Life in Keur Bangou

[Senegal Photo Album 3]

Every morning, before meeting my team for breakfast, I would take an early stroll and was able to meet many villagers doing their morning chores. They were very friendly and often invited me to see what they are doing. Since most of them only spoke Wolof (the local language), we were not able to converse much, but they still talked to me and taught me easy Wolof phrases.

The sky in Keur Bangou is wide, and the land ends in the sky. The chirping of birds is non-stop from dawn to dusk. The air is clear, and the Milky Way runs across the night sky. People’s lives may be modest and simple, but they are so rich, surrounded by the real beauty of what Earth and universe offer.

Sunrise at the peanut field

Guinea fouls taking a walk in the peanut field.

This lady pulled a peanut plant from her field and gave me to taste. A raw peanut is slightly sweet and similar to peas.

Millet is nutritious, and is the most drought-resistant crop, so it’s vital to subsistent rural communities where soil fertility is sandy and poor, and rain is fickle.

“Salaamaalekum!” (Good morning!)

Donkey laughing (not really). It makes such funny sound and wakes everyone up in the middle of the night.

This family was enjoying the sunrise.

Goats and chickens are everywhere.

Ladies making couscous for breakfast.

These baobab trees are so tall and full of fruits.

School-age children engage in many house chores. I went to Keur Bangou during the summer vacation month.

Every morning, she was at the village square selling fish.

Baobab tree

Baobab flowers and fruits

The village chief’s wife and her kids/grandchildren

It’s time for breakfast!

There is no running electricity in Keur Bangou. Some houses had a small solar panel installed, just to light a room or two, or to broadcast morning prayers through loudspeakers.

Some houses have running water. They are the lucky ones since they do not need to fetch the water from the few wells spread across the village.

It is common for mothers to carry their babies while they do the house chores. I saw babies strapped to mothers’ back at the construction site, too.

A group of ladies transporting water from one home to the other.

The buns and the babies.

I cannot imagine how heavy the bucket is. Need to have a strong neck and perfect balance!

Football is very popular in Senegal. So many boys were hoping that we brought soccer balls for them.

The village mosque. Prayers are performed five times a day. The first prayer of the day is broadcast before dawn, around 5 am, with loudspeakers so that the entire village could hear.

Starry night — I’ve never seen so many stars in my life! When there are too many stars, it is tough to pick out the constellations. The Milky Way was beautiful.

There are a total of 4 photo albums from this trip:

1. Arriving at Keur Bangou and Work Site
2. Food and Cultural Exchange
3. Life in Keur Bangou
4. Time with Family and Departure

All images © 2019 Kay Tsuji, otherwise noted. All rights reserved.