Senegal Facts: 39 Facts About Senegal

Last updated on March 3rd, 2020

Facts about the Senegal river

21. The Manantali Dam in the Senegal River has become a “poster child” of bad dams. It has become a classic case study for things that can go wrong in dam-building.

22. In the year 2016, twenty-five fishermen were mauled to death in the Senegal River. The killer is the most unusual suspect of all the peaceful hippopotamus.

23. An ancient Greek guy, who’s quite famous on Wikipedia, Pliny the Elder named the Senegal River, “Bambotus”, which simply means hippopotamus. Though “Bambotus” is way better a name than “Pliny”.

24. The “Gateway to Africa” tag was earned due to the presence of the Senegal River, due to which the Portuguese and the French were able to make inroads to Sudan and Central Africa.

25. The Senegal River is dotted with a number of ethnic tribes each distinct by their animist beliefs, practices, and ceremonies, dressing styles, dances, music, food, etc.

26. The Senegal River was a major link in the Great Trans-Saharan trade across the vastness of Africa. It helped develop contact between the Morocco and the Ghana Empire in the Middle Ages.

Five interesting facts about Senegal

27. The common lingo of Senegal has a word called, “Teranga”. It has a very sweet and hospitable meaning and has become the identity of Senegalese people. It means helping a person to come to your land and settle down.

28. Senegal has two prominent nicknames; the land of Teranga and the gateway to West Africa. The equator passes through Senegal and hence it is one of the most humid places on earth. The weather is same throughout the year; scorching sun during the day accompanied by thunderstorms in the evening.

29. The “madd” fruit is native to Senegal and sells well in the international market. Have your full share if you ever land at Senegal.

30. Dakar is home to the tallest statue in Africa. The African Renaissance Monument built in 2010, stands at an impressive 49 m, but still a meter short of a half-century.

31. Forget your conventional dance moves and learn the native Senegalese “Sabar” dancing. It will burn your calories faster than the speed of light.

Senegal on the map

Facts about tourism, sports, Dakar and more

32. Senegal has the honor of having the westernmost point in the whole African Continent. It’s called Pointe des Almadies, and also happens to be a surfing hot-spot.

33. Rap God, Akon was born and brought up in Senegal.

34. Music is the lifeblood of the Senegalese people. In fact, indigenous musical instruments like kora and balafon, are mentioned in the very first line of Senegal’s national anthem.

35. Senegal has unwantedly won the “worst non-military disaster in maritime history” tag, when “MV Le Joola”, a Senegalese government ferry capsized, killing 1,863 people.

36. A Senegalese wedding is an elaborate affair. First, the groom goes to the bride’s place with Kola nuts and not rings. If the bride accepts the nuts, the proposal part is over. Next, the bride goes to the groom’s family to get married with money, rice, sweets, fruits and the humble sheep…never forget the sheep in Senegal.

37. Senegal’s grasslands have given the country its two national symbols, the baobab tree, and the red lion.

38. The official language of Senegal is French. There are native languages like Wolof, Soninke, and Mandinka.

39. Senegal is a paradise for footballers. Many prominent players like El Hadji Diouf, Henri Camara, Ferdinand Coly, Bouna Coundoul, etc. have been inducted into the European League from this country.

Senegal – country at a glance