Tirailleur Sénégalais (Senegalese Riflemen) were Senegalese soldiers who fought for France during the first half of the last century. Today is an official Senegalese holiday…for more on the history of the Tirailleurs click HERE.
Tag Archives: holiday
Senegal Independence Day
Senegal gained partial independence from France today in 1960 with complete independence achieved upon the dissolution of the Mali Federation on August 20th of the same year.
Brief video of Independence Day in Senegal…
Kontaan Ees At!
Happy New Years! Bonne Années!
And here is a video, although not of a New Years celebration but a celebration none the less…
Happy Tabaski
Today is the Muslim holiday Tabaski. In most Muslim countries it is called Eid al-Adha but in much of West Africa it is called Tabaski. Tabaski is the commemoration of the Biblical patriarch Abraham’s (Ibrahim in Arabic) willingness to sacrifice his son as commanded by God. On Tabaski a sheep (or a goat) is slaughtered as a symbolic gesture of the ram that God substituted for Abraham’s son.
Youssou N’dour & Super Etoile performing “Tabaski” in the studio.
Below is a slide show of a Tabaski preparation and celebration in Dakar, Senegal (warning: a few of the pictures are of the slaughter so if you are squeamish to that sort of thing be aware!)
