Africa Unchained: Dyana Gaye | Filmmaker

Dyana Gaye  

Africa Unchained: Dyana Gaye | Filmmaker: In Shadow and Act : French/Senegalese director Dyana Gaye , whose short film, the vibrant, unorthodox musical Saint Louis Blues , was o...  Read the Rest of the story




Visit our page for other Senegalese filmmakers and Artist.

Senegal Souls Top Seven Things to do in Dakar

Top "7" Seven Things to do in Dakar

(In no particular order)

African Renaissance Monument

Things to do in Dakar

African Renaissance Monument  
The 49-metre bronze statue is a representation of a man, woman and child emerging from a volcano is taller than the Statue of Liberty, stands on a hill overlooking the capital, Dakar. It marks Senegal's 50 years of Independence.

Things to do in Dakar

Senegal Soccer Football

Soccer... Senegal Football
How about a game of soccer or football as the rest of the world calls it.Even if you are not a fan you will be before you leave you will be.  It is organized chaos with blowing of horns, live bands ,and of course its Africa.. the drums. If that's not enough excitement for you wait until you see the cheerleaders. The football season begins in February, and Dakar's biggest team, plays at the 60,000-capacity all-seater Léopold Sédar Senghor national stadium  

Market HLM -Shopping

Things to do Dakar

HLM  Market

Marche' HLM, " HLM is pronounced " ash-el-em and stands for Habitations a Loyer Modere, Meaning  affordable Rent Housing." Opened in 1976, this African fabric market has become one of the largest  African markets in West Africa. In recent years, it has became a favorite destination for Senegales . They can find cloth at the best possible prices.You have your choice from hundreds of rolls of wax-dyed bazin (dyed fabrics beaten to a shine with wooden clubs), vibrant prints, embroidered cloth, lace and silk. You can get matching shoes, bags and jewelry at the same place. 

Goree Island -House of Slaves

Thing to do in Dakar

Gorée is a small island 30 minutes from the city of Dakar, it was a minor port and site of European settlement along the coast. Gorée is known as the location of the House of Slaves. 

House of Slaves

The House of Slaves and its Door of No Return is a museum and memorial to the Atlantic Slave Trade on tiny Goree Island, 3 km off the coast of the city of Dakar, Senegal.It is said to memorialize the final exit point of slaves from Africa. Historians differ on how many, if any African slaves were actually held in this building, as well as the relative importance of Goree Island as a point on the Atlantic Slave Trade,but visitors from Africa, Europe and the Americas, along with world leaders, continue to make it an important place to remember the human toll of African slavery.Don't forget to visit the Woman's Museum on the island.

Youssou N'Dour

Things to do in Dakar

 Club Thiossane

Just north of Marché Sandaga it is the hottest club in West Africa. Owned by the legendary Youssou N'Dour, and when he's not touring the man himself performs here most Friday and Saturday nights. It is located at  Sicap Street 10, just say the name( it's pronounced Cho-sahn ) every cab driver knows the way.

L'Institut Français 

L'Institut Français  Dakar

Things to do in Dakar

The French Institute Dakar, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009, combines the functions and activities of the former French Cultural Centre and the former Alliance Franco-Senegalese Dakar (and St. Louis)   It is the place to study French, history, and culture of the peoples ruled by French colonialism in Africa ,You can relax in the gardens, stroll the art gallery,watch a French movie then dine at its famous restaurant.

Mosqué de la Divinité 

Mosque de la Divinite

Things to do in Dakar

Mosque of the Divinity was built by Mohamed Gueye Gorgui Seyni.Driving north on the coastal road, you'll see the beautiful seaside Mosqué de la Divinité perched on the coast near Les Mamelles quartier. You may visit during the day and it is free.

Casamance Senegal - The African Riviera

History of Casamance  The Casamance was subject to both French and Portuguese colonial efforts before a border was negotiated in 1888 between the French colony of Senegal and Portuguese Guinea (now Guinea-Bissau) to the south. Portugal lost possession of Casamance, then the commercial hub   of its colony. Casamance, to this day, has preserved the local variant of Kriol known as Ziguinchor Creole, and the members of the deep-rooted Creole community carry Portuguese surnames like Da Silva, Carvalho and Fonseca. Interest in Portuguese colonial heritage has been revived in order to exalt a distinct identity, particularly of Baixa Casamança.
Though the Jola are the dominant ethnic group in the Casamance, they represent only 4% of the total population of Senegal. The Wolof dominate the nation as a whole. The Jola's sense of economic disenfranchisement within greater Senegal contributed to the founding of a separatist movement advocating the independence for Casamance.

