Senegal

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=__**Map of Senegal**__ =



=__Geography__ =


 * Senegal is located in western Africa bordering the North Atlantic Ocean. It is the most western country in Africa. Countries that border it are Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Guinea, The Gambia, and Mauritania. [[image:http://www.tamilnet.com/img/publish/2008/12/baobab-2.jpg width="307" height="202" align="right" caption="Baobab Tree"]]
 * Area: 196,722 sq km
 * Comparison: Slightly smaller than South Dakota
 * Climate: Tropical, hot and humid with a dry season between December and April and a rainy season between May and November.
 * Population: 12,643,799 ( 71st in world)
 * 531 km of Coastline
 * Terrain: Low rolling plains, foothills southeast
 * Natural Resources: Fish, phosphate, iron ore
 * Natural Hazards: Lowlands flood annually, droughts
 * Environmental Issues: Poaching, deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, overfishing [[image:http://oursurprisingworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/senegal_m_01.jpg width="373" height="251" align="right" caption="Dakar, the capital, is a port city"]]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Life Expectancy: 58.9 years
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Ethnic groups: Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, 9.4% other
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Religions: 94% Muslim, 1% Indigenous beliefs, 5% Christian
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Languages: French, Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">__**Economy**__ =

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Senegal is a very poor country, but it does have a better economy than many other Western African countries. The main export is now tuna. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">In 2009, tuna was classified as endangered and then later, In early 2010, European officials, led by the French ecology minister, were in favor of a ban of commercial fishing of bluefin tuna internationally. There is a somewhat positive outlook on the future for Senegal's economy because of an <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> increase in jobs and also growing tourism. Senegal attracts more tourists then any other country in West Africa. Dakar, the capital of Senegal, has many banks and other institutions that serve all of French speaking West Africa. In 2010, a new airport in Dakar along with improvements in railways and roads led to better transportation and communication with neighboring countries of Mali and Burkina Faso. Senegal's economy relies heavily on help from other nations. According to Oceana, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) estimates that as few as 25,000 individual mature bluefin tuna remain. Overfishing is the main reason for tuna becoming an endangered species. Also, tuna ranching (when tuna are caught alive and fed for months before being exported) is another reason as well as loss of prey.

Tuna: The main export of Senegal.

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">__**Tourism**__ = <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Senegal's tourist industry used to attract mostly french people, but in the 1990's an effort was put forth to attract a wider range of people around the world. The mild climate along with nice beach resorts attract many tourists each year. People often visit places such as Goree Island, which is a UNESCO world heritage site known as a historic trading post back in colonial times. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">A beautiful beach resort in Senegal

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">**__History__** =

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Early History

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">1000's :<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> Occupied by the Fulani and Tukulor in the lower Senegal River valley
 * 1040: Zenaga Berbers established a Muslim ribat (relighious retreat)
 * Became base for the Almoravids, who converted the Tukulor
 * 1150-1350: Leader Njajan Njay founded the Jolof kingdom.
 * 1444: Portuguese navigators reache Cape Verde
 * Establish trading factories along the coast and on the Senegal River.
 * 1500's: Jolof Kingdom split into competing Wolof states
 * Walo, Kajor, Baol, Sine, and Salum
 * Islam continued to spread through the 1700's.
 * 1776: The Tukulor Muslims established a theocratic confederacy in Fouta

