For Easter, we drove down to the town of Joal-Fadioth to the house of Arnie's friend Francois. His family is Catholic as is the majority of Jaol-Fadioth and had invited us to have Easter dinner with his entire family. We had arrived late to eat with the family due to a late start and traffic. They were nice to have saved us some wonderful food and we enjoyed talking to Francois's father a little before eating.
After dinner, we walked over to a museum in honor of Senghor, the first president of Senegal, who was born in Joal. Francois's friend gave us a private tour and told us about this fascinating man who is said to be to Africa what George Washington was for America.
The highlight of the day was the walk to the island of Fadioth. The foundation of the island is made entirely of shells and the only access to the island is by the foot bridge or by pirogue (rickety wooden boats.) There was a very festive feeling on the island and it was wonderful to be there with Francois, who stopped every now and then to greet friends and neighbors. This was one of the only times that we didn't fear being harrassed by local salesmen or conned by anyone trying to earn a couple extra CFA by insisting we needed to pay for parking or anything.
The citizens of Joal-Fadioth are proud of their religious tolerance. Thanks to Senghor 's family, who had converted to Christianity, Christians and Muslims live in harmony here. In the picture below, you can just barely make out the Catholic church on the left and the mosque on the right of the bridge.
After dinner, we walked over to a museum in honor of Senghor, the first president of Senegal, who was born in Joal. Francois's friend gave us a private tour and told us about this fascinating man who is said to be to Africa what George Washington was for America.
The highlight of the day was the walk to the island of Fadioth. The foundation of the island is made entirely of shells and the only access to the island is by the foot bridge or by pirogue (rickety wooden boats.) There was a very festive feeling on the island and it was wonderful to be there with Francois, who stopped every now and then to greet friends and neighbors. This was one of the only times that we didn't fear being harrassed by local salesmen or conned by anyone trying to earn a couple extra CFA by insisting we needed to pay for parking or anything.
The citizens of Joal-Fadioth are proud of their religious tolerance. Thanks to Senghor 's family, who had converted to Christianity, Christians and Muslims live in harmony here. In the picture below, you can just barely make out the Catholic church on the left and the mosque on the right of the bridge.
The sun was just beginning to set as we were walking to Fadioth. From the direction of Joal, we could hear the constant chanting and drums of what Francois said was a wrestling competition.
Looking back toward the town of Joal 
We were walking along and I was so surprised to see Malia's name on the side of this little house. I just had to take a picture of it for her.
We were walking along and I was so surprised to see Malia's name on the side of this little house. I just had to take a picture of it for her.
The granaries are set on stilts out in the mangroves to keep the pests away. We were told that the grain stays good for up to a year in these little huts.
Granaries among the mangroves 
On the opposite side of Fadioth is another foot bridge that takes you to possibly the only cemetery in Africa that has Christians and Muslims buried side by side.
1 comment:
Great journal Meg. Thanks for sharing with us a glimpse of this unique part of the world.
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