CULTURE
Religion
Muslim 92%, indigenous beliefs 6%, Christian 2% (mostly Roman Catholic)
Almost 90% of the Senegalese population are of musulman confession . The islamization of the country dates back to the XIth century (see history of Senegal), the period when the north of the Senegal, was conquered by the Almoradives (monks warriors barbers). The appearance of Christianity is much more recent. Often frayed between the two religion, the animism, with their rituals and their beliefs, is still very present.
Music
The Senegal is a country rich in musical values and the number of occasions that are used to gather around the "griots" or clapping your hands and sway your hips in rhythm delights a public often very numerous. Each ethical group has his music and his instruments that are their own.
Modern day and world famous artists include:
Youssou N'Dour
One of Africa's most important performers. His music has reached a world wide audience through collaborations with artists like Peter Gabriel, Neneh Cherry, and Branford Marsalis.
Baaba Maal
A uniquely talented singer from Senegal. He's equally at home with an acoustic guitar playing traditional folk music or playing the hottest international dance music. He's finally emerging into the international spotlight as one of the world's hottest performers.
Art & Craft
There is a large variety of Senegalise Art and Craft products including jewellery, clothes, basket weaving and musical instruments.
’Underglass’’ Painting is one of the oldest Senegalese arts. It is very popular in the towns and even in rural areas the painting reproduces daily scenes of life Just as in ‘’Naif Art’’.
Sand painting is one of the most popular arts of Senegal. The technique is strictly based on the use of local raw material (sand of the dune, beach sand, volcano sands etc…). The designs are typically African.
