Senegal: despite widespread poverty, many Senegalese prize teranga, or hospitality, above all else.Imagine sharing your house with 25 family members. For Ibrahima Pouye (poo-WAY) Jr., 13, it's no big deal. He lives in Dakar, Senegal's capital. In this city of skyscrapers and horse-drawn carts, family life and community are highly valued. Aissatou (EYE-sah-too) Camara, 13, shares a home with her mother, brother, sister, and aunt. Her father died two years ago. Both Ibrahima and Aissatou are in the Senegalese equivalent of seventh grade. Only 10 percent of kids in this impoverished nation attend high school, and much of the adult population cannot read or write. Ibrahima attends the Ecole Fadilou Diop, the country's first secondary school. It was built in 1965, five years after Senegal gained independence from France. About 75 students are crammed cram v. crammed, cram·ming, crams v.tr. 1. To force, press, or squeeze into an insufficient space; stuff. 2. To fill too tightly. 3. a. To gorge with food. into each of the 18 classrooms, with three or four students sharing a desk. Students must provide their own textbooks and supplies. The conditions at Aissatou's school are not much better. "It's too crowded," says Aissatou, who wants to become a doctor. Her favorite subject is science. "There are so many diseases in Senegal, and I want to help," she says shyly. Ibrahima and Aissatou have recently begun to study English in school. Like most people in Senegal and West Africa West Africa A region of western Africa between the Sahara Desert and the Gulf of Guinea. It was largely controlled by colonial powers until the 20th century. West African adj. & n. , they speak more than one language. French is the country's official language, but many African languages African languages, geographic rather than linguistic classification of languages spoken on the African continent. Historically the term refers to the languages of sub-Saharan Africa, which do not belong to a single family, but are divided among several distinct are also spoken. In addition to Wolof, the language of the country's largest ethnic group, Aissatou speaks Sousou, a language from neighboring neigh·bor n. 1. One who lives near or next to another. 2. A person, place, or thing adjacent to or located near another. 3. A fellow human. 4. Used as a form of familiar address. v. Guinea, her mother's homeland. More boys than girls attend middle school. In traditional Senegalese society, girls are expected to get married, raise large families, and take care of the household. But many women also run small businesses outside the home. This may include selling eggs, flesh produce, fabrics, or other items at the many outdoor markets here. Aissatou is expected to help with more household chores than her 11-year-old brother. "Sometimes I don't like that," she says, "but I can't do anything about it." She often looks after her 7-year-old sister and helps her mother cook. Looking Up to Big Brother Towering minarets dominate the skyline of Ibrahima and Aissatou's neighborhood. More than 90 percent of Senegal's people are Muslim. As I speak with Aissatou on the rooftop terrace of her friend's home, a lively soccer game is going on in the stadium behind us. Soccer is enormously popular in Senegal. In the first round of the 2002 World Cup, Senegal defeated France, the defending champion defending champion n (SPORT) → defensor/a m/f del título defending champion n (Sport) → champion(ne) en titre . The upset victory thrilled Senegalese soccer fans. Ibrahima dreams of playing professional soccer. His favorite players are Brazilian star Ronaldinho and Senegal's El Hadj Diouf. But his biggest hero is his older brother Ibou. "I want to be just like him," says Ibrahima. "He's a hardworking man. He always takes the time to talk with me and my brothers. He gives us good advice." This is especially important because their father, who is working in France as a cook, is home only one month out of the year. "I wish I could see him more often," says Ibrahima. "But unfortunately, I have no choice." For many kids in developing countries, a parent working far from home is a reality. But having the support of his big brother helps Ibrahima immensely. "Once, when I was 10, I wanted to stop my studies," he says. "But thanks to Ibou, I stayed in school." In traditional Muslim and Senegalese cultures, a man is permitted to have up to four wives, although this practice, called polygamy polygamy: see marriage. polygamy Marriage to more than one spouse at a time. Although the term may also refer to polyandry (marriage to more than one man), it is often used as a synonym for polygyny (marriage to more than one woman), which appears , is less common today. Like many men of his generation, Ibrahima's father has four wives, all of whom live in the same household. Ibrahima says that when he grows up, he wants to have two