INTRODUCTION

Senegal's West African country is considered an entire African cultural center. Senegalese music is at the forefront of contemporary music, blended with traditional drums. It is well known for producing great work in movies and literature. An African voyage to Senegal shows a landmarked by rivers, and the northern desert, and the south rainforest. A menagerie of animals, from elephants and monkeys to leopards and hyenas, to manatees and walnuts, names this nation. A visit to the lovely country of Senegal should begin an African trip. There is proof that since the beginning of human history Senegal has been inhabited. Once upon a time, it was part of the Ghana Empire, which the Tukulor people created. It was a patriarchal culture with a rigid system of hierarchy with castes and classes. Islam arrived at the area in the 11th century and, although strongly committed to animism, the Tukulor became predominantly Muslim.In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Mandingo Empire in the east exercised its influence in this area, with the rise of the Jolof Empire (another regional ethnic group).

Take an African cultural cruise to the inspiration of African culture that is regarded by many. Senegal has a wonderful cultural history; the official language is French, while the Wolof, Pullar, Diola, and Mandigo are spoken as local languages. The majority of the people in Senegal professes Islam while around 6% still observe traditional faiths. Senegal has traditionally been regarded as an African continent's cultural center. Senegalese artists, as well as the utilization of ancient and amber beads, are famed for their gold, silver, and bronze jewelry. Women customarily wear magnificent swats of colorful towels, and males wear vivid skullcaps and colors. In today’s newsletter, we are diving into the rich culture of Senegal how it affected modern-day Senegalese.

THE CULTURE

Collectivism is essential to Senegalese traditional culture, which still lives on. While for some time there have been written versions of languages spoken in Senegal, the cultural legacy of the nation is conserved through the oral tradition of the eldest males, most of whom are at the top of the hierarchical society in Senegal. In rural regions, for instance, Basari in Kédougou rites and initiatives are actively performed. Young people must be circumcised among Muslims before they are given male duties. Senegal has a broad range of foodstuffs. The base of many foods is millet, couscous, and rice, peanuts and fresh fish are typical protein sources and flavor chilies, and palm oil. The common meals consist of thiéboudienne, rice with fish and vegetable sauce; poultry Yassa or poultry Yassa; onion and lemon sauce grilled chicken or fish and mafé, peanut-based stew. Meals are usually consumed by the community in many areas of West Africa from a single meal, and a code of behavior called fayda guarantees that the sharing of food takes place properly. The brewers in Dakar are mostly producing Senegalese beer.

A woman dancing at a national ceremony in the Senegalese clothing. Source: Dream Africa

ARTS AND CRAFT

Typical Senegalese expression is Art, sculpture, music and dance. Sculpture is defined by abstraction and an ideogram in order to unlock thoughts and sentiments by the artist's material appearance; for example, a sculpted gazelle may be represented by her horns and neck alone and an elephant can just be portrayed with a huge fan of her ears and the trunk. Likewise, the musician's inventiveness is important because traditional Senegalese music is not written down. Senegal has a long tradition of telling stories, like most other African countries. Senegal's written literature is considered to be one of West Africa's most important. Most of the works in French were published. Also available are published Arabic, Pulaar, and Wolof. Léopold Sédar Senghor is one of the world's most famous poets in Senegal. Women authors in recent years have been active. Mariama Bâ is recognized for her work about multi-gamma society. Mariama Bâ is a woman writer from Senegal. Dance also owes much to improvisation, but professional troops, like the National Senegalese Ballet, established in 1960 by Léopold Senghor, have developed highly choreographed shows based on various ethnic traditions. Contemporary Senegalese music blends with Western genres, instruments, and rhythms. The Star Band, formed by Ibra Kassé in the early 1960s is one of the first ensembles to mix various musical influences. With Étarile de Dakar and Dakar Super Etoile Youssou N'Dour, one of Africa's most important recording artists, has earned international renown. He's noted for mixing traditional drumming mbalaxes with more current Western forms like rock and pop. Baaba Maal, a Fulani musician who typically employs traditional African instruments and also borrows from various Western forms of music, including pop and reggae, is another globally renowned recording artist.

