How did Senegal get its name?

There are a few stories about the name Senegal.  Some believe that the country is named after the river of the same name that runs along its northern border, before entering the Atlantic Ocean.  Some historians believe the name may come from a Saharan Berber people called the Zenega, who lived north of the river.  In the Wolof language, “Sunugaal” means “Our Canoe” and the story goes that there was a miscommunication with a Portuguese captain and a Wolof fisherman over a canoe. This is the etymology of choice accepted by the Senegalese people, due to the charming symbolism of a nation, “all in the same boat.”

Where is Senegal located?

Senegal is located on the Cap-Vert peninsula in West Africa on the Atlantic coast.  Its vibrant capital city of Dakar, is the westernmost city on the African mainland.  Senegal has many neighbors: Mali, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and she wholly surrounds the small country of The Gambia.  This oddity makes the country look on a map like a big mouth taking a bite.

A Brief History of Senegal

It is believed the first humans in Senegal were hunters but sometime, around 3000 BC, they learned to farm.  By 500 AD a sophisticated society arose to make intricate iron tools and buildings made out of stone circles.  Towns and trade flourished.  In the 13^th century Senegal was part of the Empire of Mali, which lasted until their decline.  In the 15^th century, Senegal was broken up into several small kingdoms.

The first Europeans to arrive there were the Portuguese in 1544.  They began to trade with the Africans.  In the early 16^th century, the Portuguese started taking slaves from West Africa in large numbers to work sugar plantations.  The English, Dutch and French all established slave trading stations along the coast.  The Ile de Goree was taken by the French from the Dutch in 1677.   During the 18^th century, the slave trade flourished.  Europeans persuaded Africans from the coast to attack neighboring tribes and take captives.  Millions were shipped across the Atlantic in appalling conditions.  Today there is a museum called the House of Slaves with the “Door of No Return” that is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.  It is a solemn place for contemplation and reflection.

The French took over Senegal and made it the headquarters of their growing West African empire.  This gave the Senegalese people education and healthcare that many other nations did not receive.  They also were a prosperous colony exporting ground nuts.  The French ended up giving independence to Senegal on June 20, 1960 as part of a union with Mali.  That was short-lived and Senegal became a separate nation on August 20, 1960.  Leopold Senghor, a catholic, became the first leader and is considered to be the founding father of the nation.  He introduced a new constitution in 1980.  Senegal is a poor country but unique in the world in many respects.

Senegalese Culture

The Sengelase have a motto, a way of life, called “Teranga,” which basically means “Hospitality.”  “The more I give, the more I have.”  This simple philosophy has shaped the nation in profound ways.

The country is made up of about 16 million people coming from about 20 ethnic groups.  The largest is the Wolof, however each ethnicity is important in the political, social and cultural spheres of the country.  The Wolof language is spoken by the majority of the people in Senegal and what you typically hear in the streets.  French and Arabic are considered to be the official languages, used in schools and government.

The country is 96 percent Sufi Muslim, a more mystical sect of Islam which was introduced in the 11^th century.  Christians, mostly Roman Catholics make up the balance.  They are a peaceful nation.  Western clothing is common in the urban areas of Senegal.  It is a choice however and many women prefer to wear a long, loose fitting, dress called boubous, with a matching headscarf.  

Like most African countries, Senegal has an age-old tradition of storytelling.  Written literature of Senegal is considered to be amongst the most important in West Africa.  Leopold Senghor, the founding father, is one of the most globally recognized poets.  Crafts such as glass painting, basket weaving, mask-making, wood carving, and textile painting are just a few of their specialties.

Music also plays an integral role in society.  The traditional music of the country has been influenced by the Malian Empire but it is faster and livelier.  Each ethnic group brings their own unique sounds and dance styles to the fusion of the nation.

Polygynous marriages are common in Senegal.  Households are often large and consist of a man and his multiple wives and children. The social structure is based on kinship.  Children and elders are highly regarded and children are taught social values at an early age.  In fact, the communal plate of food is a way to teach values.  The children have to wait, and only eat around the edges.  Adults get the triangle portion in front them and the women leave bites of protein for the children to enjoy.  With Teranga however, there is always room at the table for a guest. 

