Dispelling the Myth of Africa

Beginning with SenegalMyth of Africa1My name is Audrey Gardner. I grew up in Hampton, GA. I am an African-American who loves Africa!

I am here to give you a presentation on the African country Senegal. We will watch a short video, see some pictures and look at real Senegalese items.At the end there will be Question & Answer session.I appreciate your attentionlets get started.

Sngal2

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4Common Stupid Questions & AssumptionsYour parents must be in the military if youve traveled outside the United States.If youre a tall male you must basketball players?What!?! Youve never been arrested?Are you a rapper ?All Black teenagers have children.Youre pretty, are you mixed?Dont you live in the projects?

5After hearing these questions, how to do you feel? We as African-Americans get upset when other races assume things that are generally accepted as the norm but in so many instances so far from the truth.How Do you feel insulted? Enraged? Awful things said about AfricaAfricans live in trees.Do people in Africa wear clothes?Are lions roaming free in the streets?Everyone has HIV/AIDS in Africa.

All of these are stupid, rude, and highly offensive.6If the children are laughing, then ask them what is the difference between the previous slide and this slide. Remind them that they too are Africa, just displaced in the United States of America.

Proceed with:The African method of using dye for clothes is centuries old. Head wraps have been around long before Erykah Badu. There are no animals just walking around in the street. Like, America, there are Zoos where animals are attended. There is also a more open space called safari. Many travel agencies market safari and generate a good course of income for the country in the areas of travel & tourism. But there are people in these countries, museums, clubs, artists, beaches, cities, in these places. Lets erase these ideas by educating ourselves about Senegal.7Be proactive. Share what youve learned. Correct people when they are being offensive. Youd want someone to do for you.The purpose of this presentationShow Senegal locationA Give you a different picture Share pictures with you of everyday lifeJewelrySenegalese ClothesShow you some famous places

8Many of you may have no interest in Africa. Some of you may be intrigued after this presentation. To a few you, this presentation wont hit you until years down the road or until the day you actually meet a Senegalese person.My purpose in presenting to you today is to share with you something.Something different. Something youll never see on TV.Something youll never read in a book.Something that changed me.Because I like you, I once had negative thoughts about Africa. Made jokes about African people and customs. Through my daughter, Aiyana, my entire idea has changed and I see things so much differently that before. I went to the first time in January 2006 and have been going every three months since. I have friends. I feel like I belong. Senegalese people accept us and want us to be apart of them.By the end of the presentation, you should know:The number of countries in AfricaThe capital of SenegalThe color of the Senegalese flagA national dishThe Senegalese handshakeHow to greet in Woolof

9There is so much to learn about Senegal. Unfortunately, I wont be able to give you every single detail today. However, I like to set goals on what you should be able to know by the end of my presentation.

Facts about Senegal

Dakar is the capital.National dish is Ceebe Jin.National sports are football and Senegalese wrestling10Senegal is 1 of 53 countries in Africa.The population of Dakar is 4 million people; the same size as Atlanta. It is the busiest post in West Africa for both sea and air trade. The city is on a peninsula of the country. Its generally warm all year round with the rainy season in June through September.

Chebe jin is made with rice, tomato paste, dried fish, peppers and a variety of spices and lemon is added to individual plates.Other popular dishes are Yaasa and Maafe. Rice is the staple food and fish.

All over the world the sport we know as soccer is call FOOTBALL.Senegalese Wrestling is the National Sport.

Facts about SenegalThe national languages are Woolof, Arabic, and French. Dakar is the fashion capital of West Africa.98% of the population are Muslim.

11Woolof is spoken in Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania. The average person speaks at least 3 languages, including English, though French is more commonly spoken. People in Senegal are very fashionable and fashion conscious. You will find that almost all skilled tailors are men.There is a small percentage of Christians and some indigenous religions are still practiced. However, according to Muslim Law, they cannot drink alcohol, smoke or marry a outside their religion.Senegalese CultureRemove your shoes at someones house.Always acknowledge and respect the eldest person in company.Women are protected and educated.

