Between historical serenity and lively escapade
Lively, populated, vibrant, sprawling… These were my impressions upon arriving in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, located at the tip of West Africa.
Dakar, and Senegal in general, first fascinated me through its history, its great men such as Leopold Sedar Senghor, Cheikh Anta Diop, Ousmane Sow, and Youssou Ndour to name a few, and through the stories told to me by friends who had the chance to go there before me.
So to say that I will discover Dakar in one day seems like a delicate, if not presumptuous, operation. Nevertheless, given the time, I had to make choices to make the most of the time spent in the city.
Gorée Island
A timeless getaway, away from the big city of Dakar
As a history and symbolism enthusiast, I couldn’t leave Dakar without visiting Gorée Island, one of the must-see sites in Dakar. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, a few minutes by boat from the Dakar port, we find ourselves in Gorée, a timeless village.
Sadly known for playing a significant role in the slave trade in the 18th century, the island was back then one of the largest slave trading centers on the African coast.
A must-see stop, the House of Slaves testifies to this dark past. At the end of a dark hallway, the « Door of No Return, » open to the ocean, allows visitor to imagine the tragic fate of the millions of men, women, and children who crossed this threshold and were deported across the Atlantic. Anyone who has been to this place will not forget the emotions felt while touring the cells.
Being in Gorée also means appreciating the tranquility and strength of this timeless place; strolling through the colorful narrow alleys to meet locals and appreciating the sights and views towards the horizon, which sharply contrast with the main city Dakar.
Wandering in the streets of Dakar
To be immersed in the richness of its culture and the warmth of its people
There’s nothing better than getting lost in the streets of a city to appreciate its singularities and to test one’s own senses. After the calm and serenity of Gorée Island, walking the streets of Dakar, at the mercy of chance and encounters, without purpose or objective, was a completely different experience.
Around a corner, I found myself in the middle of the Kermel market, in the Plateau district, one of the lively neighborhoods of the city. Like any African market, the Kermel market is an important place in the lives of Dakar’s inhabitants, a place of meetings and socialization par excellence.
Getting lost in the labyrinths is never a regret. The smells mix with the sounds whilst the comings and goings and the noise add to the liveliness of the place.
Streets of Dakar are like those of other major African cities; lively, colorful, and friendly. As elsewhere, formality and informality are an integral part of daily life and the identity of the places. It is not uncommon to be stopped by vendors to bargain for any kind of product. These stops are always an excuse for me to have a good moment of exchange and laughter with the locals.
To be continued…
A day is too short to fully explore and appreciate the liveliness reigning in Dakar. Although my initial impressions were accurate, Dakar has another dimension. I discovered a city full of contrasts, both silent and vibrant, calm and bustling, endearing and suffocating, oscillating between modernity and tradition.
As a city in transition, constantly evolving according to the locals I met, I will not miss the opportunity to return and enjoy the other treasures that the city has to offer.
- Taking in the heights with the gigantic African Renaissance Monument, which rivals other world-famous monuments,
- Getting lost in the other markets of the city,
- Exploring the Medina,
- Taking a breath of fresh air on the beach of Yoff,
- Enjoying the tranquility on N’Gor Island,
- Visiting the cultural and artistic part of the city; museums, art cafes,
- Venturing out to the Lac Rose,…
All photos shot with the Fuji X100F.
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