wives, as Ibou does. But Aissatou, whose late father had two wives, says, "I am not willing to be one of multiple wives. When I get married, I want to be the only wife." Teranga, or Hospitality Attitudes among boys and girls boys and girls mercurialisannua. about marriage and gender roles may not be evolving (changing) at the same pace. But one thing that Senegalese of all ages have in common is a strong belief in teranga, which in Wolof means "hospitality." A Senegalese proverb proverb, short statement of wisdom or advice that has passed into general use. More homely than aphorisms, proverbs generally refer to common experience and are often expressed in metaphor, alliteration, or rhyme, e.g. holds that, "A visitor or stranger is a king and should be treated as such." Ibrahima would like kids from the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. to visit his homeland. "Senegal is a good country," he says. "If you ever come here, you should know that it's very hot. [But] you can go to the beaches." Senegal's pristine pris·tine adj. 1. a. Remaining in a pure state; uncorrupted by civilization. b. Remaining free from dirt or decay; clean: pristine mountain snow. 2. (unspoiled) beaches are among the world's most beautiful. Yet what is even more appealing, perhaps, is teranga. "People are very warm here," says Aissatou. "They will take care of you." In addition to its teranga, Senegal is famous for its music. Youssou N'Dour Youssou N'Dour IPA: [jusun̩ˈduːʀ] (born October 1, 1959 in Dakar) is a Senegalese singer and percussionist. has become an international superstar by blending traditional Senegalese music with modern sounds. In Dakar, which is known as the rap capital of West Africa, many people enjoy the music of American rappers Tupac Shakur and 50 Cent. A Land of Peace The Senegalese find much to cherish about their tiny nation. But on Goree (gaw-RAY) Island (see map, p. 11), now a historic landmark, there is a haunting A Haunting is a television series on Discovery Channel that, according to its website[1] chronicles the "terrifying true stories of the paranormal told by people who experienced real-life horror tales. reminder of the violent past. For centuries, the island was a major slave-trading post. Today, in one of the old slave houses, visitors can look out the "Door of No Return," through which millions of West Africans West Africa A region of western Africa between the Sahara Desert and the Gulf of Guinea. It was largely controlled by colonial powers until the 20th century. West African adj. & n. were forcibly forc·i·ble adj. 1. Effected against resistance through the use of force: The police used forcible restraint in order to subdue the assailant. 2. Characterized by force; powerful. taken to slave ships. Perhaps that is why peace and freedom are all the more appreciated here. The word jahm, which means "peace" in Wolof, comes up in countless everyday expressions. A common response to "How are you?" is, "At peace only." When asked what her favorite thing is, Aissatou does not hesitate. "Peace," she says. "Without peace, there is no life." FACTS TO KNOW AREA: Senegal has a land area of 75,954 sq mi, about the size of South Dakota South Dakota (dəkō`tə), state in the N central United States. It is bordered by North Dakota (N), Minnesota and Iowa (E), Nebraska (S), and Wyoming and Montana (W). . POPULATION: 10.9 million; 43% urban. LANGUAGES: French (official); many African languages are also spoken. GOVERNMENT: Gained independence from France in 1960, but maintains close ties with France. Presidential-parliamentary democracy; Abdoulaye Wade Abdoulaye Wade (born May 29, 1926[2]) is the third and current President of Senegal, in office since 2000. He is also the Secretary-General of the ruling Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) and has led the party since it was founded in 1974. is President. ECONOMY: 70% of Senegal's people work in agriculture. Senegal's palm-lined beaches draw many tourists. PER CAPITA [Latin, By the heads or polls.] A term used in the Descent and Distribution of the estate of one who dies without a will. It means to share and share alike according to the number of individuals. GDP GDP (guanosine diphosphate): see guanine. *: $1,600. RELIGION: Muslim, 94%; Christian, 5%; traditional African, 1%. LITERACY: Males, 50%; females, 31%. LIFE EXPECTANCY Life Expectancy 1. The age until which a person is expected to live. 2. The remaining number of years an individual is expected to live, based on IRS issued life expectancy tables. : Males, 55 years; females, 57 years. Words to Know * minaret minaret (mĭnərĕt`), tower, used in Islamic architecture, from which the faithful are called to prayer by a muezzin. Most mosques have one or more small towers, which are usually placed at the corners. : a slender tower atop a mosque mosque (mŏsk), building for worship used by members of the Islamic