DISCOVER

SENEGAL
Un peuple, un but, une foi

 A Brief History of Senegal

The first humans in Senegal were hunters

but sometime, around 3000 BC,
they
learned to farm. By 500 AD a sophisticated
society arose to make intricate iron tools and
buildings made out of stone circles. Towns
and trade flourished. In the 13th century
Senegal was part of the Empire of Mali,
which lasted until their decline. In the 15th
century, Senegal was broken up into several
small kingdoms.
The first Europeans to arrive there were the Portuguese in
1544. They began to trade with the Africans. In the early
16th century, the Portuguese started taking slaves from
West Africa in large numbers to work sugar plantations.
The English, Dutch and French all established slave trading
stations along the coast. The Ile de Goree was taken by the
French from the Dutch in 1677. During the 18th century,
the slave trade flourished. Europeans persuaded Africans
from the coast to attack neighboring tribes and take
captives. Millions were shipped across the Atlantic in
appalling conditions. However the British banned the slave
trade in 1807.

Today there is a museum called the House of Slaves with

the “Door of No Return” that is also a UNESCO World
Heritage site. It is a solemn place for contemplation and
reflection
The French took over Senegal and made it the headquarters
of their growing West African empire. This gave the
Senegalese people education and healthcare that many
other nations did not receive. They also were a prosperous
colony exporting ground nuts. The French ended up giving
independence to Senegal on June 20, 1960 as part of a union
with Mali. That was short-lived and Senegal became a
separate nation on August 20, 1960. Leopold Senghor, a
catholic, became the first leader and is considered to be the
founding father of the nation. He introduced a new
constitution in 1963. He was replaced by Abdou Diouf.
Diouf in turn was president of senegal until 2000. He was
replaced by Abdoulaye Wade. Senegal is a poor country but
unique in the world in many respects.
 Language

country with
Senegal is a multilingual
36 languages listed. Wolof is the most
widely spoken language as a first or
second language (80%). French is the
official language (inherited from the
colonial era) but only about 15-20% of
men and 1-2% of women understand
French.
 Culture
•Senegal has long been considered a
cultural mecca of the African continent.
Senegalese artisans are famous for their
gold, silver, and bronze jewelry, as well as
use of antique and amber beads. Women
•Senegalese music has been made popular
traditionally wear beautiful swatches of
by a Wolof percussive instrument called
bright cloth, and men wear equally brilliant
the mbalax. Drums characterize the music
colors and skullcaps.
of the country, which tends to be lively and
upbeat. It is rare that there is a night when
dancing can be found. Hip-hop and soul
have added their own flavors, making
Senegal’s music scene one of the most
exciting in Africa.
•Senegal is a diverse West African nation approximately the size of South Dakota and home to
more than 36 ethnic groups and languages. been shaped by its location between the edge of the
Sahara and the Atlantic. Trans- Saharan trade brought Islam and Arab influences to Senegal
through North Africa.

•Children typically live with their parents

until they get married. Families are
generally patriarchal, in which men are
considered the head of the family and make
most of the decisions, while women control
household duties.
 Politics
•Senegal is a country in West Africa that has a democratic political system. It has a
presidential system of government where the President of the Republic is both the
head of state and the head of government. The president is elected for a five-year
term and can serve a maximum of two terms in office.

•The political landscape in Senegal is diverse, with multiple political parties and a
strong tradition of political engagement among its citizens. The ruling party in
Senegal is the Alliance for the Republic (APR), which is led by President Macky Sall.
The APR is a center-right party that supports economic liberalization and market-
oriented policies.
•Other significant political parties in Senegal include the Socialist Party of
Senegal (PS), the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), and the Rewmi Party.
These parties have different ideological orientations and are active in
advocating for their respective platforms and policies.

•Senegal also has a well-established civil society, with various non-

governmental organizations (NGOs), media outlets, and advocacy groups
working to advance various social and political issues. Additionally,
traditional leaders and religious groups also play a significant role in shaping
public opinion and influencing political discourse in the country.
•In recent years, Senegal has experienced some challenges, including
economic inequality, corruption, and political polarization. Nonetheless, the
country has remained relatively stable and has a vibrant political scene with a
strong commitment to democratic governance.

•Senegal has a history of peaceful transfers of power, and the country is

widely regarded as one of the most stable democracies in Africa. However, the
political scene in Senegal has not been without its controversies.
•In 2012, the presidential election was marred by accusations of fraud and
protests, which resulted in the death of several people. In 2019, there were also
protests in Senegal against the government's decision to introduce a new
electoral code, which critics claimed would limit the participation of opposition
parties in the upcoming presidential election.

•In terms of foreign relations, Senegal is an active participant in regional and

international organizations, such as the African Union, the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the United Nations. Senegal
is also a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and its
capital, Dakar, is the seat of the African Renaissance Monument, which
symbolizes the country's commitment to promoting pan-Africanism and
African unity.
•Economically, Senegal is one of the most developed countries in West Africa,
with a diversified economy that includes agriculture, mining, tourism, and
services. The country has also made significant strides in reducing poverty and
improving access to education and healthcare.

