations of the rural population to cities are typical, as well as migrations from the northern desert regions to the south, including to Casamance. Many young men from the eastern regions of the country traditionally leave to work in France and other European countries.
The best sandy beaches on the Atlantic coast, a combination of African exoticism with a high level of service, a developed road and hotel infrastructure make Senegal very attractive for tourists.
Subequatorial, in the north - transitional to tropical. The air temperature in different seasons ranges from +23°C to +28°C. The rainy season lasts from July to October. The wettest area is the south of the Atlantic coast, where up to 2000 mm of precipitation falls per year. The amount of precipitation can change dramatically from year to year (in the Dakar region - 235-1485 mm). From November to April, the dry northeast trade wind from the Sahara blows, and from May to October, the humid southwest monsoon brings heavy rains.
Senegal money
1 UAH = 1.22 CFASenegalese are friendly and affable, have a well-developed self-esteem. With all this, the country is home to many refugees from neighboring countries, who form the basis of beggars annoying tourists.
The locals are very kind to the baobab. These trees are even protected by law and their cutting down, as well as climbing on them without special permission from the authorities, is prohibited.
The traditional dish of the inhabitants of Senegal and the Gambia is maffe, a kind of African peanut stew or stew. In the preparation of muffe, lamb, lamb meat, fish (fresh or dried) can be used; there is also a vegetarian muffe. Muffe according to the classic recipe is baked in a special pit lined with sago leaves.
The menu of Senegalese restaurants around the world always has chicken or fish yassa. In order for the meat to be tender, it is marinated all night. The composition of the marinade necessarily includes vegetable oil (mainly peanut oil), lemon juice, onion and mustard. Rice is an essential part of many dishes. It is soaked in water, dried and ground in the hands or with a bottle.
Sights of Senegal
Dakar
Dakar is a large commercial and tourist center of West Africa, which has a fairly even and cool climate. This is quite a modern city, which bears little resemblance to most of the capitals of the region and at the same time retains the flavor of the local culture. The central part of Dakar lies on a small hill, bounded by three main streets and full of shops and restaurants. Here are the Independence Square, the City Hall (1914), the business district, the marina and many institutions.
The main attractions of the capital are the Art, History and Maritime Museums, as well as the IFAN Museum on Soweto Square with a rich collection of masks, musical instruments and sculptures from all over West Africa. The snow-white Presidential Palace, built in 1906 on the ocean, is surrounded by a beautiful park. Not far from the center rises the Grande Mosque, illuminated at night (Great Mosque, 1964).
Island of Gore
Gorée Island is located off the coast of Senegal, opposite Dakar. In the XV-XX centuries, the largest slave trade center on the African coast was located here. It was owned alternately by the Portuguese, Dutch, English and French, which was reflected in the architecture, characterized by strong contrasts between the gloomy quarters of slaves and the graceful buildings of slave traders. Today, the city serves as a reminder of the worst aspects of human nature, inherent in all peoples and races, regardless of skin color and wealth.
Saint Louis
One of the most interesting cities on the continent, the oldest city in the country and the first European settlement in West Africa. Founded in 1659 on an island strategically located near the mouth of the Senegal River, between the mainland and the Langhe-de-Berbéry peninsula.
Today, Saint-Louis spreads freely on the coast and adjacent islands, connected to each other by small bridges. In the island part of the city, a large number of old colonial-style mansions with wrought iron bars and carved balconies and verandas have been preserved. Tourists must visit the old, more like a fort, Governor's Palace (XVIII century), the Art Nouveau Cathedral (1828, the oldest church in Senegal) and the unique Muslim cemetery, all places between the graves on which are hung with fishing nets . The Faiderbe Bridge, which connects the island and the mainland of the city, is a real piece of engineering art. Created for installation on the Danube, it ended up in Africa by some unknown means and was erected in its current place in 1897. The peninsula of Lange de Berberi is occupied by fishing artels, which form the picturesque quarter of Get-N'Dar, and numerous tourist centers.
Due to the large number of nationalities and tribes living in Senegal, it is simply not possible to remember all the customs and traditions of the local peoples. But due to the fact that the local peoples for the most part belong to similar language groups, communication with them is usually not difficult, especially if you speak French with them.
Senegalese are generally very friendly and welcoming. These are very beautiful people (Senegalese women are considered the most beautiful in Africa) with a well-developed self-esteem. With all this, there are many refugees from neighboring countries living in the country, so there are many people from Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Sierra Leone and other African countries in the cities, who form the basis of beggars that annoy tourists so much. Since the view of a European who is not accustomed to the local phenotype is unlikely to distinguish a representative of the Fulbe people from the Wolof or Serrer, the native Senegalese are often credited with the features of other peoples of Africa.
When communicating with local residents, it should be borne in mind that they have a whole system of signs of attention and emphasizing the social status of the interlocutor, as well as a clear differentiation of society according to genus or caste. Religious norms also play an important role. Usually, no major decision is made without the advice of an imam or "marabu" ("saint," a title usually worn by preachers and elderly theologians). Ignorance of these norms when communicating can seriously offend a local resident, so when visiting a local village or private home, it is recommended to politely ask an elder or school teacher to act as a guide or interpreter. When meeting with local residents, you should politely greet them, ask about their affairs and present a small souvenir. The Senegalese themselves greet each other as many times as they meet, despite the fact that today they have already seen each other more than once.
You should be especially scrupulous in commodity-money relations with local residents. Often travelers complain that the Senegalese, under any pretext, are trying to lure as much money from the guest as possible for this or that insignificant service. But at the same time, the Senegalese resent the attempt to offer them a fee for some things, for example - for an overnight stay in a private house, as they consider this a friendly service to the guest. Therefore, you should always thoroughly ask the guide or interpreter about the peculiarities of the etiquette of the ethnic group to which the interlocutor belongs. But usually a small reciprocal gift to the owner of the house, as well as medicines, food or some amount of money for the needs of the community, is usually quite adequate payment for hospitality.
In the Senegalese house, before eating, it is supposed to wash your hands from a special jug and dry them with a common towel. Usually dishes are served in deep enameled plates or pots, each for 3-4 servings. Meat dishes of local cuisine are served not on plates, but on special boards with recesses hollowed out in them. African fish soup "kidu" is also served in a special way - in a clay pot, sealed on top with a cornmeal tortilla. Rice, meat and fish can be eaten with your hands (you should only take food with your right hand!), but in many homes there is always European cutlery on the table that can be used along with your hands. Each dish is served separately, although it may be on the table from the very beginning. Bread and flat cakes are usually broken by hand and used as a spoon. Salads often come after the main course. For dessert, various fruits, kola nuts (for chewing and cleaning the mouth) and various desserts are usually served, followed by coffee and tea. There are many small canteens and cafes in which each component of the meal is served and paid for separately and laid out on a plate in the ratio indicated by the guest.
Particular attention should be paid to the respect of local residents for the baobab. These trees are even protected by law and their cutting down, as well as climbing on them without special permission from the authorities, is prohibited.
The soles of the feet should not be directed in any direction, usually they are tucked under themselves or sit in Turkish. It is not customary to eat while standing or walking. Do not touch a person's head, even if it is a child. You can not bypass the worshipers in front. Shoes should be removed when entering mosques and houses.
