Official name of the country :: Republic of Senegal
Capital :: Dakar
Area: 196,722 sq km (75,955 sq miles)
Population :: 15,589,485 (UN estimate 2016).
People: Wolof (43%), Peul (24%), Sérère(14%), Toucouleur (10%), Diola (5%), Mandinka (4%), and also Malinkés, European and Lebanese.
Language: The official language is French. There are many local languages, principally Wolof. Other languages include Pulaar, Mandinka and Diola.
Religion :: Around 94% Muslim, 5% Christian (mostly Roman Catholic with some Protestants) and a minority holds traditional beliefs.
Political organisation: Presidential
President :: President Macky Sall since 2012.
Prime Minister :: Mohammed Dionne since 2014.
The Toucouleur people, among the early inhabitants of Senegal, converted to Islam in the 11th century, although their religious beliefs retained strong elements of animism. The Portuguese had some stations on the banks of the Senegal River in the 15th century and the first French settlement was made at St Louis in 1659 as Gorée Island became a major centre for the Atlantic slave trade through the 1700s. The British took parts of Senegal, but the French gained possession in 1840 and made it part of French West Africa in 1895.
In 1946 Senegal became an overseas territory of France and on 20 June 1960, it formed an independent republic federated with Mali, but the federation collapsed within four months.
Senegal has played a prominent role in African politics since its independence. As a black nation that is more than 90 per cent Muslim, it has been a diplomatic and cultural bridge between the Islamic world and other parts of Africa while maintaining closer economic, political and cultural ties to France than many other former colonies.
Its first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor, an acclaimed poet and member of the Académie Française, towered over the country’s political life until his retirement in 1981 although he replaced multi-party democracy with an authoritarian regime.
In 1973 Senegal co-founded the West African Economic Community, but when rising oil prices and fluctuations in the price of peanuts, a major export crop, ruined the economy in the 1970s, Senghor reversed course and emphasised new industries such as tourism and fishing.
When the economy continued to stagnate Senghor resigned in favour of his protégé Abdou Diouf who led the country for the next 20 years, initiating further economic and political liberalisation. In March 2000, opposition party challenger Abdoulaye Wade won 60 per cent of the vote in multi-party elections. In January 2001, the Senegalese voted in a new constitution that legalised opposition parties and granted women equal property rights with men.
In September 2002, 1863 passengers were killed when the state-owned Joola ferry sank. The government accepted responsibility for the disaster, which is considered the second worst non-military maritime disaster in history.
Despite constitutional term limits, President Wade ran for a third term in 2012 sparking violent protests that threatened to destabilise the country. In the event, Wade lost to former prime minister Macky Sall, who has remained in power since.
Did you know?
- More than 3000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Senegal since 1963.
- Senegalese griots have kept their region’s oral history alive for thousands of years through words and music.
- The African Resistance Monument in Dakar is the tallest statue in Africa.
Located just above the equator, Senegal is bordered by Guinea Republic and Guinea-Bissau to the south, Mali to the east, Mauritania to the north, and completely encloses the confederated state of The Gambia. To the west lies the Atlantic Ocean. Most land is less than 100m (330ft) above sea level, with plains constituting the majority of the country’s geography, apart from the Fouta Djallon foothills in the southeast and the Bambouk Mountains on the Mali border.
On the coast between Dakar and St Louis is a strip of shifting dunes. South of Dakar there are shallow estuaries along the coastline, which is fringed by palm trees. In the northern part of the country, south of the Senegal Basin, lies the arid Fouta Ferlo, a hot dry Sahelian plain with little vegetation.
Senegal is a nation renowned for its warmth, hospitality (known as teranga), and deeply rooted traditions. Its culture is a harmonious blend of indigenous customs, Islamic influence, and colonial legacies, creating a rich tapestry of music, dance, art, and storytelling.
In the Sine Saloum region, located where the Saloum River meets the Atlantic Ocean, cultural traditions are particularly unique and vibrant. This area, home to the Serer people, is celebrated for its historical importance, spiritual practices, and connection to nature. The Serer are known for their pangool (ancestral spirits), which play a central role in their spiritual life. Sacred groves, rivers, and islands in the region are often sites for rituals and ceremonies.
The Sine Saloum is also famous for its traditional fishing villages, where life revolves around the rhythms of the waterways. Artisanal fishing, shellfish harvesting, and salt production are key to the local economy, and traditional pirogues (colorful wooden fishing boats) dot the landscape.
Music and dance are integral to the culture, with the Sabar drum and the kora (a traditional harp-like instrument) often featured during celebrations. Wrestling (laamb), Senegal’s national sport, is particularly popular in the region, combining athleticism with ceremonial and spiritual elements.
Greetings and Basics
- Naka nga def? – How are you?
- Maangi fi rek. – I’m fine.
- Jërëjëf – Thank you.
- Salaam aleekum – Peace be upon you (common greeting).
- Wa aleekum salaam – Peace be upon you too (response).
- Ba beneen yoon. – See you next time.
Politeness
- Waaw – Yes.
- Déedéet – No.
- Naka waaw? – How do you say...?
- Bal ma akh. – Excuse me (or I’m sorry).
- Su la neexee. – Please (if you like).
Practical Words
- Fan la...? – Where is...?
- Benn – One.
- Naar – Two.
- Ñetti – Three.
- Leegi – Now.
- Am na...? – Do you have...?
Travel and Food
- Naka la tudd? – What is your name?
- Ñam bi – Food.
- Mburu – Bread.
- Naan – Drink.
- Dafa neex. – It’s delicious.
Wolof is widely spoken in Senegal, and even learning a few words can help you connect with locals and show appreciation for their culture!
