Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is a country in West Africa bordered by Mauritania in the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest. Senegal served multiple air and maritime travel routes, also known as the gateway to Africa. The country lies at an ecological boundary where semiarid grassland, oceanfront and tropical rainforest converge. Senegal is made up of about 16.74 million persons, comprising of about 20 tribes. Wolof group is the largest tribes making up 43.3% of Senegal’s population. The official language in Senegal is French, although there are many other spoken languages in Senegal which include Serer, Pulaar, Diola, Mandingo and Sarakole, while Wolof is the national language.
TRENDING FASHION IN SENEGAL
ACCESSORIES IN SENEGAL
There are beautiful and intruguing accessories from Senegal to compliment your attire.
TRIBES IN SENEGAL AND THEIR FASHION
Generally all tribes in senegal wear the Senegal fabric known as Senegalese.
The Wolof tribe
The Wolof are the major ethnic group in Sennegal. They are very infuential culturally and politically. Wolof is Senegal’s dominant language, about 2.5 million Senegalese speak Wollof. They dress as same as all people of Senegal, “Senegalese” sown into different styles and embroidery and adorned with various accessories.
The Fula
The fula are found in most West African countries, their dress code and styles vary greatly. In general, however, married men and women follow the Islamic dress code, which prescribes modesty. The men wear large gown made from senegal fabric, trousers and cap. The women wear veils when they leave their household.
TOURIST AND HISTORICAL PLACES IN SENEGAL
There are many interesting places and sites in Senegal, places to rest, chill, take a ride and enjoy your vacation, places like;
Goree Island – it has a history of prominent slave-trading center. It is crucial to Africans-Americans to pay their respects to the past of their ancestors.
St. Louis – it is one of the oldest French colonial towns where most European squires resided.
Djoudj National Bird Santuary – it is an abode of greater than 30 species of birds including pelican and spectacular pink flamingo.
Dakar – the capital of Senegal, the Dakar IFAN Museum to watch the outstanding collection of West Africa and Senegalese masks, amazing musical instruments, and remarkable statues.
Casamance – it is the area of Senegal south of the Gambia including Casamance River.
Ziguinchor – it is the chief town of Casamance area of Senegal, lying at the mouth of Casamance River.
Tambacounda – the largest city in eastern Senegal, 400 km southeast of dakar.
Popenguine – small town of Popenguine is the gateway to truly beautiful medley of natural attractions.
Pink Lake – a lake full of pink-purple colour. It possess large amount of salt and single species of bacteria
Joal-Fadiouth – it is a town and commune in the Thies Region at the end of the small Cote of Senegal.
Lompoul Desert – a small desert located 145km south of St. Louis, Senegal, characterized by the presence of sand dunes in the Sahara and Mauritania, it is a popular tourist attraction of Senegal.
Kedougou – a region of south-eastern Senegal near the border with Mali and Guinea.
Kaolack – an important regional market town and Senegal’s main peanut trading and processing center.
Kafountine – a village of Senegal located in lower Casamance. It is the capital of rural community of Kafountine, in the old district of Diouloulou, region of Ziguinchor.
Touba – a holy city of Mouridism and the burial place of its founder, Shaikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacke.
MUSIC IN SENEGAL
The base of all music in Senegal is traditional. One of the most important folk rythms of Senegal is Yela. During the pre-colonial era Senegalese empires used to call for important events. It is also a traditional music performed by women. Mbalax is also a well-known and important music in Senegal, a national dance of Senegal. The world genres such as blues, calypso, reggae, beguine and even rap are influenced by folk music of Senegal.
Famous musicians in Senegal include:
Youssou N’ Dour
Baaba Maal
Art work in Senegal include:
MEAL IN SENEGAL
Senegal have many sumptous meal to grace your visit. Meals that will leave you coming for more.
Riz Gras – means ‘fat rice’ a popular type right across the Sahel region and West Africa.
Yassa Poulet/ poisson – a simple, yet delicious concoction of lemon juice, carmelized onions and garlic.
Mafe – peanut dish, the principal ingredient in one of the Senegal’s best-loved dishes.
Thieboudienne – a famous 19th century meal. It consists of fresh fish, dried fish, rice and tomato-garlic-onion-chilli puree all served with many vegatbles like pumpkin, cassava, eggplant and carrot.
Pastels – small hand held deep-fried pastry pockets stuffed with fish and spices, soaked in tomato sauce.
Saladu Nebbe (balck eyed pea salad) – tasty and filling dish made with range of fresh local vegetables.
Riz Gras
Yassa Poulet/ poisson
Mafe
Thieboudienne
Pastels
Saladu Nebbe (balck eyed pea salad)
Firire – a Senegales cuisine based on fried fish and onion sauce, served with fries, salad and bread.
Sombi (Senegalese coconut rice) – a coconut rice pudding, traditional served warm.
Ndambe (Black-Eyed Pea Stew) – a meal good for vegetarians, beans made with tomato sauce.
Mint Tea – an important cultural tradition hot tea in senegal, prepared from loosed green tea.
Capitaine a la Saint-Louissienne – a fish dish developed in the city that gives its name, served with rice.
Thiakry – a form of couscous known in Senegal and neighbouring countries in West Africa.
Firire
Sombi (Senegalese coconut rice)
Ndambe (Black-Eyed Pea Stew)
Mint Tea
Capitaine a la Saint-Louissienne
Thiakry
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND HABITAT PROTECTION IN SENEGAL
According to United Nations, Food and Agricultural Organization, 44.0% or about 8,473,000 ha of Senegal is forested. Of this 18.3% is classified as primary forest, the most biodiverse and carbon-dense form of forest. Senegal’s environmental issues are varied. According to CIA world factbook pressing problems exist with: diminishing wildlife populations which are threatened by poaching, deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, desertification and overfishing.
EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN SENEGAL
Climate change have wide reaching impacts on many aspects of life in Senegal. Climate change poses a threat to Senegal’s socio-economic development. In general, climate models suggest increase temperatures, decreased annual rainfall, increases in the intensity and frequency of heavy rainfall events and a rise in sea level. These effects have resulted to flooding, drought and hot wind. Lives and properties have been lost to these adverse effect.
GENDER EQUALITY IN SENEGAL
Senegal constitution guarantees equality between women and men. Women are allowed to participate in politics and economic decision of the country. There are many women heading government ministries, female Prime Ministers, medical practitioners, academia etc. Some prominent women includes;
Arame Ndoye – Senegalese politicia who served as Minister of Planning and Loal Governement within the Mbaye Government.
Aminata Toure – Senegalese politician and second female who served as Prime Minister of Senegal.
Aminata Mbengue Ndiaye – Senegalese politician who served as Minister of Livestock and Animal production.
Aissata Tall Sall – Senegalese lawyer and politician, currently serving as country’s Foreign Minister.
Arame Ndoye
Aminata Toure
Aminata Mbengue Ndiaye
Aissata Tall Sall
Maimouna Sourang Ndir – Senegales politican who served in various governement ministry and Senegal’s ambassador to France.
Awa Diop – Senegales politician who served as deputy in the National assembly and ministry.
Sefiatou Thiam – Senegalese public health doctor and former Minister of Health.
Awa Marie Coll-Seck – Senegalese infectiologist and politician who served as Minister of Health.
Maimouna Sourang Ndir
Awa Diop
Sefiatou Thiam
Awa Marie Coll-Seck
