Joal-Fadiout
Encyclopedia
Joal-Fadiouth is a village at the end of the Petite Côte
of Senegal
, south-east of Dakar.
Joal lies on the mainland, while Fadiouth, linked by a bridge
, lies on an island
of clam
shells, which are also used in local architecture
and crafts. The village has no motorised transport evidenced by the sign on entering. It has large Christian
and Muslim
populations with cemeteries
on another shell island. Another attraction is granaries
on stilt
s in the water.
in the area is assumed to have begun when the advance of the Almoravids
in the 11th-century forced them to leave the Sénégal River
's valleys, occupying the Petite Côte
and the region of the Sine River. Another theory claims that Joal and Fadiouth have been founded by the Guelwar when they were expelled from the kingdom of Kaabu
.
Both of these theories find their validation by observing the frequency of certain surnames, indicating ethnic group in the region.
In the early 17th century, until around 1635, a community of Portuguese
Jewish traders lived in the village, trading with West Africa
, Portugal
and Holland. Protected by the local chief, they were allowed to openly profess their religion, to the annoyance of the Portuguese (Catholic
) government.
During the colonial occupation
, Joal became on of the largest trading posts in Western Senegal. The setting up of European posts during the triangular trade
made the village one of the regions that was penetrated by missionaries as early as the 17th-century. The proselytisation however was met by strong resistance by the local population, delaying large-scale evangelising by the Europeans to the 19th-century when Senegal became a French colony. In 1850, a mission was finally established in the village, the first priest was ordained there in 1885.
It was during that time that the passage of El Hadj Umar Tall was commemorated by building a mosque for his appraisal. The important architectural legacy recalling this memorable passing are in danger of deterioration.
Today, Joal-Fadiouth is a part of the M'bour Department
, occupying the southernmost point of the Thiès Region
.
Bordering the Atlantic Ocean
in the west, the commune incorporates the rural community
of Nguéniène in the north and the rural community of Palmarine in the south.
Its mayors have been Jean Collin, Emmanuel Sobel Diouf and presently Paul Ndong.
and the humid Casamance
region.
Due to its position in an estuary, the greater part of the commune (3,021 hectares) is seasonally flooded.
The climate is typical of the Sahel with 3 to 4 months of winter from July to October and mild temperatures from November to April. The annual average temperature is 29°C.
The estuary is at any time of the year populated by mangroves, it is pervaded by bolong
s, arms of the sea common to the coast of Senegal, mixing salt-water with river water and sprinkled with little isles of sea shells populated by baobabs and acacias.
The mangrove woods are populated by sea birds (sea gulls, woodcock
s, pelican
s, flamingo
s). Monkeys, ciconia
s and hyena
s are also to be found there.
According to official estimates, the population of Joal-Fadiouth rose to 39,078 persons in 2007.
The population is predominantly of Serer
origin. In a country with an overwhelming majority of Muslims, the inhabitants of the isle of Fadiouth are 90% Christian.
and tourism
.
Petite Côte
The Petite Côte is a stretch of coast in Senegal, running south from the Cap Vert peninsula to the Sine-Saloum delta.The northern section near Dakar contains popular seaside resorts such as Saly-Portudal, Rufisque, Nianing and Popenguire, while the entire coast is home to the city of M'Bour and...
of Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
, south-east of Dakar.
Joal lies on the mainland, while Fadiouth, linked by a bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
, lies on an island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
of clam
Clam
The word "clam" can be applied to freshwater mussels, and other freshwater bivalves, as well as marine bivalves.In the United States, "clam" can be used in several different ways: one, as a general term covering all bivalve molluscs...
shells, which are also used in local architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
and crafts. The village has no motorised transport evidenced by the sign on entering. It has large Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
populations with cemeteries
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
on another shell island. Another attraction is granaries
Granary
A granary is a storehouse for threshed grain or animal feed. In ancient or primitive granaries, pottery is the most common use of storage in these buildings. Granaries are often built above the ground to keep the stored food away from mice and other animals.-Early origins:From ancient times grain...
on stilt
Stilt
Stilt is a common name for several species of birds in the family Recurvirostridae, which also includes those known as avocets. They are found in brackish or saline wetlands in warm or hot climates....
s in the water.
