Senegal

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Senegal has a rich and vast history as a country. Having been influenced by Muslim traders, the country is predominantly Muslim, and a major port of trade for African and European empires. Upon it's first contact with European traders in 1400s, Senegal became an important port for the slave trade, especially along the river and island Goree. From its initial contact with Europeans the original ethnic groups of Senegal was put under the power of Europeans. From the Portuguese to the Dutch to finally a three hundred yearlong French colonial rule, the Senegalese people were under foreign control for most of their history. Because of this, when they finally gained independence from the French in 1960, the country entered into a turmoiled Socialist regime. Only in 2000 did a democratic party enter power, lead by Abdoulaye Wade, however, his presidency also contained severe limiting of free speech and free press.

The cultural history of Senegal is very complex, as there are traditional ethnic groups highly influenced by Islam. The largest ethnic groups are the Wolof, who have shared the country with the Fulani, Tukulor, Serer and Jola. Because it has been colonized by the French the major languages in the country are Wolof and French.

The musical history of Senegal is very unique to African countries. Boasting on "the most developed music industries in West Africa," Senegalese music contains one main genre: mbalax, a modern Afro pop genre. In the early 90s, a Senegalese rap style emerged, called Tassou. Tassou, along with the "democracy" found in the 2000s opened the doors to one of Africa's most history rich hip hop traditions. Senegal also has a history of "griot" music. Griot, which means "jewel" in Wolof. The Griot was the passer of tradition and history in families, who passed on those stories through song. The Griot tradition has also strongly influenced the Hip Hop tradition in Senegal, which strays away from commercialized music and makes delivers a strong message.

Hip Hop in Senegal is currently considered to be extremely influential for conscious hip hop in Africa. The documentary "Democracy in Dakar" looks at hip hop's role in opening the channels of free speech in Senegal. Throughout the video, there are numerous Senegalese hip hop groups who have received major standing in both Senegal and also in the international market. There has been significant media coverage of the Hip Hop revolution in Senegal, because it is one of the only means of free speech in the country through the iron reign of the government and president Wade. One article by the same group who made the "Democracy in Dakar" dvd states that the "The message is that the country has not been doing so well under the current leadership of President Abdoulaye Wade, and that Senegal is in desperate need of a change." In this way, hip hop, more than anything is a means of expression and a political tool. Hip Hop has always been in Senegal, since the late 1980s, as in America. One Senegalese rapper states ""Hip-hop was born in Africa [and] went around the world to come back to Africa, like a boomerang that has been thrown from the motherland and is back home." It was crucial in the election of Wade, and now it is as important in resisting and expressing the voice of the Senegalese public through political, economic and social injustices.

Timeline Excerpts

- 1040 Zenega Berbers establish a Muslim Monastery in the southern region of current Senegal. The Zenega Berbers became the Almoravids who were Muslim and conquered North West Africa and went into Spain.

- 1150- 1350 The Jolof, Walo, Kajor and Baol Kingdoms are established within Senegal.

- 1444 Portuguese traders begin a trade route along the River Goree in Senegal. The main unit of trade was human chattel. The Portuguese struggled to maintain their control of the Senegalese trade route, and lost power to the Dutch and eventually the French.

- 1659 The French establish of a factory at N'dar which became the town of Saint Louis.

-1677 French takeover Goree from the Dutch, drastically increasing France's presence in the trade of slaves, gold and gum.

- 1776 The non-colonial country is majority Muslim because of Tukulor Muslims.

- 1958 Union Progressiste Senegalaise founded by Leopold Senghor, as a Marxist base political party.

- 1958 Senegal becomes a self-governing member of the French community.
- August 20th 1960, Senegal becomes it's own Independent country. Although it was part of West African Union with Mali (independent 1959) prior to its actual independence.

- September 5th 1960, Senegal begins self-rule officially, with the first elected president Senghor. Although, after 300 years of French rule, the country was still mostly geared to the French economic market and political system.

- 1963 elections lead to rioting in capital city of Dakar for political reform.

- 1970s-1980s Mass political change with the addition of a three-party system. Although the UPS party, which remained in the power of Senghor, still had power.

- 1980 Diouf elected president after Senghor's resignation. He opens up the political market, allowing many small parties to become established.

- 1980s- Hip Hop is created in the Bronx, America as a style of street music. This same music enters back into Senegal and gains head way there.

- 1982 Senegambia Confederation formally ratified, allying both countries in foreign diplomacy.

- 1989 The beginning of violent unrest throughout the country, in part due to post-election disappointment, but also to French foreign influence and neighboring African countries applying pressure on Senegal to be unified.

- 1989 Fight the Power, by Public Enemy is released. This song gains large popularity in Senegal, and influences many local Senegalese rappers to have messages in their songs.

- 1989 One of Senegal's most famous Hip Hop groups, Positive Black Soul is founded by DJ Awadi and Doug E. Tee.

- 1994 Senegal's first hip hop group Positive Black Soul (PBS) collaborate with Baaba Mal, and gain an audience.

- 1997 Daara J (Meaning School of Life in Wolof), on of Senegal's most famous rap trio (and featured in "Democracy in Dakar,") is founded. It is composed of three members, N'Dango D, Aladji Man, Faada Freddy. They rap in Wolof, French and English, and incorporate many cultural styles of music into their hip hop, including Mandinga and Bantu sounds.

- 2000, oppositional party led by Wade takes rule of the government, ending Senegal's past forty years of Socialist rule.

- 2006 Abdoulaye Aw creates Propagan'd Arts, which is an independent label and PR firm for different hip hop artists in Senegal.

- 2007 Democracy In Dakar, an independently produced documentary about hip hop in Dakar during the controversial 2007 presidential elections is made by Benny Herson of Nomadic Wax. This documentary brings a lot of attention to the strong voices coming out of Senegal.