faith. Muhammad's house in Medina (A.D. 622), with its surrounding courtyard and hall with columns, became the prototype for the mosque where the faithful gathered for prayer. , from which Muslims are called to prayer. * polygamy: a practice in which a person has more than one spouse at the same time. * OBJECTIVE Students should understand * what life is like in Senegal--including education, languages, and cultural influences. * WORDS TO KNOW teranga: a word in Wolof (a major language of Senegal) meaning "hospitality" * evolving: gradually changing from one condition or thing to another * jahm: a word in Wolof meaning "peace" * TEACHING STRATEGY Forty-four percent of the Senegalese population is under age 15. (By contrast, the U.S. figure is 21 percent.) Ask students: "What problems might a developing country with a high percentage of youth face?" * BACKGROUND Senegal is a country of many ethnic groups (each with its own language), including the Wolof, Fulani, Serer, Tukolor, Soninke, Malinke, Diola, and Berber peoples  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled to prevent sock puppets of currently blocked or banned users from editing it. .* CRITICAL THINKING MAKING INFERENCES: How might crowded conditions in schools, such as Ibrahima's, affect the quality of education for Senegalese youth? How, in turn, could that affect the nation's future? (Answers will vary, but should note that students probably have a harder time learning such basics as reading and writing in crowded schools and are thus less able to continue their education. A poorly educated populace affects the types of jobs that people can do, as well as the overall economy and quality of life in Senegal.) NOTING DETAILS: Why is French the official language of Senegal? (Senegal did not gain its independence from France until 1960, and it maintains close ties with France.) * ACTIVITY LEARN MORE: Have groups of students look up one aspect of Senegal's history or culture each (agriculture and industry, slavery, French colonialism colonialism Control by one power over a dependent area or people. The purposes of colonialism include economic exploitation of the colony's natural resources, creation of new markets for the colonizer, and extension of the colonizer's way of life beyond its national borders. , etc.). Then have them share what they learn with the rest of the class. STANDARDS SOCIAL STUDIES, GRADES 5-8 * Culture: How the lives of young Senegalese are influenced by the values (peace, hospitality), beliefs, and languages of their country. * Individual development and identity: How Aissatou Camara and Ibrahima Pouye Jr. see their individual goals and beliefs in relation to the society around them. RESOURCES * Barboza, Steven, Door of No Return: The Legend of Goree Island (Penguin Putnam, 1994). Grades 5 & up. * Berg, Elizabeth L., Senegal (Cultures of the World series, Marshall Cavendish, 1999). Grades 7 & up. WEB SITES * Lonely Planet Travel Guide/Senegallonelyplanet.com/destinations/africa/senegal * Virtual Visit of Goree Island webworld.unesco.org/goree Your Turn
WORD MATCH
1. minaret A. hospitality
2. polygamy B. unspoiled
3. evolving C. having more
than one spouse
4. teranga D. mosque tower
5. pristine E. changing
1. D 2. C 3. E 4. A 5. B THINK ABOUT IT Describe the values that Ibrahima and Aissatou share with many Senegalese. Do you share these values? Explain. QUESTIONS 1. What is the capital of Senegal?-- 2. Senegal is bordered on the west by--. 3. Which tiny country is surrounded on three sides by Senegal?-- 4. Is Senegal north or south of the equator?-- 5. Which European country formerly ruled Senegal?-- 6. Which city is located closest to 14[degrees]N, 16[degrees]W?-- 7. What is the capital of Mauritania?-- 8. The Gambia River Gambia River River, western Africa. Rising in Guinea and flowing northwest through Senegal and west through The Gambia to the Atlantic Ocean, it is 700 mi (1,120 km) long. It is the only western African river that is easily accessible to oceangoing shipping. begins in which country?-- 9. What is the approximate distance in miles between the capitals of Senegal and Gambia?-- 10. What is the elevation of Mount Assirik?-- 1. Dakar 2. the Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean [Lat.,=of Atlas], second largest ocean (c.31,800,000 sq mi/82,362,000 sq km; c.36,000,000 sq mi/93,240,000 sq km with marginal seas). Physical Geography Extent and Seas 3. Gambia 4. north 5. France 6. Kaolack 7. Nouakchott 8. Guinea 9. 100 miles 10. 1,020 feet * Match the person or phrase in the left column with the correct description in the right column.
--16. Dakar A. a word meaning "peace"
--17. jahm B. a Senegalese language
--18. polygamy C. a word meaning
"hospitality"
--19. teranga D. Senegal's capital
--20. Wolof E. having more than
one spouse
16. D 17. A 18. E 19. C 20. B |
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