The African Renaissance Monument in Dakar, Senegal: a symbol of the rebirth of the African continent.
Senegal is one of the 16 countries of West Africa, located on the west coast of Africa it borders Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Verdean peninsula and borders Guinea and Guinea to the southeast and to the southwest with Guinea-Bissau. Without mentioning the Gambia that is literally in the interior of Senegal, reason why there is the region known as the Senegambia.
The country has a tropical weather. There are two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The rainy or humid season is from June to October and with it comes the green and the plants bloom beautifully. In the rainy season, the temperature is between 24 to 30 degrees celsium and when the weather is dry the temperature is between 18 to 25 degrees celsium.
Currency, spirituality & language
The country’s currency is the CFA Franc, the population is around 15 million people and the most populous city is the capital Dakar with more than 2 million people.
The predominant religion in Senegal is Islam, as it is in much of West Africa. The majority of people in the country are Muslims. This is why it is very common to see the names of mosques and streets in honor of great Muslim leaders. Such as Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, Cheikh Ibra Fall, Cheikh Oumar Foutiyou, Baye Niass.
Although Senegal is a French-speaking country, the national language is WOLOF. The Senegalese speak different languages what a polyglot people! They usually speak three to five languages, but it is common for you to meet Senegalese who speak up to eight languages. Due to the fact that the country was colonized by France, there are also many people who speak French, but the national language is in fact WOLOF. And it is present in the media, in movies, soap operas, advertisements, social networks, billboards, ad many other areas.
Due to ethnic diversity, there are other African languages besides WOLOF, for example, in southern Senegal the predominant languages are Diola, Fula (Pulaar), Mandinka. To the north, Serer, Lebou.
tips to save & travel more
Senegal is a central country in Africa in terms of the movement of people from all parts of the continent. Due to its location it facilitates access to other countries and therefore it is common to find in Dakar, Africans from various parts, Congo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Gambia and many other countries. And Africa is an ancestral land not only referring to our direct ancestors, but in fact the longevity of that land.
And with that a very interesting thing is that Senegal is well known for maintaining the tradition of storytelling. Made by the Dialys or as it is known in the West: Griots.
Who are responsible for keeping history and tradition alive through the word, through music. This tradition is passed on from generation to generation, requiring years of training and knowledge of genealogy, history and music. There is also Diali Musso, the women who give voice to generations in West African society.
It is also in Dakar that the tallest statue on the entire continent is located The African Renaissance Monument. Designed by famous Senegalese architect Atepa Goudiaby. The monument is located in the Ouakam district of the Senegalese capital. And it is taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York and Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
It is also here in Senegal that the first Afrofuturist city on the continent will be built . Conceived by singer Akon, the town that bears his own name Akon City is about 40 minutes from Dakar.
Inspired by the technological city of Wakanda, from the film Black Panther, the innovative project, by the singer and entrepreneur, aims to attract more the diaspora to the continent.
The Motherland has its doors open to receive the diaspora. Come enjoy the peace and tranquility of living with the freedom to create and develop your talents, and work to build the Africa we want. And if no one has ever invited you before, here is our invitation, COME to the continent in person and SEE Africa.
Smart Packing
Where to stay 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 and Mamelles beach and Marché Ouakam.
How to connect is situated between other two well known neighborhoods Yoff and Ngor both having one of the best beaches in Dakar including their beautiful islands with the same name offering a great circuit for visitors and locals in the area.
staying safe & connecting with locals
Fancy and Non expensive Restaurants you are driving or if you grab a taxi or choose to use local transportation riding on a bus to visit the monument, there is no way to miss the directions. The tallest statue in The Motherland do not pass unnoticed as it covers the skyline of Dakar, you can see it from afar on different parts of the city and it is a famous attraction amongst africans themselves, which means everybody knows how to get there.
Getting around and things to do, families and locals love the area and have a great time when visiting for many reasons such as, easy access due to the good location is very easy to find the monument and everybody knows, 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).
Making the best of your time
The presence of having tangible elements that look like and represent us have a powerful effect especially on black children who will grow seeing images like themselves. Their current reality is essential to mold their self esteem it culminates on building in them more confidence to grow and to become whoever they want to be.
Seeing yourself is a powerful thing, reason why some figures are commonly seen in the western world and underestimate others. Image is power! Hence, more than worrying on whatever “critics” say or not about us and of what we do we continue to move forward and to create monuments that represent us.
The gap we face is still huge, we don’t have time to waste on paying attention to what it doesn’t matter for our growth and the Universe is our side. Let’s continue to shine our excellence and brilliance of our people.
Find more information about the African continent and enjoy getting to know The Motherland as it really is. Read SEE Africa section.