“Miriam Webster defines culture as a customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social groups. “ (Merriam-Webster, 2018). With defining culture it is necessary to remember that it is more than just words and a definition in a book. Culture is different from place to place and region to region but the one common denominator among all cultures is that cultures is and will always be a sum of its people. With that being said culture is often found to be the binding force among people of many different nations, colors, creeds, and religions. However sometimes culture is the thing that can drive a wedge and divide a people as well. A sense of national identity is not always shared even in some of the smallest of nations. Throughout the Continent of the Africa there is a vast wealth of culture. This is extremely prevalent in the rich cultural history of East Africa. No country embodies this cultural richness more than Senegal. The history of Senegal is very old and goes back along way even before colonization.
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Throughout the centuries stretching all the way from the fifth to 15th century the country of Senegal was dominated by many different empires. The Ghanaian, Almoravid, Malian, and Sungai make up the social structure and cultural diversity that is present today. From the 16th to 19th century Senegal was the most important African nation of the slave trade. Still today stands Goree Island a 900 meter long island that at one time was host to approximately 28 slave houses and was once the most strategic trading point for all the transatlantic slave trader. Men, women, and children from all over Africa were held here and trader before making the voyage to America. It is estimated that from this island a number totaling in the millions died while being transported across the Atlantic to North and South American slave trade post. It was not until 1848 when slavery was abolished in all French Colonies that the use of the Senegal and its island were stopped. Along with slavery Senegal has also been a major trading port throughout the developing history of African trade routes. In the 17th century Senegal was pivotal in allowing the access of goods such as salt, silver, gold, and ivory to travel to major powers of the time like England, France, and Portugal. This prosperity in trade has lasted the time test stretching well into the 19th century and well into today with the ports and trade roots thriving from the Gum Arabic wood trade. Peanuts, phosphates, cotton, and fish and fishing products are among some of the major exports that allow trade to continue. “Fishing products, mostly canned tuna, provide direct and indirect employment for more than 150,000 people. As part of its diversification policy, Senegal became one of the first African countries to develop tourism as a major national economic activity. Cash crops include rice, cowpeas, maize, sugar, and livestock. Cement, refined sugar, fertilizers, and tobacco products are exported to neighboring countries. Food, capital goods, and petroleum are imported from France, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Algeria, China, and Japan. (Diajayette, 2007). ” The Casamance conflicted ignited in March of 1982 due to counter-productive and violent repression of a demonstration. People were attacked, elders were injured and shrines were desecrated. As in many regions of Africa women and children
Throughout the centuries stretching all the way from the fifth to 15th century the country of Senegal was dominated by many different empires. The Ghanaian, Almoravid, Malian, and Sungai make up the social structure and cultural diversity that is present today. From the 16th to 19th century Senegal was the most important African nation of the slave trade. Still today stands Goree Island a 900 meter long island that at one time was host to approximately 28 slave houses and was once the most strategic trading point for all the transatlantic slave trader. Men, women, and children from all over Africa were held here and trader before making the voyage to America. It is estimated that from this island a number totaling in the millions died while being transported across the Atlantic to North and South American slave trade post. It was not until 1848 when slavery was abolished in all French Colonies that the use of the Senegal and its island were stopped. Along with slavery Senegal has also been a major trading port throughout the developing history of African trade routes. In the 17th century Senegal was pivotal in allowing the access of goods such as salt, silver, gold, and ivory to travel to major powers of the time like England, France, and Portugal. This prosperity in trade has lasted the time test stretching well into the 19th century and well into today with the ports and trade roots thriving from the Gum Arabic wood trade. Peanuts, phosphates, cotton, and fish and fishing products are among some of the major exports that allow trade to continue. “Fishing products, mostly canned tuna, provide direct and indirect employment for more than 150,000 people. As part of its diversification policy, Senegal became one of the first African countries to develop tourism as a major national economic activity. Cash crops include rice, cowpeas, maize, sugar, and livestock. Cement, refined sugar, fertilizers, and tobacco products are exported to neighboring countries. Food, capital goods, and petroleum are imported from France, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Algeria, China, and Japan. (Diajayette, 2007). ” The Casamance conflicted ignited in March of 1982 due to counter-productive and violent repression of a demonstration. People were attacked, elders were injured and shrines were desecrated. As in many regions of Africa women and children