•Overall, the political landscape in Senegal is characterized by a vibrant

democratic culture, diverse political parties, and an active civil society.
However, the country also faces some challenges, such as corruption, economic
inequality, and occasional political tensions, which need to be addressed in
order to ensure continued stability and progress.
 Tourist destination
Island of Gorée
•The island of Gorée lies off the coast of Senegal, opposite Dakar. From the
15th to the 19th century, it was the largest slave-trading centre on the
African coast. Ruled in succession by the Portuguese, Dutch, English and
French, its architecture is characterized by the contrast between the grim
slave-quarters and the elegant houses of the slave traders. Today it
continues to serve as a reminder of human exploitation and as a
sanctuary for reconciliation.

Island of Saint-Louis
•Founded as a French colonial settlement in the 17th century, Saint-
Louis was urbanised in the mid-19th century. It was the capital of
Senegal from 1872 to 1957 and played an important cultural and
economic role in the whole of West Africa.
 Pink Lake
•Lake Retba, also known as Lac Rose, lies north of the Cap Vert
peninsula in Senegal, some 35 km north-east of the capital,
Dakar, in northwest Africa. It is named for its pink waters
caused by Dunaliella salina algae and is known for its high salt
content, up to 40% in some areas.

Sénégal River
•It rises in Guinea and flows northwest across Mali, then west
to the Atlantic Ocean, forming the border between Mauritania
and Senegal. It is 1,020 mi (1,641 km) long. Its two major
headstreams, the Bafing and Bakoye, meet in Mali to form the
Sénégal proper.
 Touba
•The Great Mosque of Touba is a mosque in Touba, Senegal. It was
founded by Ahmad Bamba in 1887 and completed in 1963. Is the
site of the annual Grand Magal pilgrimage for the Mourides. The
cooperative efforts of the Mourides have made Touba an
economic force and a regional business centre. Touba has several
marketplaces, the largest of which is the Okass market. Most of the
sect's members are peanut (groundnut) farmers

Dakar
•Dakar has seriously outgrown its perch on the Cap-Vert
Peninsula. It now sprawls eastwards into the arid dust plains to
the east, and bursts out over the dockside jetties in a medley of
lively trader ships and fish-scented marketplaces.
 Ziguinchor
•A patchwork of pastel-painted colonial builds and age-stained
frontispieces dressed in European filigrees and Parisian designs,
there’s no denying the immersive colonial character of Ziguinchor
and while the major sights here are few and far between the
bustling Marche Saint Maur des Fosses, the curious roundabouts
of the Place Jean-Paul II the real draw is the earthy African
character of the place.

Joal-Fadiouth
•Alive with salt-stained timber pirogues and oodles of bobbing
jetties, the town’s locals still utilize the age-old hand catching
techniques of centuries gone by. They can be seen haggling over
prices of huge swordfish all along the coast by morning, while
the eateries. unsurprisingly serve up some of the best seafood in
the country.
 Kafountine
•Laid-back little Kafountine is the place to come and sample the
undeniable beauties of the Casamance coast.Great long stretches of
golden sand are what draw most of the people here. They run the
gamut from wide bays washed by the rollers of the Atlantic to
bustling strips peppered with the faded fishing pirogues of the
locals closer to the town.

Kaolack
•Situated on a small headland that bubbles out into the
meanders of the Saloum River, the town of Kaolack is known as
a center of Islamic teaching, and as an industrial hub of
Senegalese salt production. Its attractions start with the vast
central square of Medina Baye look up to see the turquoise-
domed tops of the great minarets.
 Things to remember in visiting Senegal
POSITIVE
They are Friendly Safety and Security
The people of Senegal Despite what you want to
are very friendly. The do in a country, your safety
citizens are not only comes first. Is it safe to
friendly but very travel to Senegal is a
hospitable. security question every
careful traveller should
ask. One of the things you
don't know about Senegal
is that it is very safe.
Tolerance Senegal is known for its
delicious cuisine
There has been no record Spicy street food, exotic
of religious tension or the juices, mouthwatering
history of the war in sharing platters and fish
Senegal. The country is fresh from the Atlantic -
peaceful. It has more Senagalese food will
Muslims than Christians keep your taste buds in a
and other religions. constant state of
titillation.
Things to remember in visiting Senegal
NEGATIVE
Transportation Fare
You should know it is not cheap to travel
to Senegal. This is directly contrary to
people's belief in the prices of things in
Africa. The amount you will pay for
tourism in the United States of America
is almost the same you will pay for any
tourism-related business in the country.
African Time
The people of Senegal, just like their African
brothers, have time leisure concepts. You
should have this in mind to avoid getting
frustrated. Your tour or road trip might be
delayed for hours.
MERCI!