Senegal



The Land of the Setting Sun
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“ Poverty is not being without clothes: ** is the one who has nobody.” **
 * the person who is truly poor
 * – Wolof Proverb**

= __Essential Question: __ = = What roles have belief systems, core values and the arts played in developing the Senegalese culture? =

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= = = = =__Essential Understandings: __=

 · Understand the components of a belief system (creed, code of behavior, rituals, community)  · Demonstrate knowledge of civic values that facilitate thoughtful and effective participation in civic life. (Patriotism, liberty, self- reliance, cooperation, responsibility, honesty, justice, courage, self- discipline)

· Describe the influence of arts, crafts, music, and language on various cultures.

· Illustrate or retell the main ideas in folktales, legends, songs, myths and stories of heroism that describe the history and traditions of various cultures.

**Thesis Statement**
 * There are many steadfast belief systems, core values and arts that played critical roles in developing the Senegalese culture. **



“Senegal is the most westerly country on the continent of Africa. If you stand on the shore and look out across the Atlantic Ocean, there is nothing between you and the Americas. From here you can see beautiful sunsets over the sea. People have called Senegal “The Land of the Setting Sun.” (Brownlie pg. 2)

Senegal is a West African country that is home to beautiful colors, delicious foods, endless landscapes and strikingly welcoming people. The people of Senegal are a remarkably community-based culture of people. The Senegalese are incredibly generous with all of the gifts that they have to offer the rest of the world. Many may not consider these gifts to be of high value. **There are many steadfast belief systems, core values and arts that played critical roles in developing the Senegalese culture. They are a determined people who have faced the challenges and diversity of their lives with dignity and grace throughout the years. The wealth of this country lies in the depth and breadth of its people and their culture. **




 * In many African cultures, the oral history holds the keys to the stories and belief systems of its people. Senegal is no exception. According to Sallah (1996), oral histories have been passed on and traced since the early 15th century. Oral history is a means of passing on belief systems as well as **folktales, legends, songs, myths and stories of heroism that describe the history and traditions of the Senegalese people.

The Senegalese are remarkable storytellers. Storytelling is a favorite pastime. Language is masterfully woven together to convey, show and teach the customs of the people. Stories are often enhanced or even embellished by songs, gestures and elaborate costumes. Many fables contain mythological creatures. But witches and goblins are often included as well. The Senegalese customary storytelling has been influenced by the French and other western cultures that have occupied Western Africa.


 * Senegal is a country that has been built on family values and a welcoming atmosphere. Everywhere one looks, there are people gathered together talking, laughing, working dancing and singing. The people clearly take pride in being able to receive others into their homes, providing them with hospitality that has no **


 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal;">Traditional culture is alive and well throughout the country. There has been many invasions of Senegal by other countries around the world. The French have had the largest impact on the Senegalese culture. In fact, Senegal was the capital of the French empire in West Africa. Dakar was the bustling city-center of the region; Dakar is the capital city of Senegal. **
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal;">Although French is the official and most commonly used language in Senegal, there are many tribal languages spoken throughout the land. The most common and the largest language is Wolof. Most people understand and speak Wolof. **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16pt;">


 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal;">There is a long history of trade along the Atlantic coast. Sadly, it was often slave trade that introduced the West Africans to the Europeans. Senegal is an ideal place for any type of trade to commerce, perhaps this why Islam and Christianity began to thrive throughout the different tribal communities. The influence of Islam has had a greater impact on the Senegalese culture than any other religion, including the traditional and more African rituals of the past. **



<span style="background-color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%; text-align: center;">**__Essential Questions:__**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Is Senegal vulnerable to earthquakes and how has its coatstline changed over the past million years?

<span style="background-color: #ffe100; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">__**Essential Understandings:**__

· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Explain the theory of continental drift/plate tectonics.

· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Describe how features of Earth's surface have changed over millions of years. Know how features of the Earth’s surface are constantly changed by a combination of slow and rapid processes (e.g., weathering, erosion, and deposition of sediment caused by waves, wind, water, and ice, sudden changes in the landscape caused by landslides volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes).

<span style="background-color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%; text-align: center;">**__Thesis Statement:__**

**__<span style="background-color: #ffff00; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Bibliography/Resources __** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Brownlie, Alison. //Senegal//. Illinois: Rigby Interactive Library, 1997. Levine, Ken. //A Survey of World Cultures: Africa//. Circle Pines: American Guidance Service, 1991. Sallah, Tijan M. //Wolof//. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 1996.

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