Climate
Senegal’s climate is exceptional, which is probably one of the
reasons you chose to vacation here.. The sun shines more than 3000 hours
per year or about 340 days!!!! There are two seasons :
• The dry season from October to May is without
rain with temperatures varying between 23° à 30-35° centigrade
(80-95 F) on the coast and becoming warmer inland. The northern wind,
the harmattan, blows occasionally during this period, carrying red and
yellow sand, and coloring the countryside.
• The rainy season also called “wintering”
runs from the end of June through September and is caracterised by violent
but short downpours. The humidity level is high and the heat is more
oppressive during the dry season. It is during this period that the
landscape turns green, that seeds are planted and that when you can
admire the tropical flora. The water temperature varies between 18 and
33 degrees centigrade (68-88 F)
The ocean temperature
fluctuates between 18° and 33°.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
22
18-20
18-20
21
23
26
30
33
33
31
26
26
Geography
Spread on 196,192 square kilometers, (half the size of
Texas), Senegal is relatively flat; predominently covered with sand dunes,
especially along the coastline.Mountain lovers, beware! The north east
offers the hills of Fouta-Djalon, in the Niokolo-Koba region, with the
highest peak, Mount Assirik, culminating at 311 meters !
Attractive small cliffs can be found along the coast, notably near the
town of Popenguine on the “Little-Coast”.
The landscape in the interior of the country is more arid, but in the
South West, notably in Casamance, one can find more vegetation. Senegal
resides within the northern hemisphere, near the Greenwich Meridian. Its
capital is Dakar, which has approximately 3 million inhabitants.
You will be able to observe
the rich fauna and flora during your daytrips or in the
various parcs of Djoudj, « langue de barbarie »,
Madeleine island, Niokolo-koba, the Saloum Delta, the reserves of Popenguine
or Bandia, which even if smaller than the others still offers a certain
interest.
Economics. Outside
of the developing tourism industry ( 75% of tourists come from France),
other sectors include fishing, market farming (peanuts, rice, millet,
sugar canne…), canning, peanut oil, soap making, textile, and oil
refining. Imports remain important with diverse products such as rice
(the basic food staple) since Senegal is not able to be self sufficient.
Farms are often run by families and without machinery, therefore with
small outputs. Animal husbandry is also an important component of the
economy, consisting of 8 million animals, mainly sheep and cattle.
Politics
: Senegal is a democratic secular republic. Its current president Mr.
Abdulaye Wade was re-elected in 2007 for another 5 year term. The country
obtained its independence in 1960 and Leopold Sedar Senghor, a poet and
politician, became its first president.
Religion: Senegal is 90% Muslim and the remaining 10%
of the population is Christian or Animist. Certain regions such as Thies,
Fatik, and Kaolac are Catholic in majority.
These different groups truly live together and tolerate each other. Religion
plays an important part in daily life. Numerous religious
celebrations (Source: senegalaisement.com) take place during the year
and at those time, the Senegalese spend most of their budget since those
celebrations are expensive (food, costumes, gifts, ..)
Marabouts: Three kinds of marabouts exist in Senegal.:
Marabouts “de ficelles” (string marabout) who are considered
charlatans.
Animist marabouts who are more like fortune tellers are consultedfor
luck, to get advice on love matters, and to prevent diseases.
And the religious marabouts . Mostly muslims, often well known figures,
these are taken seriously. They host “talibés” who
are often orphans and required to beg in order to be fed. Certain well
known religious marabouts who are fairly rich are increasing their influence
in the political and social life in Senegal.
Population
: Fifty five (55%) of the 12 million inhabitants lives in the countryside,
25% or 3 million in the capital Dakar. 55 % of the population is under
20 years old. Twenty -two ethnic groups can be found. The most well known
are:
The Wolofs represent 40% of the population, but 80% of the entire
population speak their language, wolof. They have a hierarchical way
of life and they can be found all across the country.
The Sereres, with 16% of the population, can be mostly found along
the “little coast”, in Thies, and in the Sine Saloum region.
They resisted the Islamization in the 12th century and fled the region
around the Senegal river. Today, they are mostly Animists and Christians
but have a tendency to convert to Islam.