Senegalese Cuisine

Some say Senegalese cuisine is the best in the whole of Africa.  It has been influenced by North Africa, the French and Portuguese.   Being a nation of mostly Muslims, alcohol and pork are not consumed by the majority, but still available.  It is common to see a Senegalese enjoying a glass of bissap (a purplish juice made from the hibiscus flower) alongside a friend enjoying a local beer.

Because Senegal has rivers and borders the Atlantic Ocean, fish are very important to their cuisine.  Peanuts are the primary crop of Senegal.  In fact, they are one of the world’s largest exporters of peanuts.  Couscous, made of millet, white rice, sweet potatoes, lentils, black-eyed peas and numerous other vegetables, are considered staples.  Meat, fish and vegetables are typically stewed or marinated in herbs and spices and then served over rice, couscous or enjoyed with a French-style baguette.

Some of Senegal’s most popular dishes are: thieboudienne, which translates to the rice of fish, thiebou yapp, which translates to rice of meat and is typically made with beef or lamb. thiebou guinar is the rice of chicken and thiebou guerte is the rice of peanut.  Yassa, maafe and dibi are also popular which were made for neighboring countries.  Desserts like cinq centimes, aka the five cent cookie, is a peanut cookie that is quite popular as is thiakry, a millet pudding, or banana soup.

So let’s enjoy a Senegalese meal:

The Menu

Appetizer

Ndambe (Spicy Bean Sandwich)

Main Course

Thieboudienne (Fish and Rice)

Served with

Saladu Awooka Ak Mango (Avocado and Mango Salad)

Dessert

Thiakry (Millet Pudding)

We set the scene with the colors of the flag; red, yellow and green.  Peanuts started the decor, as that is their main crop.  Cotton, which is another important crop, along with millet were placed.  A soccer ball was added to represent the national sport.  A photo of the famous Baobab tree was placed which is also called “the tree of life” and is a national symbol of Senegal.  These massive trees are in danger from drought and population growth but you will find them in the center of many villages, and always serve as a gathering place.  We put on Youssou N’Dour music.  In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine described him as “ the most famous singer alive.” You should check him out.

Our first course was a famous street food that can be found all over the country.  It is called ndambe, a spicy bean and beef mixture that is slathered on a French baguette.  In Senegal, you first buy your fresh bread and then find your favorite ndambe vendor.  Sometimes they are made with lentils and have no meat.  It is a wonderful sandwich that is often enjoyed for breakfast.

The main course was the famous thieboudienne, pronounced “ceebu jen,”  the national dish of Senegal.  The classic Senegalese dish is a fish stew with vegetables, served over rice.  It is no ordinary fish stew as it is bursting with layers of flavor.  The fish is first stuffed or marinated with a puree of parsley, green onions, garlic, chili and Maggi.  (Honestly, this puree can be used as a marinade on so many things, I fell in love.)  The fish is then fried and set aside, the vegetables are cooked until tender with the left over puree, along with chopped onion and tomato.  Smoked fish and a unique ingredient called Netetou is added, which is made from a seed and then fermented.  It adds a unique, almost umami flavor.  It is a staple spice used in many West African countries.  The rice, typically made with broken rice kernels, is cooked until tender.  Then the whole meal was plated onto a communal dish, which was eaten using a spoon.   Alongside the main course, we enjoyed a refreshing avocado and mango salad.  This was the perfect accompaniment to the hearty main dish, as it had a lovely, fresh, citrusy flavor.

For dessert, we loved thiakry.  It is a sweet pudding, similar to a rice pudding but this was made with millet.  It was flavored with vanilla and nutmeg and topped with raisins and pistachios.  We enjoyed it with mint tea, which is served in three varying concoctions, as is done in neighboring countries Mali and Mauritania.

As we say goodbye to this most intriguing country of Senegal, it is my hope that we can all implement more Teranga into our lives. 