Cassmance Map Senegal

 
Further information: Casamance Conflict  is a low-level civil war that has been waged between the Government of Senegal and the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) since 1982 over the question of independence for the Casamance region.

Climate of Casamance
The climate is low-lying and hot, with some hills to the southeast. The Region has average rainfall greater than the rest of Senegal.

Economy of Casamance
The economy of the Casamance relies largely on rice cultivation and tourism. It also has excellent beaches along its coastline, particularly at Cap Skirring.

See our page for other Senegal Destinations

Akon - Senegal International Rap Star

Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon ( /ˈeɪkɒn/; born April 16, 1973), is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.

Akon

 Akon rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first single from his debut album Trouble. His second album, Konvicted, earned him a Grammy Award nomination of the single "Smack That". He has since founded two record labels, Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution.

Akon often sings hooks for other artists and is currently credited with over 300 guest appearances and 45 Billboard Hot 100 songs. Akon has worked with numerous performers such as Dr. Dre, Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Quincy Jones, Eminem and Whitney Houston. He is the first solo artist to hold both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice.He has had six Grammy Awards nominations and has produced many hits for artists such as Lady Gaga, Colby O'Donis and Leona Lewis. Lady Gaga and T-Pain are two artists who were given their chance at fame by Akon.

Akon

Akon's Official Fan Page 

Akon was born in St. Louis, Missouri, which his parents arranged so that he would have American citizenship, and not encounter future immigration problems. He is the son of Senegalese percussionist Mor Thiam, Akon was raised in a musical setting and taught to play several instruments including the djembe. At age 7, he moved with his family to Union City, New Jersey, splitting his time between the United States and Senegal until settling in Newark, New Jersey. 

Visits Wikipedia for more info on Akon the Senegal Rap Star.

Visit our Senegal Music page.

Senegal in Top Ten of Growing African Economys

That's a head scratcher. How could a tiny, land-locked African nation, best known for Idi Amin, lead a list predicting economic growth? There's more: Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Senegal, Malawi, and Zambia round out the top ten. Hausmann and Hidalgo project that these countries will grow faster than most others in the world, including emerging market favorites Turkey, Brazil, and China. In fact, thirteen of the top thirty countries for growth are in sub-Saharan Africa. Sweden, France and Japan rank 100, 101, and 102...read the full story  African growth? It's complicated

 Dayo Olopade

 Dayo Olopade is a journalist and author of the forthcoming book: "The Bright Continent: How African Ideas are Changing the World." She has written extensively on global politics, development, and technology for international publications. She holds a BA in Literature and in African Studies from Yale University, where she is currently studying law.

Please visit or Senegal Current Events page for Senegal News.

Cinq Centimes Cookies Senegal

 Cinq Centimes Cookies senegal

The Five-Cent Cookie, or in French, Le Cinq Centimes, a peanut cookie popular in marketplaces. Make a simplified version of the Cinq Centimes (the Five-Cent Cookie) you find in the market places of Dakar. Serve them later in the evening after your Senegalese dinner. Kids love these Le Cinq Centimes cookies and they are just the perfect snack size.
For the fast and easy recipe please visit the French cooking page for the Le Cinq Centimes Cookies

Please visit our recipe page for other African Food Recipes

US Embassy Special Edition January 2012

SPECIAL EDITION
In light of recent political demonstrations and the upcoming Senegalese Presidential election, the Consular Section has decided to print a "Special Edition" of Consular News. This edition will focus on emergency prepar-edness and define the Embassy’s role in the unlikely event that an evacuation is being considered.

Please know that the purpose of this edi-tion is to be a planning tool only. It is not intended to create anxiety or serve as an indi-cator of things to come. It is too early to predict the outcome of the elections and/or the reaction of the residents of Senegal.
However, using the past as future indica-tors, there are certain activities that the Em-bassy does expect
could occur. These are large demonstrations, particularly following the decision of the Constitutional Council ex-pected around January 27; or immediately following election day, February 26. Demon-strations are generally peaceful, but there is always the possibility of violent outbreaks. The Embassy expects that demonstrations and/or sporadic violence would be short lived (a few hours, over a day or two) rather than be on-going for an undetermined length of time.