Senegal Art and Craft music taken in Dakar. source: Alamy stock Photos

SENEGALESE CUSINIE AND CUSTOMS

South African, Portuguese and French food had a strong impact on Senegal's cuisine. Fish is an important cooking component. Chicken, meat, lamb and eggs are also sources of protein. Pork in the nation is not consumed, as Islam is the majority of the population's religion. The mainstays of the cuisine are white rice, couscous, lentils, candy and black-eyed peas. Rice, couscous or bread paired with stewed meats or meats are common meals. The most popular drinks are coffee, tea and fresh fruit juices. Thieboudienne is a Senegalese traditional meal composed of fish, rice and tomato sauce. Nation as well as other ethnic groups like France or Portugal, the largest being the Wolofi, influenced Senegalese cuisine and various cultures, in particular the French, that held the country as a colony until 1960. Fleeces are usually marinated or stewed with herbs and spices and then filled with rice or couscous, or just eaten with toast. Everyone is eating from one bowl or dish, using spoons and bare hands to scoop up meat and veggies – usually accompanied by rice or couscous. The foods are common in all countries. At every meal on every table is the sosa kaani, a flaming sauce created with Scotch capsules. Three major meals in Senegal are commonly known and popular. Their food needs to be prepared in a complex way therefore that is not daily food. Another extremely popular dish is Yassa, chicken or fish, marinated for the first time with lemon and onions, and served on rice. In addition, Mafe's a stew with a tomato sauce and a peanut sauce often with meat or lamb. The sweetness of desserts combines indigenous ingredients an extravagant and French flair with the culinary traditions of Senegal. They are usually accompanied by coffee or tea with fresh fruit.

The etiquette at the Senegalese table might be a bit stiff. You must wait for your seat to be displayed. Seating is often a hierarchical issue. Before a meal is served, a washing basin will be brought out to wash hands. Women and men can eat in the same room at different tables or in separate rooms. Sit cross-legged and try not to allow your feet to contact the table when you serve the dinner on the floor or on a low table. Don't start to eat till the eldest male. Food from a community bowl is frequently offered. You ought to eat from the bowl portion before you. Never reach the opposite side of the bowl to retrieve something. Just eat the right hand. Wait for second support to be requested. Sample every dish. Sample every dish. Leaving a piece of food on your plate or your bowl portion shows you were taken care of. People usually remain in a personal relationship for half an hour or longer after dinner.

This a Senegalese Delicacy popular known as Thiéboudienne. Source:Dream Africa.

LIFE IN SENEGAL IN THE MODERN WORLD

The people of Senegal see the family as a sign of strength. Staying with one another is not a priority and is typical in Senegalese society. Extended families reside in compounds (with distinct sections for each family) or in a huge family house in several rural locations and traditional urban households. Children are generally married until they live with their parents. Generally, families are patriarchal, where males are regarded the head of the family and decide the majority, while women oversee the homework.

In Senegal, the bride’s parents generally have arranged weddings, although marriages are also rising by consensus. When a person chooses a wife, the family of the man generally visits the family of the bride and offers her cola nuts. If the young person approves the bride's parents, accept the cola nuts. The bride's family also receives other presents. The marriage of a religious imam or Muslim leader is carried out mostly on the mosque. There follows a civil marriage at the Family Court or town hall. The bride moves into the family of the bride after marriage. It is a strict and family focused traditional social system. In Senegalese society, children are highly cherished. Since an early age, children have been taught societal ideals. The whole community is involved in the education of youngsters. Girls and boys begin to study their gender roles as young people. Even though Gender equality is an issue, Fortunately, Senegalese young people are informed and vocal about important social and economic problems, including income disparity, human rights and political responsibility. They receive greater assistance in pursuing their ambitions, developing their identities and maintaining a careful balance between traditional beliefs and foreign influences. They are an assurance of a brighter future.

（Priscilla Owusu-Ansah，Assistant of CWAS from School of Public Affairs and Administration of UESTC）

Please refer to the Chinese Version published on Huanqiu.com, one of the top three rating news media in China. Huanqiu.com is a national rating on line media platform, approved by the publisher of People's Daily and the Central Internet Information Office of China. This column is to provide a platform for researchers and practitioners on West African issues.

link：https://opinion.huanqiu.com/article/43rs3gzQG8R