msafiri SENEGAL 107 giuglio gil/ hemis/ photolibrary

msafi ri DRUMMING The heartbeat of the land… home to the famous sabar, village to the next. Like the djembe speaks the languages of the Wolof and Serer people. not limited to, festive parties, healing rituals and sacred ceremonies. Historically, only griots or storytellers could perform sabar music, but now it is available to everyone. Observing an old mother kick up sand as she dances sabar, or a young child fl ail his limbs through a crowded room for a joyful gathering, is the height of any Senegalese experience. Among the orchestra of traditional drums played throughout the country, one can also enjoy the Malian djembe, the Mandinko kutero and the talking drum. Other melodic instruments to accompany the sabar are the guitar- like kora and the African xylophone, known as the balafon. ST LOUIS A world heritage site, and a fusion of traditional housing a feast of old- colonial architecture, celebrating African art and hosting the most important jazz festival in all of Africa. Be sure to visit sooner rather than later, as rising sea levels threaten the future of the city. MBALAX Old meets new…. A popular dance music mbalax, which blends Western jazz, soul and rock with the traditional sabar rhythms, can be enjoyed at city nightclubs and village campfi res. The accompanying dance moves require gyrating, pelvic and knee- swinging skills that, for the visitor, might seem as diffi cult to master as Chinese acrobatics. 108 SENEGAL Made famous by Doudou N'Diaye Rose, it is present at every social and religious gathering, including, but The dance of the " elegant women", Saint Louis region J- C& D. PRATT/ PHOTONONSTOP/ PHOTOLIBRARY A ccommodating a unique array of diverse cultures and varied landscapes, hosting an artist's palette of vibrant sights, pulsating sounds and soulful rhythms, it is easy to understand why Senegal is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Africa. From the lush, tropical regions of the Casamance to the bustling, lively city of Dakar; from the traditional, Islamic villages to the French- fashion inspired cities, Senegal is nothing short of an exciting, multifarious country, serving as a microcosm of the entire continent. From the avid beachgoer, to the club-hopping youngster, from the savvy merchant to the art connoisseur, Senegal has something for everyone. Drumming is at the heart of Senegalese culture At the heart of drum culture, Senegal is , a hand and stick drum that creates a lively, raucous beat. Traditionally, this drum made of wood and goat skin was a communicator from one drum, the sabar cultures, Saint- Louis, is an historian's priced- jewel, SEBASTIEN BOISSE/ PHOTONONSTOP/ PHOTOLIBRARY known as