As our Fulbright/Hayes Seminar on Religion and Diversity in West Africa winds down, I find myself with a free afternoon and thought I might recount the extent to which we've "gone to school". Much of our time spent has been a whirlwind of classes, seminars, lectures, and cultural tours.

Here is a brief list of some activities while in Senegal:(Most events were at least 2 hours long.)

-Professor Ibrahim Thiaw: A Pre-Atlantic History of West Africa---
-Professor Mamadou Fall:  West African Slave Trade and its Impact---
-Professor Penda Mbow: The Colonial Division of West Africa---
-All day trip to Goree Island, the gateway to the middle passage for slaves
-Dr. Fallou Ngom; Introduction to African Islam
-Dr. Timothy Longman: Introduction to Christianity in Africa
-Tour of the Grand Mosque of Dakar
-American Anthropology Association Conference, Dakar
-Abdoulaye Mbaye: Senegalese Culture and Politics
-Professor Ousman Senn: Introduction to Seereer Culture
-Visit to local village on Sippo Island
-Mr. Raphael Ndiaye: Introduction to African Indigenous Religions
-visit to childhood homes of President Leopold Senghor
-Professor Fatou Sow: Gender, Religion and Senegalese Culture
-2 evenings breaking Ramadan fast with local St. Louis Sow family
-Dr. Babacar Dieng: The People and Cultures of Northern Senegal
-Dr. Alpha Sy: West African Rural Culture and Religion
-Professor Mahmadou BA: Peaceful Co-existence Between Muslims, Christians, and Followers of Indigenous Religions
-Professor Abdourahmane Seck: Economic Development and Migration in Senegal
-Visit to Mosque, Catholic Church and cemetery with Cheikh Ibrahima Yaffa
-Paul Diedhiou: Exploration of Diola Society and Tradition
-Ibrahima Yaffa: Joking relationships as Conflict Resolution Strategy

Suffice to say I now know a bit more about Senegal and West Africa and can listen, speak, and teach with more wisdom than before.




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