Dakar: Colonial Legacy and Contemporary Art Scene in Senegal's Capital
Dakar, the capital of Senegal, grapples with lingering colonial and neocolonial challenges. While the city maintains a level of stability, it is hindered by economic reliance on France, China, and Russia, alongside issues of corruption and disparities between affluent areas like Plateau and less privileged neighborhoods such as Fass and Medina. Literacy rates range from 45% to 51%, with only 40% for women. Foreign enterprises exploit local resources, including Chinese and Japanese fishing fleets, and gold mines owned by Canadian Teranga and Australian Resolute Mining. The city's colonial architecture is often overlooked, with few exceptions like the railway station. Dakar's vibrant art community is showcased in events like the Dakar Biennale, which began in 1989; the latest edition, 'The Wake,' concluded on December 7. Important cultural sites include the Musée des Civilisations noires, inaugurated on December 6, 2018, and the Maison des Esclaves, established in 1962. Prominent personalities include Youssou N'Dour and Cheikh Anta Diop.
Key facts
- Dakar is the capital of Senegal, one of West Africa's most stable countries.
- Literacy rate in Senegal is estimated between 45% and 51% (40% for women).
- Foreign companies exploit Senegalese resources: Chinese and Japanese fleets fish, Canadian Teranga and Australian Resolute Mining own gold mines.
- The Dakar Biennale, founded in 1989, became dedicated to contemporary African art in 1996.
- The 2024 Biennale edition titled 'The Wake' closed on December 7.
- RAW Material Company is a cultural center founded by Océane Harati in November 2018.
- OH Gallery was founded by Océane Harati in November 2018.
- Selebe Yoon gallery and residency was founded by Jennifer Houdrouge in December 2020.
- Musée des Civilisations noires opened on December 6, 2018, with 18,000 pieces.
- Musée des Femmes Henriette-Bathily opened in June 1994, moved to city in 2015.
- Musée d'art africain Théodore Monod opened in 1938, holds 9,000 objects.
- Maison des Esclaves on Gorée Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978, opened as museum in 1962.
- Cheikh Anta Diop (1923–1986) was a historian and politician advocating African independence.
- Madjiguène Cissé (1951–2023) was an activist for undocumented migrants and women's rights.
- Youssou N'Dour (born 1959) is a Grammy-winning musician and former Minister of Culture and Tourism of Senegal.
- Boubacar Boris Diop (born 1946) is a writer and founder of Defuwaxu.com and EJO publishing house.
- Mosquée de la Divinité was built between 1992 and 1997 by Mouhamed Seyni Gueye and the Naby Allah community.
- Grande Mosquée was inaugurated in 1964, funded by King Hassan II of Morocco.
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame-des-Victoires was inaugurated on March 31, 1929, designed by Charles-Albert Wulffleff.
- The Plateau district was historically reserved for Europeans after the 1914 plague epidemic.
Entities
Artists
- Cheikh Anta Diop
- Léopold Sédar Senghor
- Madjiguène Cissé
- Youssou N'Dour
- Boubacar Boris Diop
- Ousmane William Mbaye
- Aminata Fall
- Mouhamed Seyni Gueye
- Hyacinthe-Joseph Jalabert
- Charles-Albert Wulffleff
- Anna Quinquaud
- Blaise Diagne
- Abdoulaye Wade
- Macky Sall
- Nuno Tristão
- Diogo Gomes
- Robert Holmes
- Charles de Gaulle
- Anne Pépin
- Boubacar Joseph Ndiaye
- Barack Obama
- Théophile Obenga
- Asante Kete Molefe
- Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
- Hassan II
- Océane Harati
- Jennifer Houdrouge
- Peter Gabriel
- Paul Simon
- Manu Dibango
- Alan Stivell
- Nelson Mandela
Institutions
- Artribune
- Biennale di Dakar
- RAW Material Company
- RAW Academy
- RAW Base
- OH Gallery
- Selebe Yoon
- Musée des Civilisations noires
- Musée des Femmes Henriette-Bathily
- Musée d'art africain Théodore Monod
- Maison des Esclaves
- Université Cheikh Anta Diop
- Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire
- Banca Centrale degli Stati dell'Africa occidentale
- Teranga
- Resolute Mining
- Defuwaxu.com
- EJO
- Women's Network for Sustainable Development in Africa
- Amnesty International
- UNESCO
- Sorbonne
- Assemblée Nationale française
- Naby Allah
- Istituto Islamico di Dakar
- Federazione del Mali
- Movimento Democratico Africano
Locations
- Dakar
- Senegal
- Africa Occidentale
- Mogadiscio
- Luanda
- Karthoum
- Francia
- Cina
- Russia
- Plateau
- Fass
- Medina
- Ouakam
- Ngor
- Yoff
- Hann
- Cap-Vert
- Gorée
- Saint-Louis
- Bamako
- Conakry
- Abidjan
- Douala
- Camerun
- Thiaroye
- Casamance
- Marocco
- Libano
- Mauritania
- Capo Verde
- Guinea
- Parigi
- Italia
- Stati Uniti
- Canada
- Australia
- Giappone
- Portogallo
- Paesi Bassi
- Inghilterra
- Timbuctu
- Alto Niger
- Medio Oriente
- Grecia
- Saarbrücken
- Rwanda