Language of the month: Wolof (the biggest language of Senegal)

Interesting Facts about Senegal. By Rohie N’Dow, Vice President of the Senegalese Community, Leeds

• Senegal is a country in West Africa, on the Atlantic coastline.
• On the 15^th of November 1958, Senegal officially became the Republic of Senegal.
• Senegal gained independence from France on the 4^th  of April 1960.
• Senegal is bordered by Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest.
• The capital, and largest city, of Senegal is Dakar.
• Senegal almost surrounds The Gambia, whose culture and traditions are the same as in Senegal.  
•  The people from Senegal are called Senegalese.
• The people of Senegal are predominately Muslim.
• Senegal has various ethnic groups, the main ones are the Wolofs, Fulas, Serers, Mandinkas and the Jola people, with the Wolofs currently being the largest ethnic group.
• Senegal is a multilingual county comprising approximately 36 languages, with Wolof being the most widely spoken, French is widely spoken in Senegal which was inherited from the colonial era, when Senegal was occupied by the French.
• The currency of Senegal is the West African CFA franc (XOF).
• Senegal is very rich in culture, traditions, history and arts.
• Senegal is home to 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites and 6 national parks.
• The national dish of Senegal is Thieboudienne pronounced Ceebu Jen, which is a stuffed fish, rice and vegetables which are cooked in a highly seasoned and flavoursome, spicy rich tomato sauce.
• Two seasons characterise Senegal, a dry season and a wet season.
• July is the hottest month in Senegal with an average temperature of 28ºc (82º Fahrenheit) and the coldest month is February at 21ºc (70º Fahrenheit).
• Senegalese film director Ousmane Sembene is considered the most famous African film director and author and is referred to as The Father of African Film, which includes the film Mandabi.

Now let us learn some of the key phrases of Wolof

Wolof Language translated into English, December 2023.

About The Senegalese Community Leeds organisation.

The Senegalese Community Leeds organisation was established in February 2020, the executive bureau with the ideas and suggestions from organisation members aims to bring our community together, to promote and maintain our rich unique culture and traditions by organising social and religious activities and to identify areas where help and support is needed within our community.

We raise awareness and encourage our members to get involved with local services and other communities in and around the city we live in being a member of the Senegalese Community Leeds is a positive way to integrate, engage, and meet other people of Senegalese origin to improve our mental health and wellbeing.

It’s also an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills, making the most of opportunities that will improve the future of all the adults, children and young people in the organisation and to create a sense of belonging.

We encourage any Senegalese to get in contact with our organisation at Senegalesecommunityleeds@hotmail.com.

This year the Senegalese Community in Leeds with the support of the organisation’s Executive bureau have achieved the following –

• Organised a bowling activity for the children and young people.
• Supported parents to access free online education for children getting ready for exams.
• Accessed vouchers so that some of our community could receive free electricity and gas.
• Once a month Sharing and distributing foodbank.
• Attended meetings with other community groups and leaders then shared the information with the rest of our community.
• Displayed cultural and traditional items from Senegal for Leeds Refugee Week and City of Sanctuary 2023 at Leeds Playhouse.
• Participated in the Leeds City of Culture Event 2023 at Leeds City Market, displaying an array of items made in Senegal.
• Served free tasting samples at the Playhouse and Leeds Market events serving traditional Baobab Juice and Hibiscus Juice with a traditional Senegalese sweet beignet.
• Observed Ramadan and Ndogou or Iftar at our community event.
• Celebrated Eid al Adha or Korite and Eid ul Fitr or Tabaski as a community.
• Attended Leeds International African Arts Festival and Awards ceremony 2023.
• In partnership with Hyde Park Picture House screened an Ousmane Sembene 1968 Film called Mandabi, which The Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Al Garthwaite was invited and attended.
• Attended the reopening event of Hyde Park Picture House which includes the permanent strand of Cinema Africa screening African films on a regular basis.
• On 27^th October 2023, attended and received an award for work with and in the community at The Africa4You awards at Bradford City Hall in the Banqueting Hall and we also displayed traditional and cultural items and offered free traditional tasting samples.

We are currently planning the following  for 2024 –

• A children’s and young people’s event in January 2024 to which all communities are invited.
• Planning for Ramadan, Korite and Tabaski 2024 “Insha Allah”.
• In the process of filling in the application to become a registered charity.
• Planning to have a parent and carer forum.
• Continue to provide a Foodbank.
• Updating our social media pages.
• A Senegalese film screening.
• A Fundraising event.
• Attending more community networking events which can benefit our community.