History
While the origin of the village remains disputed, the establishment of the SererSerer people
The Serer people along with the Jola people are acknowledged to be the oldest inhabitants of The Senegambia....
in the area is assumed to have begun when the advance of the Almoravids
Almoravids
The Almoravids were a Berber dynasty of Morocco, who formed an empire in the 11th-century that stretched over the western Maghreb and Al-Andalus. Their capital was Marrakesh, a city which they founded in 1062 C.E...
in the 11th-century forced them to leave the Sénégal River
Sénégal River
The Sénégal River is a long river in West Africa that forms the border between Senegal and Mauritania.The Sénégal's headwaters are the Semefé and Bafing rivers which both originate in Guinea; they form a small part of the Guinean-Malian border before coming together at Bafoulabé in Mali...
's valleys, occupying the Petite Côte
Petite Côte
The Petite Côte is a stretch of coast in Senegal, running south from the Cap Vert peninsula to the Sine-Saloum delta.The northern section near Dakar contains popular seaside resorts such as Saly-Portudal, Rufisque, Nianing and Popenguire, while the entire coast is home to the city of M'Bour and...
and the region of the Sine River. Another theory claims that Joal and Fadiouth have been founded by the Guelwar when they were expelled from the kingdom of Kaabu
Kaabu
The Kaabu Empire was a Mandinka Kingdom of Senegambia that rose to prominence in the region thanks to its origins as a former province of the Mali Empire...
.
Both of these theories find their validation by observing the frequency of certain surnames, indicating ethnic group in the region.
In the early 17th century, until around 1635, a community of Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
Jewish traders lived in the village, trading with West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
and Holland. Protected by the local chief, they were allowed to openly profess their religion, to the annoyance of the Portuguese (Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
) government.
During the colonial occupation
Colonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
, Joal became on of the largest trading posts in Western Senegal. The setting up of European posts during the triangular trade
Triangular trade
Triangular trade, or triangle trade, is a historical term indicating among three ports or regions. Triangular trade usually evolves when a region has export commodities that are not required in the region from which its major imports come...
made the village one of the regions that was penetrated by missionaries as early as the 17th-century. The proselytisation however was met by strong resistance by the local population, delaying large-scale evangelising by the Europeans to the 19th-century when Senegal became a French colony. In 1850, a mission was finally established in the village, the first priest was ordained there in 1885.
It was during that time that the passage of El Hadj Umar Tall was commemorated by building a mosque for his appraisal. The important architectural legacy recalling this memorable passing are in danger of deterioration.
Administration
Joal-Fadiouth was initially a canton, later on a county seat. It was elevated to a commune on 1 February 1966, with the process being completed by decree n° 72-82 on 3 February 1972 defining the borders of the commune.Today, Joal-Fadiouth is a part of the M'bour Department
M'bour Department
' is one of the departments of Senegal, located in the Thiès Region. Its capital is M'Bour....
, occupying the southernmost point of the Thiès Region
Thiès Region
-Administrative divisions:Thiès is divided in 3 departments , 11 communes, 10 arrondissements, and 31 communautés rurales.-Departments:The departments of Thies region are:*M'bour*Thiès*Tivaoune-Communes:In Thiès:*Pout*Khombole...
.
Bordering the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
in the west, the commune incorporates the rural community
Rural communities of Senegal
The Rural communities of Senegal are the fourth-level administrative divisions in the West African country of Senegal...
of Nguéniène in the north and the rural community of Palmarine in the south.
Its mayors have been Jean Collin, Emmanuel Sobel Diouf and presently Paul Ndong.