 I leave you with a few Senegalese proverbs:

“There can be no peace without understanding.”

“An empty belly has no ears.”

and

“A lobster loves water, but not when he’s being cooked in it.”

Until next time,

“Jai-rruh-jef”  (“Thank you”) in Wolof

Darlene

How did Saudi Arabia get its name?

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world named after a family.  The Al-Sauds have traced their origins back to the 1700s, when Saud bin Mohammad ruled as a local sheikh on the central Arabian peninsula.  The official name is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Where is Saudi Arabia Located?

Saudi Arabia is located in the Middle East.  It is a desert country that encompasses most of Arabian peninsula. It is large, about 830,000 square miles, and is the 13^th largest country in the world.  It has two coastlines, with a total length of 1640 miles; the Red Sea and the Persian or (Arabian) gulf coastlines.

It has many neighbors: Jordan and Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast and Yemen to the south.  It is separated from Israel and Egypt by the Gulf of Aqaba.

Despite most of the land being an uninhabited desert, which includes the world’s largest contiguous sand desert, called the Empty Quarter, it also has hills and mountains in the west and southwest along the Red Sea.  The highest peak is Jabal Sawda which rises 9,843 feet above sea level. The country has no natural lakes or rivers.

Riyadh is the capital and home to more than 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the country.  It is located in the center of the Arabian peninsula on a large plateau.

A Brief History of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia can trace its roots back to the earliest civilizations of the Arabian peninsula.  Over the centuries, it played an important role in trade but it is best known as the birthplace of Islam; the world’s second largest religion after Christianity.  Prior to the 7^th century, most of Saudi Arabia was inhabited by nomadic tribes.  It was Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, who was born in Mecca that united many of these tribes.  After his death in 632, his Arab followers began to expand the area of Muslim rule well beyond Arabia.

In the 16^th century, the Ottoman Empire took over, taking control of both coasts along the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.  It was in the 18^th century when the House of Saud began to emerge as a power.  Muhammad bin Saud started the dynasty along with Muhammad ibn Adb-dl-Wahhad, a religious leader and the founder of the Wahhabi movement.  They stayed in power until the Ottomans regained control in 1818.  This alliance, formed in the 18^th century, provided the ideological impetus to Saudi expansion and remains the basis of the dynastic rule today.  At this time, another family, the Al Rashid, also came into power.  In 1902, Abul-Aziz bin Saud returned from exile in Kuwait and seized Riyadh, ousting the Al Rashid and uniting the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia became an independent nation after the Ottoman Empire was defeated in World War I.  Abdul-Aziz bin Saud regained power.  In 1932 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established with Abdul-Aziz as king.  He set up Saudi Arabia as an absolute monarchy and has remained in power with six of his sons in succession, poised to reign over the kingdom. The king of Saudi Arabia is also known as the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.  Saudi Arabia is home to Islam’s holiest shrines in Mecca; one where the prophet Muhammad was born and Medina, where he was buried.

Saudi Arabia struck oil in 1938 and by 1949 was in full production.  This began under the US-controlled Aramco (Arabian American Oil Company.)  The discovery of oil reserves made Saudi Arabia one of the richest nations in the world.  They are the world’s largest oil producer and exporter of oil, controlling the world’s second largest oil reserves, and the sixth largest gas reserves.

In February 1945, King Abdul Aziz met with President Franklin D. Roosevelt aboard the USS Quincy in the Suez Canal.  A historic handshake, agreeing to supply the US with oil in exchange for guaranteed protection to the Saudi regime, is still in force to this day.  This agreement has survived seven Saudi Kings and twelve US presidents.

In 1960 Saudi Arabia became a founding member of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.)  In 1973, Saudi Arabia led an oil boycott against western countries that supported Israel during the October, Yom Kipur War with Egypt and Syria.  Oil prices quadrupled.  In 1980, Saudi Arabia took full control of Aramco from the US.

