Médina, Dakar
Encyclopedia
Médina is a commune d'arrondissement
of the city of Dakar
, Senegal
, part of the Dakar-Plateau
arrondissement, located in the southern part of Dakar.
Médina is one of the most ancient and most populous areas of Dakar, and one that has kept its original African character, as opposed to the modern districts of the Plateau. As such, it is also a cultural centre of the city. A number of notable Senegalese people, including the world-famous singer Youssou N'Dour
and Omar Pene
(another influential singer and musician) were born in Médina.
Médina also houses some of the prominent landmarks of Dakar, including the Grand Mosque
and the Soumbédioune market, one of the major street markets of Dakar, which is also a prominent tourist attraction.
Arrondissements of Senegal
The departments of Senegal are subdivided into arrondissements. As of 2007 there were 92. The arrondissements are listed below, by department:-Bakel:*Bala Arrondissement*Diawara Arrondissement*Goudiry Arrondissement*Kidira Arrondissement-Bambey:...
of the city of Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
, 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...
, part of the Dakar-Plateau
Dakar-Plateau
Dakar-Plateau is an arrondissement in the Dakar Department, and forms the central district of the city of Dakar.Senegalese arrondissements are quite different from the arrondissements of Paris, being merely local administrative structures of the central state, like the Senegalese départements, and...
arrondissement, located in the southern part of Dakar.
Médina is one of the most ancient and most populous areas of Dakar, and one that has kept its original African character, as opposed to the modern districts of the Plateau. As such, it is also a cultural centre of the city. A number of notable Senegalese people, including the world-famous singer Youssou N'Dour
Youssou N'Dour
Youssou N'Dour is a Senegalese singer, percussionist and occasional actor. In 2004, Rolling Stone described him as, in Senegal and much of Africa, "perhaps the most famous singer alive." He helped develop a style of popular music in Senegal, known in the Serer language as mbalax, a type of music...
and Omar Pene
Omar Pene
Omar Pene is the emblematic lead singer of the Super Diamono. He was born in the working class neighborhood of Derkle, in 1956. In the mid seventies , he joined the Super Diamono, one of the longest running Senegalese popular bands- just as the Orchestra Baobab and the Super Etoile of Dakar...
(another influential singer and musician) were born in Médina.
Médina also houses some of the prominent landmarks of Dakar, including the Grand Mosque
Dakar Grand Mosque
The Dakar Grand Mosque is one of the most important religious buildings in the capital of Senegal. It is situated on Allée Pape Gueye Fall.-History:...
and the Soumbédioune market, one of the major street markets of Dakar, which is also a prominent tourist attraction.