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A blend of indigenous life in the rural countryside and metropolitan culture in urban centers, Senegal has been a small, yet prominent country on Africa's western coast. In this comprehensive study of contemporary Senegalese life, readers will learn how daily lifestyles are celebrated through both religious and secular customs. Students can investigate how Senegal's oral storytelling, Islamic roots, and French colonialism have shaped literature and media in today's society.From the street to the studio, the topic of art in Senegalese life is also covered.Ross also delves into architectural styles and modern housing in urban environments, while also covering typical cuisine and traditional fashion.Readers will learn about the typical Senegalese family as a social and economic unit, and will see how music, dance, and sports play an integral role in their lives.Ideal for high school students and general readers, this volume in the Culture and Customs of Africa series is a perfect addition to any library's reference collection.

Customer Reviews (2)

An animated cultural-social portraiture
Senegal camouflaged face is unmasked.
Senegal comes to life in this book.
The depiction of the day by day life, social sceneries, traditions and mode de vie is refreshing.
Senegal is a forgotten or ignored destination for those who solely search for Tia Maria and the glitters of Acapulco.
Yet, Senegal natural beauty, silver beaches and forests are wonders on earth.
The book is written by a concerned and well-informed writer. He painted us vivid tableaus of Senegalese arts, literature and music.
However, he could not free himself from the stigma of colonialism. This should not diminish the quality of his book.

This survey of uniquely Senegalese culture is involving and exciting
Advanced high school to college-level collections strong in African studies will welcome the specific volumes in 'Culture and Customs of Africa', of which CULTURE AND CUSTOMS OF SENEGAL is one. From literature and academics to family and gender, music and sports, this survey of uniquely Senegalese culture is involving and exciting - and perfect for reports.
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Describes the geography, history, economy, lifestyle, and religion of Senegal, as well as its people, languages, and festivals. ... Read more

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Frederic C. Schaffer challenges the assumption often made by American scholars that democracy has been achieved in foreign countries when criteria such as free elections are met. Elections, he argues, often have cultural underpinnings that are invisible to outsiders. To examine grassroots understandings of democratic institutions and political concepts, Schaffer conducted fieldwork in Senegal, a mostly Islamic and agrarian country with a long history of electoral politics. Schaffer discovered that ideas of "demokaraasi" held by Wolof-speakers often reflect concerns about collective security. Many Senegalese see voting as less a matter of choosing leaders than of reinforcing community ties that may be called upon in times of crisis.

By looking carefully at language, Schaffer demonstrates that institutional arrangements do not necessarily carry the same meaning in different cultural contexts. Democracy in Translation asks how social scientists should investigate the functioning of democratic institutions in cultures dissimilar from their own, and raises larger issues about the nature of democracy, the universality of democratic ideals, and the practice of cross-cultural research. ... Read more

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I have a personal love for Senegal as the result of extremely pleasant times spent in Dakar, on Senegal’s exquisite beaches and in the surrounding countryside during leave from Peace Corps service in Tchad. There are few places on earth where the human experience is as full and rich as in West Africa, and for those from elsewhere fortunate enough to work, study or travel in Senegal and to know Senegalese people the memories remain vivid throughout life. I have been back to Senegal several times for extended stays and have always entertained the idea that someday, perhaps, I would enjoy living there.

I have always found Senegal to be one of the most culturally accessible countries in Africa, probably because of its extreme cultural diversity. People here are used to differences among people – they have been living with them for centuries. There are few other places in Africa where so much potent diversity largely co-exists without disharmony – although the so-called civil war in the Southwest that smoldered for years proved that even sophisticated, tolerant, good-hearted people like the Senegalese are not immune to modern diseases that feed on ancient differences.

As far as expatriate living, Dakar has all the conveniences of any contemporary city, and although the cost of living can be quite high if you are addicted to European and other foreign goods, to the extent that you are able to live “on the economy” you will do fine on a modest budget. The crux of the matter is language; if you speak French well, there is no problem. If you do not, it would be a very good idea to have at least moderately good French well in hand before you arrive. Without doubt the best way to get proficient enough in French to make a successful life for yourself as an expatriate in Senegal is to go through a two week language immersion course in France prior to heading for Senegal. Once you have French well-enough in hand, you will be able to arrive in Dakar and hit the ground running as far as finding a place to live, making your way around the city, making new friends, joining clubs and sports activities, and setting about accomplishing what you came to Senegal to do, whether that involves non-stop relaxing, teaching, entrepreneurship, or any other reason you might have for coming to the Pearl of West Africa. Once you are established you would do well to go back to school to learn a bit of Wolof, since this is the true ‘lingua franca’ of the country, with French spoken widely by educated people but not by the majority, who are illiterate and speak only Wolof and whatever their own dialect may be.

