Travel guide Senegal

From the roots to the leaves, the whole peanut plant is consumed in Senegal! We find its seeds in aperitif, roasted and salted, its leaves in the mafé sauce accompanying beef or mutton, its oil in the binders of soaps or its roots in medicinal herbal teas. In short, an essential product for Senegalese households!

It designates the Senegalese people's favourite ritual, that of having tea with family or friends, around long discussions. A real moment of sharing and relaxation, where one takes the time to enjoy three glasses of mint tea. "The first is bitter like life, the second is strong like love and the last is sweet like death. Unbelievable!

Specific to the ecosystem of the Sine-Saloum and Casamance regions, the bolong is an arm of the sea subject to the rhythms of the tides, which can sink up to 250 km inland. It is bordered by mangrove to mangrove swamps and its waters are rich in fish, oysters and cockles. It is also home to many species of birds.

It is in these stalls, sometimes makeshift, that dibi, grilled meat is bought, generally mutton, but which is available according to availability. Well seasoned, it is served in bread, with onions and sometimes French fries. However beware of the tourista, these establishments are far from the recommended hygiene standards.

A common species in the savannahs of West Africa, the shea tree, which means "butter tree" in Wolof, grows in eastern Senegal, near Kédougou. Its nuts are used to make a very greasy butter, renowned for its moisturizing and nourishing properties. It is sold raw on the markets or used in cosmetic products.

Popularized in the 80s by Youssou N'dour, mbalax embodies the Senegalese musical identity. This highly distinctive and easily recognizable music mixes ternary rhythms and percussion, and is accompanied by frenzied dancing. In cabs, in nightclubs or at a popular party, mbalax is consumed without moderation!

The palaver is a whole art of living in Senegal. In the shade of a big tree, we discuss the village's problems and try to solve them. Sometimes, these long discussions are idle, just to pass the time, to have tea. It also takes on the meaning of "tchatche" during negotiations, a technique to better convince.

The name of the country would come from the Wolof "sunu gal", our dugout canoe. These long boats, often dug out of a single tree trunk, are mainly used by fishermen, who overload them with fish. In Mbour, Kayar and Saint-Louis, their alignments offer a colourful snapshot and the return of the fishermen, a striking spectacle.

Whether in Arabic, Wolof or French, greetings are of paramount importance in Senegal. To address someone without having greeted them is even a real affront! On the telephone, in the street and in offices, people are always asked if the person is well. News often drags on from family to work.

A leitmotif throughout the country, teranga refers to Senegalese hospitality: humble, warm and generous. Much more than a value, it's a state of mind shared by all ethnic groups, in a desire to live together harmoniously. From a warm welcome to a wide range of invitations, the Senegalese know how to welcome you!

It is the national dish of Senegal, listed as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Made of rice cooked in a tomato sauce, it is served with fish with a spicy stuffing and fresh vegetables, such as white cabbage and sweet potatoes. Often on the menu, it is eaten with friends or family, with a spoon or by hand.

Incense based on bark, aromatic plants and resin, it is the weapon of seduction of Senegalese women, each of which has its own recipe! Their fragrances, musky and heady, quickly turn men's heads. Traditionally, thiouraye is used to embalm houses and clothes, but also for mystical purposes.