AA / Dakar / Alioune Ndiaye
Troops dressed in traditional outfits from their respective lands and moving to the rhythm of traditional instruments releasing exquisite symphonies: the great parade of the Dakar Carnival took place on Saturday at the Blaise Senghor cultural center in the Senegalese capital in great fervor.
For this 3rd edition of the carnival which is a space for the promotion of cultural diversity, dancers, drummers, acrobats and other participants have once more responded despite the context of the World Cup which directs all eyes towards Qatar.
The public was well served on the occasion of the parade which saw, far from the “bling bling” instilled by modernity, a succession of traditional costumes having rehashed old memories among spectators.
“It’s the dance of the celebration of the end of wintering,” noted Bertrand Diémé, as a group of paraders passed by performing a choreography that the uninitiated cannot decipher.
“The step forward that comes with each movement following the blow of the stick means that the harvest will be good”, thus decoded Diémé, member of this community, the Diolas, living in the south of the country.
Tattooed lips, hairstyles lifted upwards, brightly colored boubous… A parade by a troupe from the Haal Pulaar community without question. This ethnic group whose culture is in the spotlight for the 3rd edition is distinguished by its great diversity.
“Unlike other ethnic groups, the haal pulaar live in distinct geographical areas. They are found in the north of the country, in the center and also in the south, so there are distinct specificities depending on the areas of establishment,” said Abdoul Ly, a member of this community.
“However, the tattoo around the mouth is a distinctive sign of the community, although it is also found among the Bambara ethnic group,” continued Ly, delighting in the rhythms accompanying the parade of members of the community.
From the ”goumbé” and ”ndawrabine” countries performed by the Lébou community paraders living mainly in the Senegalese capital to the ”ndiouk” dance served by the Serer community; for more than four turns of the clock, the spectators of the event which focused on the theme ”Culture and sport” were plunged back into the natural atmospheres of the country’s terroirs.
Space of affirmation of cultural diversity in the assumed unity of the Nation, the great Carnival of Dakar enhances our terroirs and offers a privileged showcase for the dynamism of our traditions in their modern future”, testified EL Hadj Hamidou Kassé, Minister Counselor arts and culture of the president of the republic.
“Dakar needs a big event, outside of the Biennale, which allows local people to come and perform in the capital to have visibility and achieve this international openness,” said singer Baaba Maal, sponsor of this edition. .
“Congratulations to the Dakar Carnival for bringing back fashion, cuisine, our way of life, because many of our foreign friends want to discover this Africa. For an artist, this type of international event represents a strong motivation”, continued the renowned singer who closed the evening with a concert during which the Xalam 2 orchestra also played his score.
The children were not left out for this event promoting culture. In traditional outfits, they paraded and participated in make-up sessions, as in ancient times.
Sunday, the closing day, was just as rich in entertainment with theatre, performances by actors from urban cultures and a sabar (ceremony with tam tams) ”nguel” with the Serer community.
“Beyond the festive aspect, Carnival is a way of contributing to the new African narrative and its soft power. It is for us to show that Senegal, and Africa have a rich history, cultures and lands that remain unknown, “said Fatou Kassé, general manager of Label com, in charge of the communication of the event.
After the curtains have fallen, projection is made towards the 4th edition of the annual program whose ambition is to activate culture for economic and tourist benefits for the country.
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