The Lebou population is concentrated in the towns of Dakar, Yoff and
on the” little coast”. The elders maintain the power and
their system is fairly democratic when compared with the Wolofs.
The Peuls represent 13% of the population. They are nomads with herds
of zebus (humped ox) travelling at the mercy of available pastures.
Certain groups have settled but they do not mix with the nomads. The
Peuls had initially resisted Islamization but are now converting to
Islam. The humped ox is sacred. Children inherit the animals. Tradition,
superstition, and legends are passed down from generation to generation.
The Toucouleurs (literally all-colors), comprise 10% of the population
and live in the valley of the Senegal river. They are also nomads who
promoted Islam, an effort that was not always appreciated by other ethnic
groups.
The Diolas, also representing 10% of the population, have settled
in the Casamance region. They are Animists and/orCchristians and also
fought against Islamization.
The Maldingues are spread across West Africa. Their strict hierarchical
system does not allow women and children to take part in many activities.
During the development of West Africa, they also participated in the
Islamization effort.
The Bassaris are few in numbers and live in the south-east part of
the country, in the bush. They have kept their ancestral traditions
and rites. They are farmers and hunters.
Several other etnic group make up the population such as the Diallonkés,
Bédiks, Balantes, Mankagnes, Manjaks, baïnouks, Pépels…
They all contribute in the making of a multi-ethnic, multi-tradition,
multiculture, multi-belief system country. The diversity of these groups
is an added richness for Senegal.
Art and Culture :
Music and dance : You will be able to meet many famous musicians such
as Youssou Ndour, Ismaël LO, Baaba Maal, The Guissé brothers,
Nakodgjé, Tidiane and Dieuf Djeul, Doudou N’Dyaye, a popular
rap group named PBS, Toure Kunda, and many less known others. Music is
an integral part of life in Africa. These musicians entertain the entire
country using modern and traditional rythms. The Mbalax is a traditional
wolof rhythm and a musical reference in Africa upon which one can add
other rythms such as: folk, salsa, reggae, jazz, etc. But the fans of
pure jazz, afro-jazz, and typical music will find that also.
sabar
djembe
The traditional instrument of Senegal is not the Djembe or the Tam-tam
that were used to communicate in the past, but the longer Sabar played
with a stick. Another type of Sabar, the Gorong Yeguel, is smaller and
played sitting down.
It is harder to hear those instruments played spontaneously in the street.
But during certain ceremonies, organized events, or by strolling at dusk
in the centre of villages, you have a chance to encounter its sound…
Hand made African art and decoration is mostly present in objects such
as jewelry, leather items, wood or iron sculptures, glass covered paintings
(called suuwere), masks, regular paintings, murals, cloths, etc..
Often, popular artists are asked to inform the illiterate population through
their drawings about potential risks and methods of prevention of diseases
such as malaria, aids and cholera. Sometimes they are also use for political
propaganda.
The Senegalese cinema produces short films and feature
movies shown in the country as well as in foreign countries. Unfortunately,
local movie directors cannot afford the large budgets nor meet the requirements
to be recognized by festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, or Hollywood. As
a result, movie houses are disappearing in Senegal even though a demand
exists from the Senegalese public longing for movies that touch and represent
their lives.
Gastronomy : The base of Senegalese cooking is rice
or millet, spicy and complemented with fish or lamb. You could be invited
to share a meal with a family. They eat one dish, placed in the middle
of the table or on the carpet if they eat on the floor, and everyone helps
him or herself.
The two most typical dishes are the “Tieboudienne” made of
rice with fish, and “Poulet yassa” which is chicken with onions.
Millet is also used frequently in cooking. It is served mashed, as a couscous,
or in small balls. Meat from the Zebu is cooked for special occasions
because it is more expensive than other meats. Fish remains the principal
dish.
Sports : Football (soccer) and traditional wrestling
are the two main sports. Many tournaments are organised throughout the
country.
Exercise is not done inside gyms, as in rich countries (although some
are being developed) but in nature, along the ocean or in the countryside.
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sabar
djembe