This book is focused on explaining as much as possible about the cultural differences you will encounter as you get to know people from different Senegalese cultural backgrounds. As an American living in Senegal you will encounter a great deal that will seem exotic at first. Just keep in mind that although Senegalese are a sophisticated nation American expatriates are going to seem pretty exotic to many of them – so it is definitely a two-way street. Not that you won’t run into plenty of Senegalese and others who are very familiar with the US and with Americans – its just that for most Senegalese America is a big, far-away, largely unfathomable country. A respectful attitude, a healthy curiosity, a sense of humor, and a grasp of French, will practically guarantee that you will gradually come to see your new Senegalese friends and neighbors not as exotic beings but as people with a lot in common with you, as they will come to see you the same way.
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Brushing up....
I purchased this book to learn about Senegal.It has been very interesting and I'm enjoying it a lot. ... Read more

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AFROCENTRIC is a collection of poetry about the African life, in tangent to outside influences. It was written over a span of seven years, in which the poet did journal the nostalgia, nurture and nativism critical to the maintenance of identity.
AFROCENTRIC begins with the poem, I KNOW HARMATTAN. It is about the dry wind that blows through West Africa everyNovember to March. The Harmattan is normally likened to the nature of life; dreary and dear at the same time. It covers subjects such as personal independence, in THIS AFTERNOON;national independence, in TO NKRUMAH, and attitudinal independence, in AFROCENTRIC.The poems cover the vast landscape of human emotions in an effort to find meaning in existence.
This anthology is about the fragmentation that occurs when one is exposed to the rest of the world; an experience that can be for the better or worse. It is a Ghanaian poet's merging of the past, present and future into an existence that makes sense. ... Read more

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Book Review

Many people merely dream of traveling around the world. This highly unusual man acts on his dreams. Every time he starts to wonder about an interesting place he has not been, he simply packs his bags, grabs a camera and goes to the airport to claim his seat. Soon he is in Brazil, China, Africa or anywhere there are people to meet, things to see and do, like taking pictures, buying art, shaking hands, asking questions and being entertained by professional guides and story tellers. "Hello, how are you, good to meet you. I'm Leon Freeman from Memphis, Tennessee." I found his introduction by a tribesman in Papua New Guinea as a cousin the most striking story of them all.

Mr. Freeman retired from his school teaching career and immediately set out to explore the world. Over the years he visited five continents, sixty-two countries and a string of islands ringing the globe like pearls. He discovered one satisfying fundamental fact: in human essence, we are all one. Whatever differences there might be in our outer physical appearance or our diverse cultural extensions, there are no qualitative differences to the principle: 'all human babies are created equal.'

In this picture book, Mr. Freeman provides the viewer with unforgettable, vicarious experiences to enjoy time and time again for many years to come.

- Maia Jaribu Ajanaku, SMU - Retired Teacher, Entrepreneur ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A BRILLIANT, vivid, and poignant Peace Corps Africa story
My Peace Corps experience was in Dominican Republic -- Susan Lowerre writes like an angel about her difficult, frustrating, wonderful time in Senegal. The physical [including health] challenges she depicts about her service in Senegal reminded me that I had served in a relatively "easy" Peace Corps country. Despite her travails in-country, what comes shining through in her account is her headlong embrace of life and her love for Senegal and its people. It's an unforgettable story.

I recommend this book to anyone -- especially, of course, former, present, and potential Peace Corps Volunteers -- with an interest in understanding other cultures.

Okay, but enough already!
I enjoyed this book in the beginning. You can certainly tell that Susan is not a writer, but she gets her point across. The reader is presented with a vivid picture of her life in Africa, the challenges she faces, decisions and judgements she makes along the way. Eventually, though, it gets to the point where you grow weary of her self-congratulatory comments. Over and over you read, "That woman wouldn't survive a day in my village," or "Senegal is where I belong, not in this clean, plastic world (America)."

Also, unless you care to read a whole lot about fisheries and the work done in them, there is not a whole lot of dimension to the work. She comes across and bitter, angry and self-righteous much of the time, and it gets old.

Peace Corps is a choice for a way of life. I, she and several thousand have chosen it now and in the past. Though it is challenging and difficult at times, it's a choice. I see no need to condescend others for making a different lifestyle choice.

An okay story, but I recommend "Mango Elephants in the Sun" hands down over this one.

UNDER THE NEEM TREE
Not a glorified look at the Peace Corps but a realistic, gritty account of both the trials and tribulations of serving in the Corps. Lowerre tells how her romantic expectations of life in Africa contrasted with the reality shesoon encountered- the heat, the hard life and even the parasites thatinvaded her body. Even so, she finds herself becoming attached to thepeople she lives among, to the country and a life that is far differentthan the one she expected. An excellent, honest memoir.

A must read for potential Peace Corps volunteers.
I am a two time Peace Corps volunteer and "Under the Neem Tree" truely captures the Peace Corps experience of many volunteers.The small accomplishments, the major disappoint- ments, the challenge of trying to stay physically as well as mentally healthy are all part of this volunteers story. ... Read more