French Period

 * 1659: A trading factory was built on the mouth of the Senegal River at N'Dar (Saint-Louis)
 * 1677: France took over Goree from the dutch
 * 1700-1800- Slave trade becomes very important in Senegal as Europeans fight for control over the area.
 * 1854: Napoleon III agreed to have a greater military presence in Senegal.
 * 'Umar Tal al- Hajj, a Tukulor, conquered the Bambara kingdom of Kaarta, and the states of Segu and Macina.
 * Unable to conquer his homeland of Fouta because of French occupation.
 * 1857: Military Stalemate between France and Umar Tal
 * led to a truce of coexistence
 * 1864-1865: Umar Tal dies, French gain power over most of Senegal.
 * 1879: French set up large railway system.
 * 1902: Capital of French West Africa becomes Dakar
 * WWI: 200,000 people sent to fight from French West Africa
 * 1914: People in French West Africa received full French citizenship rights
 * 1940-1942: Lost these rights to citizenship
 * 1946: Lamine Gueye and Leopold Senghor were elected as two socialist deputies concentrated on getting back the old French citizenship rights to the entire population of Senegal.
 * Leopold Senghor was a poet who was a leader for independence in Senegal.
 * 1958: Senghor decided to vote for a membership in Charles de Gaulle's French Community
 * 1960: Senegal becomes independent

Post Independence
Today, there is still conflict in the Senegalese region of Casamance; the area south of the Gambia. A group of rebels who have been in the area since 1982 are still fighting for their independence. Many people have died and a peace agreement signed in 2004 still did not stop the fighting.
 * Senghor became the first President Elected
 * Maintained strong relations with Muslim religious leaders inside Senegal as well as France, who provided assistance economically, technically, and with the military.
 * Vulnerable economy due to changes in world prices for peanuts and phosphates, as well as droughts.
 * 1976: Senghor authorized the formation of two opposition parties to please the working class and growing population.
 * January 1981: Abdou Diouf became president (Socialist Party)
 * 1983: 80% of votes in the election were for the Socialist Party, which lead to complaints of having an unfair system.
 * 8 Members of the [[image:senghor width="400" height="300" align="right"]] Democratic Party refused to take there seats in Parliament
 * Parliamentary Democracy survived through the 80's.
 * 1989: Border dispute with Mauritania caused major ethnic vilence
 * Hundreds of Senegalese were massacred in Mauritania
 * Tens of thousands were expelled from both countries
 * April 1992: Agreement between the two to restore diplomatic relations.
 * 1994: French devalued the African franc by 50%
 * Hurt the economy
 * Led to serious uprisings by the young population
 * Government crushed the uprisings, arrested hundreds

=**__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Relationship With France __**=

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Senegal is the oldest colony of France in Africa. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Senegal was the center for France's West African Empire, until their independence in 1960. President Senghor, the first president of Senegal who served from 1960 to 1980, was in support of close relations with France. He believed that negotiation and compromise were the best two paths to take when resolving international differences. The next two presidents, including President Abdoulaye Wade, have, in the most part, maintained these close, positive relations. Friendly to the West, especially to France and to the United States, Senegal also is in favor of more assistance from developed countries to the Third World. Although, new news points to different information regarding France and Senegal's relationship, it is said that Senegal is beginning to diversify it's foreign relationships.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">It is said that decolonization reinforced the ties between Senegal and France and only since recently, this relationship is changing between them. Senegal has recently begun to branch out its foreign relations, both within Africa and elsewhere. President Abdoulaye Wade, whos party now controls the government, sought closer relations with Washington and also with London. He has also sought to build stronger links within Africa, with South Africa and Nigeria. Therefore, the relationship Senegal had with France before is now changing from before.

=**__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">﻿Music __**=

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The music in Senegal is very important to its culture. The most popular kinds of music are mbalax; a type of Wolof music, and sabar drumming. Mbalax was made popular by Youssou N'Dour, who is Africa's biggest music star. He first brought Mbalax into the spotlight for Africa in the 1970's and the music remains the most popular music today. The music consists of drumming on a "talking drum" which is held under one arm while being played. N'Dour is known as one of the most influential people in the world. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Music is also used to celebrate different occasions, where people gather around the griot and sing loudly, clap their hands, and dance. It is a very important part to the Senegalese people's life and the presence of music is constantly felt. The traditional folf music of the country is played on string instruments, such as the kora. These folk songs are usually sang by a griot, who spreads knowledge of the culture through ancient songs. media type="custom" key="9348468" media type="custom" key="9348464"

