Figure 1.-- Here we see a Senegalese child in the 1960s during the first decade of independence. He sems all decked out for a special occassion. |
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Senegal is a country in the extreme west of West Africa just north of the Gulf of Guinea. It is on the border between arid Arab North Africa and more well watered African Equatorial Africa. The country is mainly a low-lying country. There is a semi-desert area in the north and northeast and lush tropical forests in the southwest. The largest rivers include the Senegal in the more arid north and the Casamance in the southern tropical climate region. In 1973 Senegal and six other nations created the West African Economic Community. When rising oil prices and fluctuations in the price of peanuts, a major export crop, ruined the economy in the 1970s, Senghor reversed course. He emphasized new industries such as tourism and fishing. Politically, the so-called passive revolution allowed limited opposition. It was France's most important sub-Saharan African colony. The Portuguese reached the Cape Verde Islnds off Senegal early in the effort of moving south along the coast of Africa, but made no effort to settle the mainland (15th century). The French established a fort (17th century). Senegal became an important center of the French slave trade. Île de Gorée was particularly important. Britain seized Senegal as part of the Seven Years War (1763). Britain returned Senegal to France after the Napoleonic Wars (1817), but kept control of the Gambia River. France granted autonomy within the French Community (1958). The first president was Leopold S. Senghor. Senegal joined with Sudan to form the Mali Federation(1959), but shortly withdrew (1960). France granted full independence (1960). Senghor replaced multi-party democracy whichbFrance helped to establish with an authoritarian regime. He was a noted poet, but ith no knowledge of economics. He is described as attemting to become a “black-skinned Frenchman,” a quest he ultimately found to be unobtainable. He championed 'African socialism,' Like most African leaders assuming power at the time od decononizatuon, little credit was given go the value of free-market capitaism. He expanded government involvement in the economy through a series of four-year plans. They proved to be economic disasters ahd extremely wasteful. The official language is French because there are so many different African languages. The economy is based on agriculture, fishing, and livestock raising. Peanuts are an important export. Tourism is also of some importance.
Senegal is a country in the extreme west of West Africa just north of the Gulf of Guinea. It is on the border between arid Arab North Africa and more well watered African Equatorial Africa. The country is mainly a low-lying country. There is a semi-desert area in the north and northeast and lush tropical forests in the southwest. The largest rivers include the Senegal in the more arid north and the Casamance in the southern tropical climate region.
The Portuguese reached the Cape Verde Islnds off Senegal early in the effort of moving south along the coast of Africa, but made no effort to settle the mainland (15th century). The French established a fort (17th century). Senegal became an important center of the French slave trade. Île de Gorée was particularly important. Britain seized Senegal as part of the Seven Years War (1763). Britain returned Senegal to France after the Napoleonic Wars (1817), but kept control of the Gambia River. France granted autonomy within the French Community (1958). The first president was Leopold S. Senghor. Senegal joined with Sudan to form the Mali Federation(1959), but shortly withdrew (1960). France granted full independence (1960). Senghor replaced multi-party democracy whichbFrance helped to establish with an authoritarian regime. He was a noted poet, but like most of the new African leaders, with no knowledge of economics. He is described as attemting to become a “black-skinned Frenchman,” a quest he ultimately found to be unobtainable. He championed 'African socialism,' Like most African leaders assuming power at the time of decononizatuon, little credit was given go the value of free-market capitaism. He expanded government involvement in the economy through a series of four-year plans. They proved to be economic disasters ahd extremely wasteful. The official language is French because there are so many different African languages.
The economy is based on agriculture, fishing, and livestock raising. Peanuts are an important export. Tourism is also of some importance. Senegal and six other nations created the West African Economic Community (1973). When rising oil prices and fluctuations in the price of peanuts, a major export crop, ruined the economy in the 1970s, President Senghor reversed course. He emphasized new industries such as tourism and fishing. Politically, the so-called passive revolution allowed limited opposition. It was France's most important sub-Saharan African colony.
We notice Sennegalese boys wearing a variety of styles and garments. Senegal because of its geographic location north of the equator in West Africa has a very warm climate. As a result very little clothing was requied, especially for children. This was how children dressed traditionlly with some decorative touches. These reaituinal pattrns continued inti the early-20th century but we begin to see European styles becoming adopted, a first just in the cities. Gradually simple shirts and shorts become very common. Boys commonly wear simple shorts and shorts. We also see pan-African styles becoming popular epecially after World War II. Senegal seems to have been importat in popularizing these styles, in part because it was France's most important sub-Saharan colony. The most important male garment is the the Segalese kaftan, an ankle-length pullover robe with long bell sleeves. The inspiration looks to have been Muslim styles. The term in the Wolof language is a 'mbubb' which in French it known as a 'boubo'. The kaftan is worn with matching drawstring pants called 'tubay'. These kaftan suits are normally made of cotton brocade or synthetic fabrics, sometimes with lace trim. They are worn throughout West Africa, often with a kufi cap. This is not a work outfit, but a dress outfit or casual wear for middle0class or well-to-do people. We rarely, however, see boys wearing them, probably because of cost and simple shirt and shorts are more practical and comfortable. We also see African-style shirts called dashikis. This is a garment we do see boys wearing to some limited extent, presumably because of its simplicity.
We do not have much information on boys' activities in Senegal. The most important at least since independence has been education. Othr importantv activities we want to cover are the arts, ceremonies, games, religion, and sports, among other activities. Many of these are modern activities, bur the arts, ceremonies, and games will have pre-colonial roots. There are often clothing and costuming associated with these activities. Dance is the easuest of the arts to capture with photography as is often a window into prepcolonial culture. . As is the case throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the primary sport of interest to boys is football or soccer. Hopefully Senegal readers will help with insights into these interesting topics.
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