In 1994 the Islamic dissident, Osama Bin Laden, was stripped of his Saudi nationality and started the terror group known as Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.  On September 11, 2001 they staged the worst terror attack ever committed on US soil.  Planes were purposely flown into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.  Fifteen of the nineteen hijackers involved in the attack were Saudi nationals.

In 2011, the whole area in the Middle East was dealing with unrest, known as the Arab Spring.  In an effort to keep the unrest at bay, King Abdullah announced increased welfare spending and more rights for women, including the right to vote and to run in municipal elections.  This made Saudi Arabia the last country in the world to give women the right to vote.

The current leader is King Salman, however, his son, Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who is next in line to the throne, is believed to be the driving force behind Saudi reforms.  He has recently allowed women the right to get a driver’s license, and has allowed the return of public cinema.  However, the world was recently horrified over the killing and dismemberment of a reporter named Jamal Khashoggi, that occurred in the Saudi consulate in Turkey.  There has been an international outcry as a result and we are waiting to see what happens next.

The Saudis have also been funding a war in nearby Yemen.  Saudi Arabia is supporting the coalition (which is also supported by other nations, including the United States of America,) in fighting the Houthi rebels, which, since 2015, has resulted in a horrific civil war.  Yemen remains in the middle of a humanitarian catastrophe, yet it has been dubbed the forgotten war.

Saudi Arabian Culture

Saudi Arabia has a population of about 33 million people.  Its primary ethnic group is Arab and the main religion is Sunni Islam.  The country’s currency is the Riyal, which is tied to the US dollar.  The official language is Arabic.

The rich culture of Saudi Arabia takes its cues from its Islamic heritage.  Its historical role is as an ancient trade center and it upholds its Bedouin traditions.  The country is run by Sharia law and all of its holidays are based on the Islamic religion.

The highlights of the year are the holy month of Ramadan, a time in which they fast from dusk till dawn and which ends with the Eid-Al-Fitr, a holiday where families and friends exchange gifts.  Additionally, the hajj (pilgrimage) season, culminates with Eid-Al-Adha, when families slaughter a sheep in memory of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, and then they share the meat with the poor.  The hajj is a mandatory, religious duty for all Muslims to visit the holiest city of Mecca.  This must be carried out once in their lifetime.  The pilgrimage is considered to be one of the five pillars of Islam.

The country is 100% Muslim, except for the foreigners who are brought there for work, which accounts for some 9 million people.  There is no freedom of religion.  The Islamic teachings and Arab customs are taught in schools at an early age.

As the birthplace of Islam, the Kingdom places a special emphasis on preserving its Islamic archeological heritage.  The two most important sites are the Holy Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.   Minarets are the most visible, man-made, structures in Saudi Arabia.  They jut from the skyline of every urban center.  The minarets are meant to be a Muslim society’s bond with God.  The reason they rise above all other structures is to allow the call to prayer to be heard, which occurs five times per day.

Poetry, folk music and dancing are a living piece of the country’s history, which has been shaped by the nomadic Bedouins for centuries.  The national dance is the men’s sword dance, known as the Ardha.  Men carrying swords stand in two lines or in a circle, with a poet singing in their midst, while they perform the traditional dance.

Saudis prefer traditional clothes to western styles.  The loose flowing, traditional garments are practical for the Kingdom’s hot and windy climate, as well as in keeping with the Islamic ideal of modesty.  Men wear a typical white, ankle length shirt called a thawb.  On their heads they wear a large square of cotton that is folded over a skull cap and held in place with a cord.  Women customarily wear a black outer cloak, called an abaya, over their dress, which very likely is modern.  On their heads they wear a black, gauzy scarf that is wrapped around the head and called a shayla.  Some women wear veils made of sheer material, which has been a tradition even before the advent of Islam.  The thin veil provides protection from constant exposure to the sun.  Today, a veil is also a sign of modesty and virtue.  Jewelry has also been part of the Arabian dress for thousands of years.

Saudi Arabian Cuisine

Nearly all types of cuisines, including fast foods, are available in this wealthy nation, but the Saudis prefer traditional foods.  Also, despite the area only receiving about 4 inches of rain per year, they have managed to become food independent, and have developed a strong agriculture sector, producing all their own dairy and vegetables. They have built very deep wells and desalinization plants to provide for an ample water supply.

As Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state, pork and alcohol are forbidden.  Animals must be butchered according to Islamic law and blessed before they are eaten.  Saudi Arabia is the largest importer of live sheep and ranks as the highest consumer of broiler chickens.  Lamb is traditionally served to honored guests and for special occasions.  Camel is also consumed, as is its milk, which has long been a staple of the Bedouin diet.  The largest camel market in the world, selling a 100 head of camel a day, can be found in the capital city of Riyadh.  Yogurt is used in sauces, eaten alone and made into a drink called lassi.

The main ingredients in their diet are fava beans, wheat, rice, yogurt and of course dates.  Saudi Arabia has over 18 million date palms that produce 600 million pounds of dates each year.  Flat breads, called fatir or kimaje, which are similar to a pita, are used as utensils to scoop up their meal.  Thick soups are popular, as are stuffed vegetables, bean salads and tabbouleh, a salad made with bulgur wheat.

Often times, dates, dried fruits and nuts, along with sweet tea, are served as appetizers or snacks and sweet desserts are enjoyed at the end of meal.  Coffee, called gawha, is a centuries old tradition and served in tiny coffee cups.  It is considered very rude to refuse a cup of coffee and it should always be enjoyed in odd numbers.  Coffee houses are gathering spots for many Saudi men.

Spices such as cardamom, saffron, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and cloves are all prevalent in Saudi cuisine.   They also enjoy eating foods with a serving of a super spicy sauce, called shattah.

So let’s enjoy a Saudi Arabian meal:

The Menu

Appetizer

Akkawi Manakeesh (Arabic Cheese Bread with Nigella Seeds)

Main Course

Al Kabsa (Spiced Rice and Chicken)

Served with

Shattah (Spicy Hot Sauce)

Dessert

Ma’amul (Short Biscuits, Stuffed with Dates and Nuts)

We set the scene by placing a rug on the floor, as it is tradition to eat on the floor in a cross-legged position.  To decorate, we added palm fronds, dates and a sword, to represent the fight of Abd-al-Aziz.  A traditional coffee pot, along with a calligraphy pen was added, as calligraphy is a beloved art form there that dates back some 1400 years, to the first century of Islam.  Because its primary subject matter has been the Holy Qur’an, calligraphy is considered to be the quintessential Islamic art form.  An Arabian horse figurine was also placed, as they have a long history of breeding horses there.

We began the meal with a hand washing ritual, which is customary.  We then said, “Sahtain” which basically means, “Bon appetite” and “Bismillah,” which means, “In the name of God.”  Our first course was a scrumptious little cheese bread.  It was made with a flat bread and a salty cheese called akkawi.  The cheese comes in a brine and is rinsed to remove the salt before serving.  It was topped with nigella seeds and baked in a hot oven, similar to a pizza.  I also made another version that was topped with a spice mixture  called za-atar.  We loved them both!  We ate the bread with just our right hand, which is the socially acceptable tradition there.

For the main course, we savored the national dish called Al Kabsa.  It was reminiscent of other rice dishes I have made previously from the region; such as machboos, from Bahrain or murabyan, from Kuwait.  This was a spiced rice, with chicken dish but what made this one special, was the very, spicy sauce called shittah.  The sauce was served on the side.  To me, it truly elevated the dish and I will make that spicy sauce accompaniment often.

For dessert we had a very popular Arabic cookie, called Ma’amul.  It is a bit dry, like a short biscuit, but with a lovely nut and date interior.  They were baked in a ma’amul mold, which makes a lovely decoration for the cookie.  They were then covered with powdered sugar and rose petals.  The cookies went great with a robust, little cup of Arabic coffee.

When we finished our meal, we said “Diamah,” which means “May there always be plenty at your table.”  The Saudis are known for their generous hospitality to guests and strangers.  If you ever get the opportunity to experience this hospitality, you should definitely take part.

Until next time,

Darlene