Since Thursday...

1-4: Holy city of Touba

Senegal has it's own "brand" of Islam, more or less created by Sheikh Amadou Bamba, the most famous Senegalese Islamic leader. He founded the city of Touba in 1887, and many Senegalese people make a pilgrimage to the mosque here at least once a year. The mosque was architecturally very beautiful, but to enter the women had to have their bodies and heads fully covered. We all had to take our shoes off. Women and men are not allowed to touch as soon as they enter the mosque grounds and pray in separate areas.

5: African drumming class

"This is not a prayer, you can not do whatever you want." 

Words spoken to me by the instructor in response to my lack of tempo. 

6: Acoustic music night African style - kora, guitar, and 2 other unknown instruments. 

I received the African name of Awa Ndiaye from the kora player. Later that night, we watched the most incredibleeeeee drum performance. I can not even begin to explain how powerful and awesome it was. Can't wait to upload videos of it!

7-9: Sunset from Sobo Bade

10-11: "Safari" at Bandia Game Reserve

Lots of traveling, lots of beach, lots of good food, lots of music, very little sleep.

Back in Dakar for the last few days of our trip. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

Maa ngi fi rek

I love language. I am, quite sadly, terrible at it. But its transcendent nature is so appealing to me. This chair I sit on is not really a chair. It is an object, the form of which exists in some metaphysical land inside our brains. The English language has labeled it a “chair,” allowing you to understand what I mean when I use this word. Similarly, each language has created a combination of sounds to refer to this same object. The communication language allows us is a thing of such beauty. What I need, what I want, what I feel – can all be expressed if I just find the right syllables.

We recently had a lesson in Wolof, one of the native languages spoken fairly universally in Senegal. It was fun to pick up a few phrases, but I really enjoy the literal translations into English. Many times they are able to convey the desires of our heart with a simplicity that gets lost in our day-to-day interactions.

For example, the typical Wolof greeting goes something like this:

Salam maalekum = Peace be with you

Maalekum salaam = And also with you

Nanga def? = How are you

Maa ngi fi rek (pronounced Mangee fee reck)

This last line, the answer to how are you, literally translates as “I am here only.” Meaning nothing has happened to me, I am not here with hurt or pain – I am just here. 

Photo credits to Beth - who is clearly much better at using my camera than I am!

Tour of Dakar

We spent our day on a bus tour of Dakar. So many great sights and a very informative tour guide made for an interesting day.

 Senegal's version of the "White House." The President has served 7 terms (starting in 2000 I believe), and although he is 85, wants to run again. Although our tour guide said he has done a lot of good, most believe it is time for him to step down.

Views of the beach, from yesterday and today. Can't wait to get in the ocean!

 The only police man we have seen in Senegal so far. He wasn't doing much of anything (it's amusing actually how little work seems to get done here).

A trip to the fish market concluded our day. Fishing is the number one industry in Senegal. The smell here was overpowering, and the people weren't too friendly (except for the ones trying to sell us stuff), but it made for some great pictures.

I would like to do a separate post on the African Renaissance Monument we also visited, but that will have to wait until I have more time. I really like my roommate Beth, and tomorrow we move in with our host family :)