No one can be fully prepared for the un-expected; however, certain variables can be controlled. This edition will encourage all U.S. citizens to examine their emergency preparedness.
December 26 - January 26:
Candidates file papers
Around January 27:
Constitutional Council announces candidate list; rules on legality of a third term
February 6:
Campaigning officially begins
Mid-February:
Voter card distribution stops
February 26:
First round of voting takes place
March 18:
Second round of voting takes place
(if necessary).

United States Embassy
 Avenue Jean XXIIIBP49
Dakar, Senegal
consulardakar@state.gov

http://dakar.usembassy.gov 

African Fabric

African Fabric -Textiles

Adinkra cloth

Adinkra cloth is made by embroidering wide panels of dyed cotton and stamping them with African symbols. There are many symbols, ranging from crescents to abstracts forms; each of the symbols carries it own meaning.The African fabric is produced in Ghana.

Adire cloth this Africa fabric comes from Nigeria. There are two types of Adire. One is made by tie 

Adire Cloth

dying or by stitching a design with raffia. The second method is painted freehand or stenciling.

Batik cloth you make patterns by applying melted wax on the fabric. A design is drawn onto the fabric. To produce a multicolor effect, colors are applied one top of the other, beginning with the lightest color.

Ewe cloth is similar to the Asantes’ kente cloth. This African Fabric is named after the Ewe people who originated from the southeastern region of Ghana. There are two types of Ewe cloth. Wealthy people wear a type of Ewe cloth that is
elaborately decorated. The other type is made from simple cotton fibers and display modest patterns. 

Khasa consists of heavy woolen striped blankets that are woven by the Fulani of Mali. The textile is typically 6 to 8 feet long and woven in 8-inch wide strips. Although the traditional blanket is white, it is also common to have
yellow, black, or red strips. Khasa is usually ordered for the cold season.

Kente cloth originated from the Fante people of Ghana, who sold this African fabric in baskets. Kente patterns have religious, political, and even financial significance. Today, there’s a pattern to indicate the importance of almost any special occasion, and colors are chosen to reflect customs and beliefs.  Because of its vibrant beauty and regal legacy as a cloth fit for kings and queens, authentic Kente remains one of the most popular fabrics on the market today.

Korhogo cloth is made by the Senufo people of the Ivory Coast. Approximately 5-inch strips are hand-woven. Mud is painted on the cloth to create patterns of animals, men in ceremonial dress, buildings, or geometric designs. The soil used to make this mud is usually black, brown, or rust and is collected throughout West  Africa. It is used for clothing as well as for pillows, wall hangings, and folding screens.

Kuba Cloth

Kuba cloth originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo (also known as Zaire). This textile is tightly woven using strands from raffia palm leaves. Raffia strands are also interwoven between the warp and weft to create
intricate geometric patterns. Kuba cloth comes in two styles. One has a rich and velvety pile; the other has a flat weave will little or no pile.  Kuba cloth is used for ceremonial skirts, wall hangings, or mats for sitting and sleeping. 

African lace denotes brightly coloured industrially embroidered textiles that define the image of Nigeria worldwide. Factually though, “the specific designs
manufactured for the West African market go back to the early 1960s when commercial relations with the newly independent state of Nigeria began. Since then, African lace has become extremely popular in Nigeria and the resulting clothes have been adopted as traditional dress.

Manjaka cloth is woven in 7-inch wide strips that are sewn together; this textile is distinguished by its intricate geometric patterns. Manjaka originated from Guinea-Bissau and has complex designs. 

Mud cloth originated from Mali and once worn by hunters. Mud cloth is made from narrow strips of hand-spun and hand-woven cotton, which are sewn together in various widths and lengths. The cloth is first dyed with a yellow

solution extracted from the bark of the M’Peku tree and the leaves and stems of the Wolo tree; the solution acts as a fixative. Then, using carved bamboo or wooden sticks, symbolic designs are applied in mud that has been collected from riverbanks and allowed to ferment over time. After the mud is applied to the cloth, it is dried in the sun. The process is repeated several times to obtain a rich color that is deeply embedded  in the cloth. 

African Brocade fabric is made from 100% cotton. Unique designs are intricately woven into shiny and starchy fabric. This cloth is also called Basin fabric. Brocade or Basin fabric is very popular in West Africa .

African Print

African Print fabrics are reproductions and machine made.This fabric can endure heavy wear and tear.