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">__Sports__ = <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Senegal is very involved in sports out of other countries in West Africa. Dakar, the nation's capital, has hosted the All Africa Games and several Africa Cup soccer championships. There was even a national holiday declared after Senegal beat France in first-round play at the 2002 football World Cup. Better yet, this was Senegal’s first appearance in the competition. There is also both a women's and men's national soccer and basketball teams that rank among the best in Africa. Wrestling from Africa is also very prominent in Senegal. They wrestle in a sandy arena and to win the must make their opponent’s knees, shoulder, or back touch the sand. Matches include music, dancing, and praise singing for the athletes, even though the actual individual wrestle matches last only a few seconds.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Senegal National Football Team

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">media type="custom" key="9348772" <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">A Wrestling Match in Senegal

=__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Food __= <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The cuisine of Senegal is influenced by Portugal, France and countries of North Africa. Islam, practiced by almost ninety percent of the country, also influences Senegalese cuisine. Since Senegal borders the Atlantic Ocean and Dakar, the capital city, is a port city, fish is an important staple. Chicken is also consumed, but not pork because of the prominence of Islam within the country. The primary crops are peanuts, and couscous, rice, lentils, sweet potatoes, and black-eyed peas are also used in many recipes. Most of the meat and vegetables eaten in certain dishes are marinated in herbs and spices and put over couscous or rice. There are also popular fresh juices, which are made from bissap, ginger, and buy (the fruit of the baobab tree.) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The national dish of Senegal is called, Thiéboudienne. It consists of marinated fish cooked with tomato paste and different veggies.

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Buy fruit of the baobab tree

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The National dish of Senegal; Thiéboudienne

=__Art and Literature__= Senegalese artists are known for their skills in crafting exquisite gold, silver, and bronze jewelry. You can also find a variety of antique bead necklaces that are traditionally worn by the Fulani women. If visiting the country, one can find these extraordinary pieces of art at just about any market or antique shop. Senegal is also known for its pottery, baskets, and hand woven fabrics, glass painting, wood carvings, leather accessories (from crocodile, iguana, or snake skin). Literature in Senegal is more important than for most of West Africa. Senegalese literature is known worldwide thanks to people like Leopold Senghor, Ousmane Sembene, and Birago Diop. There are also some influential women writers who have been surprisingly involved in literature since the 1980's, such as Mariama Ba. She wrote about the polygamous society in Senegal. Senghor, a poet and statesman, was one of the founders of the concept of __//negritude,//__ which was a literary and artistic expression of the African experience. It defended African culture and has strengthened the African identity today.

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">__**﻿Book Sources**__ =

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Stephen:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. How Europe Underdeveloped Africa By: Walter Rodney (date of publication? Publishing House?)
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">This book first talks about Senegal between 500 A.D to 1500 A.D when the Songhai Empire ruled land in and around present day Senegal. The political customs that were used by the Songhai spread to many smaller states in Senegal. Feudalism was used in the region and some of the feudalist tendencies were shown in the slave trade in the late 15th century. An example mentioned is that Portuguese traders realized that some slaves worked a few days per month for themselves, which is a "feudalist tendency"(Rodney. 60). <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">By the 16th and 17th centuries, European countries searched for gold in West Africa because of a high demand for it in European society. Gold could not be a principal export because there was a very limited supply. Therefore the primary export became human beings. At one point in time, gum was an eport of greater importance than humans in Senegal, but this rarely happened. Africa was used as a provider of humans as a resource. Rodney explains that the slave trade ruined potential for economic development in Senegal because it did not allow the "maximum use of the country's labor and natural resources."(Rodney. 100) Humans as a resource were plucked from the country and weren't used to impact their land, but were shipped away, leaving no economic return. This is a fondamental reason Africa is underdeveloped.

