Page 47 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 30

Art & Culture
cavities that form inside the massive trunks
have traditionally been used as graves for
griots, renowned storytellers and poets.
Wonderful Wolof Ways
Wolof is the largest ethnic group in Senegal,
making up two-fifths of the population,
and the Wolof language is the second most
common in Senegal, after French. Wolof was
historically a socially stratified culture with
marriages confined within strict social and
family groups. Wolof women are renowned
for their intricate hairstyles, gold jewelry and
bright, billowing dresses.
A Dark Time In History
Gorée Island, a 20-minute ferry ride from
Dakar, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
From the 15th to the 19th century, it was the
busiest slave-trading center on the African
coast. Visitors today can tour the palatial ruins
of the former homes of Portuguese, Dutch,
French and English slave traders and the
tiny, bleak cells where enslaved people were
packed together without fresh air or light
while awaiting passage to the Americas.
A Country Nearly Sliced In Half
If the map of Senegal was a man with a
mullet looking westward, his mouth would be
The Gambia, a sliver of a country that nearly
bisects Senegal.
Fulani Is A Culture On The Move
The Fulani people, also called Fula or Fulbe,
are spread throughout Western Africa, and
about 3 million Fulani people live in Senegal.
Traditionally pastoralists, many Fulani
in Senegal still live a nomadic lifestyle,
traveling with their herds of cattle, sheep and
goats to find water and grazing land.
Religious Tolerance Is The Rule
While more than 90 percent of Senegalese
people practice Islam, the country is quite
tolerant to other traditions. The government
recognizes both Muslim and Christian
holidays. The Great Mosque of Touba is
among the largest of its kind in West Africa.
A Culture Of Sharing
In Wolof, teranga is the word for hospitality
and generosity of spirit that informs how
guests are treated and resources are shared.
The spirit of teranga is front and center during
meals, when everyone generally shares from a
communal bowl. Hand washing with pitchers
of clean water is an important pre-meal ritual.
Food is usually eaten with the fingers, and
good manners dictate that diners eat only
from the part of the bowl right in front of
them.
Prayer for Senegal
I pray for you, the beautiful nation of Senegal,
that the very unique things that set you apart
as great will also bring you to the forefront
of true leadership in Africa and make you a
real solution-bearer to the issues of the world.
Yours is a nation that has gone through its
challenges like every African country and
you now have the tested wisdom to deal
with any further challenges that will come
your way. Take time to look inward, count
your blessings and then diligently work your
way with what you have to your pinnacle of
success. Be blessed indeed.
ISSUE 30 | AUGUST 2024 47