A day like today...

Today is a great day for many people in Senegal. It's so, so big, that I can walk on the Plateau without worries and the taxi stand next door is empty: everyone's left Dakar!! I wish I had taken pictures of the Sandaga market today, half of its stands empty; of the streets of the Plateau without traffic jams, of the traffic jam leaving the city on Monday and the coffin (not empty) that was doomed to be exhibited to the passing (and stopped) traffic for the next 15-20 hours on its way to Touba. But I didn't. I felt so overwhelmed by the dimensions of the event and the lines of traffic that I didn't. Plus, I've become very shy with my camera out of a sudden, for no apparent reason

They say more than a million pilgrims go to Touba each year for the Magal. Touba is a holy city in Senegal (the holiest city, if the number of followers is an indication of holiness), the home of the Mouride islamic brotherhood. The city itself was founded in the late 19th century by the father of the Brotherhood, Cheikh Amadou Bamba; the celebration of the Magal (in Wolof, homage) was also initiated by C.A. Bamba to commemorate the day when he was revealed that his mission bringing back Islam to his people was finished. That day coincided with the day he, the greatest Khalifa of the Mourides, was sent to exile. All this they celebrate

I was invited to join a family and go to Touba this week, but the 15 hours of traffic jam that have separated Dakar from Touba in the last few days were very discouraging, so I decided to wait for another chance. I definitely have to write more about the Magal, the Mourides and the power that Marabouts have in this country. But today I've lost my opportunity, so I'll leave you with other toubabs' words (and images) of the Magal last year, in that part of the country where everything seems to be happening these days.