By: James F. Searing (published when? Where?)
This book looks at Senegalese history from the Wolof point of view, rather than the French colonial point of view. Islam was a powerful driving force for Wolof society between 1859 and 1914. The rise of Islam actually helped reduce slavery. Kajoor and Bawol were the two most important Wolof kingdoms in the 1800's. Today, 40% of Senegal's population remains Wolof and the language and culture are very dominant still. Civil war between 1859 and 1886 between the monarchy and Kajoor lead to the French development in the region. Ongoing conflicts between the partisans and Kajoor played a dominant role in shaping the history of colonialism. This book also talks about how slavery ended early with a rapid decline thanks to slaves fleeing during a time of instability between 1883 and 1895. Muslims eventually benefitted from the decline of French Colonial power as Wolof aristocrats lost legitimacy in power. The conflict between monarchy and Islam was the main reason for changes between 1860 and 1914.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Crighton: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">**1. Narrative of a Voyage to Senegal By: J.-B. Henry Savigny and Alexander Correard** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Meduse was a ship of the french navy filled with weapons and designed to ferry french officials to Saint Louis in Senegal so they could control the colony. The French's aim was to carry out the terms of the Peace of Paris, which determined that the British would return Senegal to the French. Originally, Meduse fought in the Napoleonic wars. A french governor and 400 people were in the ship. In 1816, the Meduse left for Senegal. Meduse was joined by three other ships, and when the frigate went ahead to arrive at Senegal quicker, the ship drifted a hundred miles off course then proceeded to run and crash into a sandbank near Mauritania in Africa. Pieces of the ship were put together as a raft which was only able to hold 146 passengers. Some peoplewere put on other rafts as well. The lifeboats towed the raft, until after a few miles the raft let loose. Fights broke out, all the food was eaten and four days later, the passengers resorted to cannibalism. The book is written by two of the survivors of the ship and it talks about the many troubles they encountered as well as how people behave in desperate situations.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**2. African Foreign Policies Edited by: Stephen Wright** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">This book contains thirteen essays from North American, African, as well as European scholars. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">This book talks about Senegal being a former French colony which maintained strong links with France and how this is shown by the recognition of French as the official language. The elite classify themselves as belonging to a greater French speaking community who's cultural center is France. The French connection is important in regard to the context of foreign policy. Most of the elite attended school in France and adopted forms of socialism. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Foreign policy in Senegal is also influenced by the vibrant traditional; culture along with the France influence. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Wolof is extremely important in shaping foreign policy because forty-five percent of the population is Wolof. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">High unemployment rates lead to confrontation between government forces and students/worker's unions. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">National foreign policies are influenced by factors such as regional organizations, democratization, external agencies like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and the weakening of state structures.

=**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">__Film Sources__ **= <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">__**Xala**__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Crighton Thornton

