Joal-Fadiout

Joal was the boyhood home of Senegal’s first president and poet Léopold Sédar Senghor.  During our stay in Joal we visited the Senghor home and museum where a guide told us about his life and contributions.

In the evening we joined local community members to watch a “lutte” (Senegalese wrestling) contest.

The next day we visited Fadiout, an island built on sea shells that historically has had a mixed Catholic and Muslim population.  A footbridge from Joal  leads to the island and another leads from Fadiout to a unique cemetery that contains both Christian and Muslim graves.

On this our last field trip we stayed one night at a hotel in Joal next to the ocean.  We enjoyed the beautiful setting, relaxed in the pool, and played hacky sack.