The senegalese culture

With a population of more than 12 million people, Senegal is located in the westermost Africa. This country has a rich and varied culture dating back centuries.

Music and dance play an integral role, and distinctive traditional music such as Yela, the rhythms of which mimic the sound of grain being pounded by female villagers, is still practiced by many people in Senegal. Musical instruments such as the kora and hoddu are still played during celebrations in many parts of the country.

Mbalax (or Mbalakh) is the national popular dance music of Senegal. This dance is a fusion of popular Western music and dance such as jazz, soul, Latin, and rock blended with sabar, the traditional drumming and dance music of Senegal. The genre’s name derived from the heavy use of accompanying rhythms used in sabar called mbalax.

In addition to its rich musical culture, Senegal is famous across Africa for the quality of its jewelry. Local artisans sell their exquisitely crafted gold and silver jewelry in regional markets all over the country, and the large amber necklaces traditionally worn by Fulani women are a common sight.

Wrestling, the famous sport in Senegal

Wrestling is a national passion in Senegal; the Senegalese wrestling is a type of folk wrestling traditionally performed by the Serer people and now a national sport in the country. The Senegalese form of wrestling traditionally allows blows with the hands, the only one of the West African traditions to do so. As a larger confederation and championship, wrestling has developed since the 1990s, Senegalese fighters now practice both forms, the international one and the traditional version, the strking one.

The Senegalese food

The foods and cuisine of Senegal is considered one of the richest and most varied of West Africa. This is because of the fact that the cuisine and recipes of Senegal have been influenced not only by other West African countries, but also by its northern Arab neighbors like Mauritania and Morocco with whom they share their religious affiliation. Furthermore Senegalese food has also been influenced by French and Portuguese cuisine through colonialism and trade. All these influences and fusions make Senegalese food to have one of the richest flavors on the continent.

While Fish is really common, Meat isn’t used that frequent in most Senegalese dishes. Some regions have local dishes which include goat or sheep meat, but the most common meat used in Senegalese dishes is chicken. Millet and Rice are one of the most important staple foods in Senegal. Often Millet is prepared in the form of Couscous or in a similar way like other west african Fufu. Often used vegetables in Senegalese recipes are tomatoes, cabbage, carrots and eggplant and okra. While peanuts, especially peanut sauce also has an place in Senegalese cuisine, like in the famous Mafé dish.