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Originally, “Xala” was a book, but in 1975, Senegalese director, Ousmane Sembène adapted it into a movie about political corruption, neo-African leaders in post French colonial governments, mixing of cultures, and class divisions. The terms ‘Xala’ is wolof for curse. The film takes place in Senegal, in the capital city of Dakar. The main character, El Hadji, a corrupt and westernized Muslim business man / politician, is cursed with impotence, hence the xala. The main corruption takes place when Hadji uses government funds to marry his third wife. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Ousmane Sembène, the director, has been called ‘the father of film’ by the Los Angeles Times. Very socially conscious and politically aware, Ousmane is concerned with social change in Africa. This film can be regarded as a satirical film about the people who have taken over his native land. A working-class citizen of Africa, Ousmane through his film career and literary career is recognized internationally. He fought with the French in World War II, was a member of the jury for several film festivals and was the first African director to give lessons at Cannes for directing. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">This film deals with social and political issues, as well as themes that are also said to be portrayed in Ousmane’s other films. Ousmane likes to present colonialism through the failure of post African-independence governments. An African bourgeoisie emerges. The director reiterates the concept that the corruption of the bourgeois African class and failure of African capitalism can be traced back to colonial times when the French controlled Senegal. The bourgeois African class is trying to imitate the old colonial rulers who ruled their land many years ago. In the film, the businessmen and bourgeoisie of Senegal are very Westernized in clothes, poise, and attitude. Some traditional Africans find this not right, such as one of Hadji’s wives. Adja Awa Astou, Hadji’s first wife, is more traditional and hesitant to modernization in Africa through African socialism and progress which the bourgeoisie in Senegal is trying to obtain. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Another theme the film portrays is the corruption of money and politics as well as the oppression of the lower classes. In the film, there are several close-ups of the workers and beggars where a lack of dialogue and empathetic silence is prominent. Hadji’s business works in a way where he profits from the poor. The poor, usually referred to as beggars in the film, are portrayed as hurt or crippled as the limp or walk on one knee begging for change on the side of the road. Another theme is the mixing of two cultures; French (Western) culture as well as the Senegalese’s traditional African culture. Since Senegal is polygamous, Hadji has three wives. The first two serve as different symbols for the two different cultures infused in African society in Sengal. His first wife, Adja Awa Astou, is traditional, and understands polygamy as part of the African culture. She also always speaks wolof; the African dialect of Senegal. The second wife of Hadji, named, Oumi N'Doye, only talks to husband about sex and money. She represents a modern and westernized citizen of Senegal. She always talks in French. Oumi serves as a symbol for the Senegalese who have had French culture permeates into them due to the colonial imperialism experienced before Senegal regained their independence. The coexistence of two cultures in a new country such as Senegal is another theme in the film. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Another theme that can go along with political corruption is the selfishness that the African leaders evoke. We at first see this through Hadji taking government funds to feed his own desires. Throughout the film, Hadji is only concerned with his impotence, he visits many healers and spends much money trying to find out how to reverse the curse. He brags about his European water, orders that people speak French when he is around and strives to be a modern man. What is ironic is that he is impotent and can not make love to his wives. All the attention on the effort to fix the impotence puts Hadji’s career on hold, as he is distracted by his work since he is confronted with this ’man’ problem. He obsesses over this problem and does not focus on his career at all. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">In one scene, we see trash blowing on the side of road, we hear simple string music and then see beggars limping and crawling, some have crutches and appear wounded or crippled. They are all dressed in African traditional clothing rather than westernized clothing. Everyone is loud and talking all gathered closely in a crowd in the street. They are not polite and cordial like the bourgeois class. Some of them people in the crowd are carrying a dead body. It is sunny out, and always bright which contrasts with the mood. We then hear this reoccurring tribal yelling which serves as diegetic music in the film. The scene then goes on to Hadji visiting a friend to consult about seeing a healer for his ‘manhood’ problem of impotence. The beggars are seen through a window by Hadji and his friend, they are regarded as rubbish and then the police is called on them in order to deport them out because it hurts tourism, states Hadji. Here is another example where cruel capitalism plays in, and money from tourism is more important than the wellbeing of citizens of the country. This scene is important because it highlights the complete lack of understanding and compassion the evil business men have and also it highlights the extreme differences between socio-economic classes. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">In another scene, Hadji’s daughter, son, and wife are all sitting in the living room. The topic of polygamy is brought up and the daughter proceeds to say that all polygamous men are liars. She is then hit hard by her father, Hadji, that she is knocked on the ground. He then asserts his position as the boss and master and explains for her to take her revolution elsewhere. Hadji goes on to say that polygamy is part of religious patrimony and he and his people were the ones that kicked out the colonizers thus justifying himself as master. This scene highlights the troubles and inequalities suffered by African Women, which, Sembène often likes to incorporate as a theme in his films. Also, the somewhat controversial topic of polygamy is brought up.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Questions <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">1.) How does Sembène feel about polygamy?

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">2.) Since this film pokes fun at the bourgeois African class, was it <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">seen as controversial to some people of Senegal?