Geology
Joal-Fadiouth occupies an intermediate point between the Sahel BeltSahel
The Sahel is the ecoclimatic and biogeographic zone of transition between the Sahara desert in the North and the Sudanian Savannas in the south.It stretches across the North African continent between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea....
and the humid Casamance
Casamance
Casamance is the area of Senegal south of The Gambia including the Casamance River. It consists of Basse Casamance and Haute Casamance...
region.
Due to its position in an estuary, the greater part of the commune (3,021 hectares) is seasonally flooded.
The climate is typical of the Sahel with 3 to 4 months of winter from July to October and mild temperatures from November to April. The annual average temperature is 29°C.
Bolong
Bolong is a genus of iguanodontoid dinosaur known from the Early Cretaceous-age Yixian Formation of western Liaoning Province, China. It was named by Wu Wen-hao, Pascal Godefroit and Hu Dong-yu in 2010 and the type species is Bolong yixianensis....
s, arms of the sea common to the coast of Senegal, mixing salt-water with river water and sprinkled with little isles of sea shells populated by baobabs and acacias.
The mangrove woods are populated by sea birds (sea gulls, woodcock
Woodcock
The woodcocks are a group of seven or eight very similar living species of wading birds in the genus Scolopax. Only two woodcocks are widespread, the others being localized island endemics. Most are found in the Northern Hemisphere but a few range into Wallacea...
s, pelican
Pelican
A pelican, derived from the Greek word πελεκυς pelekys is a large water bird with a large throat pouch, belonging to the bird family Pelecanidae....
s, flamingo
Flamingo
Flamingos or flamingoes are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus , the only genus in the family Phoenicopteridae...
s). Monkeys, ciconia
Ciconia
Ciconia is a genus of birds in the stork family. Six of the seven living species occur in the Old World, but the Maguari Stork has a South American range. In addition, fossils suggest that Ciconia storks were somewhat more common in the tropical Americas in prehistoric times.These are large storks,...
s and hyena
Hyena
Hyenas or Hyaenas are the animals of the family Hyaenidae of suborder feliforms of the Carnivora. It is the fourth smallest biological family in the Carnivora , and one of the smallest in the mammalia...
s are also to be found there.
Population
The most recent census of 2002 put the population at 32,991 people.According to official estimates, the population of Joal-Fadiouth rose to 39,078 persons in 2007.
The population is predominantly of Serer
Serer people
The Serer people along with the Jola people are acknowledged to be the oldest inhabitants of The Senegambia....
origin. In a country with an overwhelming majority of Muslims, the inhabitants of the isle of Fadiouth are 90% Christian.
Economy
The main income of Joal is fishing (it is the largest fishing harbour of Senegal), agricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
.
Famous personalities
- The first president of Senegal, Léopold Sédar SenghorLéopold Sédar SenghorLéopold Sédar Senghor was a Senegalese poet, politician, and cultural theorist who for two decades served as the first president of Senegal . Senghor was the first African elected as a member of the Académie française. Before independence, he founded the political party called the Senegalese...
, was born at Joal. It is possible to visit his birthplace which carries the name Mbind Diogoye ("lion's mansion" in Serer)
- YékiniYékiniYékini is the nickname of Yakhya Diop , a popular champion of Senegalese wrestling, the most prominent variant of the Lutte Traditionnelle, a West African folk tradition which has become a major professional sport in the last two decades...
, the champion of Senegalese wrestlingSenegalese wrestlingSenegalese wrestling is a type of Folk wrestling traditional performed by the Serer people and now a national sport in Senegal and parts of The Gambia, and is part of a larger West African form of traditional wrestling...
was born in Joal.
- The first missionary that died in Senegal is buried in the cemetery of Fadiouth with a white cross marking his grave.
- In 2000, the writer Kama Sywor KamandaKama Sywor KamandaKama Sywor Kamanda is an award-winning African writer and poet.-Biography:Kama Sywor Kamanda was born on November 11, 1952, in Luebo, Democratic Republic of Congo, to a family of Bantu-Egyptian origin, father Malaba Kamenga and mother Kony Ngalula....
was made an honorary citizen of Joal-Fadiouth.