12Many people tend to think Japanese are the only people in the world who remove their shoes when entering someones house. Mostly all Asian cultures practice this custom of removing the shoes before entering a residentThis practice is based on the the Muslim belief similar to Godliness is next to cleanliness. But doesnt that sound like Christian, too.Anywhere there is an older person present, that person is treated with the highest respect. When they speak people listen and dont argue with them. Senegalese women are some of the most beautiful women in the world. Men respect them. In Senegal, they do no practice female circumcision. Most importantly, females are allowed to be educated.Senegalese CultureSenegalese ceremoniesChildren go to Qur'an and regular schools.Men are allowed to have as many wives they can afford.

13There are a host of cultural ceremonies that occur, for example, wedding. But others are Baby Naming Ceremonies Funeral Coming of Age Ramadhan Eid-al-Fitr Birthdays are not so popular and Christmas is not observed in the country.Muslim Law requires that that every Muslim be able to read and recite the Quran. Just like in American, religion is not taught as apart of the curriculum. However, a separate institute operated by Muslim leaders who teach children the Quran. These classes are generally held in the afternoon for 3 -4 hours a day.In Islam it is permitted for a man to have more than one wife; given that he treats them all the same. For example, if he buys one a new car, he must therefore buy one for all his wives. Generally speaking the first wife has higher status. The children all grow up together and not considered half-brother or half-sister

Communal Dining

14CFA-Senegal Currency

15Senegal money is call say-fah5000CFA is 10USD10000CFA is 20USDThere are also coins. Since independence from France in the 60s CFA means:Communaut Financire Africaine (African Financial Community)

Between 1945 and 1958, CFA stood for Colonies franaises d'Afrique ("French colonies of Africa"); then for Communaut franaise d'Afrique ("French community of Africa") between 1958 (establishment of the French Fifth Republic) and the independence of these African countries at the beginning of the 1960s.

A Mosque:A mosque is like a church where Muslims go worship.

16Dekh Rebha aka The Pink Lake

17This lake is the color of Pink Kool-Aid.It is 50% salt and water. Nothing lives in this lake. But there are micro organisms which are believe to reflect from the sun. They are the reason the lake is pink.

People come from all over West Africa to work here. 24 tons of salt is pulled from the lake every year and exported.

It is a very beautiful place and sadly no one knows about it.

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An University 19School Trip to Goree Island

20The Last Slave House -Goree Island

21The Dutch were the last to have a slave house on Goree Island. The slaves were separated and put on the 1st floor. The Dutch lived on the second floor.

The picture on the right is a punishment hole. Senegalese people on average are about 63 tall. They would have to stoop in this position for long hours, sometimes days. If they fell down, they were beaten and placed back in the cell.Goree Island Museum

22A mural of the slave trade in Senegal.

The Door of No Return-Goree Island

23This door lead to the ships which were filled with stolen African headed to The America and The Caribbean.Remember I said earlier that Dakar is a major port and has been for hundreds of years. Many slaves were traded and sold in Dakar.

It was said that once you went through this door, it was the last time you would ever be in Africa.The Balboa Tree

24The balboa tree its used for anything because its too soft and has a hollow trunk.

It is said that this tree was brought by the Portuguese. However, this tree was used to bury the dead. The picture on the right shows that. There was a skull in the hole at the bottom of the tree.

The do bear fruit and has gets little leaves during the rainy season.Sobo Bad

25Sobo Bad

26Apartments in Senegal

27Homes in Senegal

28Homes in Senegal

29Inside a friends house

30The Bus

31Famous Senegalese

32Babacar Gueye, Government WorkerPresident of Red Cross Senegal, DakarMariana Ba, author and feministIssa Maija, actressAkon, rapper

VisualsSenegalese dressesWaist beads & GoldCFA (paper money & coins)Artwork-the bus and fishing boat33Question & Answer Session34Want to know more.Send an e-mail to Ms. Audrey Gardner audrey@youthawb.org35This is my daughters e-mail address and mines. If you want to know more information or have questions please send us an e-mail.

To the teacher:If you ever want to organize a tour, We will be more than happy to make arrangements for that.

Thank you,

Audrey Jrjf

36Geri Gef Thank you so much for your asking me to come and speak with your students today.