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<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> __**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Xala Film Analysis **__

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Stephen Lambert**
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 16pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The film Xala by Ousmane Sembene presents Senegal during the 1970's. In 1960, Senegal gained its independence from France, and this film depicts the corrupt government that was installed after independence. This new elite took the place of the Europeans and the only difference was race. They took over with the same selfish intentions as the French before them. At this time, Senegal was developing its socialist society. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 16pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Ousmane Sembene directed the movie Xala two years after writing a novel with the same title. It therefore is a //film d'auteur//, with Sembene determining all aspects of the film. Sembene is known as the "Father of African Film." His films come from his own life experiences and views. He was born in Ziguinchor, Senegal to a Muslim Wolof family, so some of his films, including Xala, are in the native Wolof dialect. Before becoming a director, Sembene wrote books. It was not until he turned 40 that he began directing films. He is known for developing films that can reach a wide range of people in order to promote social change. Sembene died on June 9, 2007. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 16pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">In this film we get a good look at how modern Senegal was at the time of independence. The opening scene shows the city of Dakar’s busy streets with cars lined up honking and making a lot of noise. We see televisions and tall buildings. At first glance, it looks like it could be any western city. It was also interesting to see a few scenes that showed women smoking cigarettes. This is against the Islamic tradition for women, so the modernity was shown here. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 16pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">One theme in this film is that money and corruption poison people. Once Senegal gained independence from France, the new government that formed consisted of high-class businessmen who became corrupt. Rather than learn from how the French treated them, these men followed in their footsteps and neglected the poor while only looking out for their own financial interests. This came back to hurt El Hadji when a poor man put a curse, or Xala on him, making him impotent. In this case, the money and power that El Hadji possessed literally “poisoned” him. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 16pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Another theme is that "man is master", as said in the film. This theme is reoccurring. We first see the inequality between men and woman when El Hadji slaps his daughter for being against him having a third wife. She falls to the ground and we see El Hadji from her point of view, towering over her expressing his dominance. We also see the male dominance over women when it comes to marriage. El Hadji has power over all three of his wives, but he also must provide them with anything they need. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 16pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The lower class in this film is shown as almost being completely helpless. There are many scenes that show poor men, women, and children struggling to travel because of broken or lost limbs, and they are largely ignored by the rich upper class presented in the film. We see these people crawling on the ground, pulling themselves along the dirt with no access to wheelchairs and makeshift crutches. In one scene, there are beggars outside of El Hadji’s wedding and he responds to them by throwing spare change at their feet. He looked at them like they were the scum of the earth. In another scene, El Hadji calls the police to take care of the poor people standing outside of his business. He says they ruin potential for more business, and says he wants to “clean up the mess” outside. This “mess” consists of El Hadji’s own African people. Rather than help them out, he send them away. I realized watching this film that Africans adopted the same customs used in politics by the Europeans and showed the same amount of greed. We even hear El Hadji’s first wife say that he acts like he is European. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 16pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Another aspect of the film that I found interesting was the way it portrayed polygamy in that culture. Sembene is known for making films about the way woman are treated in society, and we see how El Hadji’s different wives react to each other. At first, Adja (his first wife) doesn’t like the fact that El Hadji has other wives, but she knows that is the culture and she must accept it. She doesn’t get along well with Oumi (his second wife) until they are at the wedding together. They bond together and Adja gives Oumi advice. It was interesting to see them get along even though they don’t necessarily like each other. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 16pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">One interesting scene in this film was the wedding scene because it shows the blending of old traditional beliefs with a more modern society. There is a big wedding cake and a jazz trumpet being played in the background. The men and woman are celebrating together, as opposed to separately which was the traditional way of celebrating a wedding. El Hadji’s new wife is dressed in a beautiful white gown that could have come straight from Europe. The guests at the wedding all dress differently. Some of them dress more modern, like El Hadji’s second wife, and others dress completely traditional, like his first wife. El Hadji also refuses to straddle the mortar, which was a traditional part of the wedding that his new mother in law was disappointed to see him ignore. It was interesting to see this blending of cultures.


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<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">(For Images)
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">[|http://www.diseaseproof.com/uploads/image/BAOBAB(1).jpg]
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