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the amazing view of Africa’s tallest statue: the African Renaissance Monument
Por afriFECC em Conheça a Áfrika
The African Renaissance Monument in Dakar, Senegal: a symbol of the rebirth of the African continent.
The African Renaissance is an outstanding monument and provides one of the most beautiful views of Senegal’s largest city and capital, Dakar. With its 49 meters height visitors can have a broader sightseeing of Dakar’s skyline.
Situated on the top in one of the twin hills of the Collines des Mamelles, a 100 meter high hill, the African Renaissance Monument is located in Ouakam neighborhood, one of the busiest areas of Dakar. The statue is not only the tallest in Africa, but is also taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York and Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Visitors and locals can get to the monument by public transportation, taxi or private cars with free parking available. It is not necessary to buy tickets in advance to visit the monument since the access is free, however a ticket would be required to visit the museum about African history located in the interior of the statue with an observation deck at the top offering breathtaking skyline landscapes.
A symbol of autonomy and freedom
The African Renaissance is a symbol of rebirth for the African continent, for more autonomy and freedom after the horrendous ages of the transatlantic slave trade where European colonizers bondage Africans and send them out to their lands and to build their wealth in the Americas at the expense of the lives, torture and free labor of other human beings known nowadays as the African Diaspora.
The African Renaissance stands as a reminder of the need to reclaim the power, heritage and legacy of Africans, as well as the narratives, autonomy and freedom.
Image can shape the future and set the tone of the direction to follow or to become, hence the monument has relevance and it sets an example to every black person on the planet to build, to grow and to lead, together with their fellow brothers and sisters and their families.
historical facts
The opening happened on Senegal’s National Day (4 April of 2010), the year the country celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence.
This historical mark register the five recent decades that the country has been led by Africans and is no longer held by its former colonial powers, even though the country still has to deal with the consequences rebuilding the economy, structure and development and to attract partners and investors.
African excellence
The Monument represents African Communities and their unique importance for the development of the society as a reminder to Africans and their descents to build together and to remain united.
It celebrates African people who are the center of African excellence in the continent and all across the globe. And it shows Africans that they can move forward caring their most importance values and to look up recognizing and celebrating the great things those who came before have accomplished so far in the history, legacy and culture.
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African Excellence can be found in all areas of knowledge African people have led the world’s development to a higher level since the beginning of times. Their relevant contributions and culture are present in every continent on the earth. The museum exposition of African history on the interior of the statue provides more valuable information on Africans accomplishments and important figures. The emblematic meaning of the statue position and the observation deck at the top of the statue means that Africans should seek the bigger picture, should continue to look towards where there is hope, where there is more African excellence and where their families and communities, can continue to grow and develop.
Ouakam neighborhood
Ouakam is a lively neighborhood in Dakar with supermarkets, stores, fine restaurants, art galleries and many attractions such as the Mamelles Lighthouse, Mosque of the Divinity, both Ouakam beach and Mamelles beach and Marché Ouakam.
The neighborhood is around other two well known neighborhoods Yoff and Ngor both situated near the best beaches of Dakar and beautiful islands offering locals and visitors different options and a great circuit in the area.
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Definitely a must visit
The positive image and emblematic meaning the monument provides for Africans matters a lot in a world where African people are not usually celebrated as they should be.
Visitors will not find difficulty to get to the Monument whether if you choose to come by public transportation, driving or if via taxi. Every local and residents from different countries in Senegal knows where the tallest statue in the Motherland is. And since the statue covers the skyline of Dakar, you can see it from different places of the city and it is one of the most famous attraction in the Senegal’s capital.
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The easy access allows visitors and locals frequent visits to eathe go inside the statue, to chill or ride bikes, practice jogging and other . They have a great time in the area Visitors, families and locals love the area and have a great time when visiting for many reasons such as,s, the proximity to other attractions, FREE entrance around the monument and to visit the statue (except if you want to visit the museum in the interior of the statue).
A Monument that represent us
The African Renaissance Monument gives the African youth in the diaspora or in the continent the perspective and the broader view to dream, to learn, to understand their legacy, to acknowledge their history, to continue to create and innovate just like their ancestors.
The monument is a tangible element that represent and it was designed from and for African people. It has a powerful effect on visitors especially African children who are able to grow seeing images that look like themselves, allowing them to dream and to know from an early age that they are valuable. Their environment mold their personality and as more positive images like themselves are displayed it can contribute for their confidence to grow and for them to understand that they can become whoever they want to be.
As Africans continue to see more monuments that reflect themselves it reinforces the power of their presence on being the great creators who they are. The positive and true identity that comes from the nurturing confidence in ones abilities to be the beautiful and powerful people that they are. Image is power and the Monument exposes the importance to pay attention to things that do matter and that will escalate, influence or boost African growth. The African Renaissance continue to shine as well as the excellence and brilliance of African people.
Find more information about the continent and enjoy learning about African excellence in The Motherland: SEE Africa.