This
day will bring us into a world different from the islands of Madeleine.
The programs of the day will be made in two different places : the
Island of Tenguène and the village of Yoff. In the morning, we
will go
to the Island of Teunguène and in the evening to the very
traditional
and conservative village of Yoff.
Heading for Teunguène
Having
got acquainted with families, we will go to investigate
Teunguène, the
first Area of the Community Patrimony of the world where the nature
became again chief of the areas and where the mythical aspect has a
very important place.
At the Island of Teunguène
Here,
we will notice the conservation of the natural environment favored by
the self-abnegation and the commiment of the local population.
The crossing
From
the coast, we will join the island of Teunguène aboard a craft
dugout
rented to the local fishermen. It will be an opportunity to have a
general view of the island and to appreciate also its morphology.
Visit of the Island of Teunguène
We
will accost on a sandy beach east of the island which faces the village
of Yoff. This is only place, sheltered from the swell, has a sandy
beach. However, it is in regression. The rest of the island, notably
coasts, is mainly occupied by cliffs of rather big size constituted in
particular by dolerite.
In front of us,
westward, we will observe the ascending shape of the island. In the
North, a 8,7 metre high cliff characterises the peak of the island. By
going southward, the relief bows in a hillside coming down up to the
sea.
The ornithological fauna which had left the island because of its
degradation reappears gradually. This is favored by the peace reigning
there since its erection in Area of the Community patrimony. The island
became again a centre of attraction of the birds where several species
can be observed.
Throughout our visit, we will discover a mythical world. The Island of
Teunguène presents a major importance for the lébou of
Yoff because it
is the house of a big genius, Mame Woré Moll. We will so visit
the
domestic altars which are installed there. We will observe the various
elements constituting them as well as the rests of the sacrifices put
down there.
The ox to be sacrificed is transported in a dugout up to the island. It
is red or black. During the immolation, not a single drop of blood has
to touch the water of the sea. So, the persons in charge of the
sacrifice of the ox have to wipe their hands before returning to sea.
Internal organs are put down under a cliff just after the three stones
constituting Mame Woré Moll's seat. A rock is specially reserved
for
the deposit of the head. Every time a new ox is sacrificed, the head of
the former animal is moved and replaced by the new one.
Besides, it is to underline that it is not authorized to everybody to
sacrifice an animal to the island. This task is exclusively for the
initiated persons.
So, the Island of Teunguène is a mythical site for the villagers
of
Yoff who come to pray for their personal wishes as well as for all the
village. They take there their ritual baths.
The Island of Teunguène has been a sacred island since the
age-old
times. It is the symbol of the affection of the Lebou to the ground and
maritime nature, as well as in its guardian genius Mame Ndiaré.
This
place of cult welcomes the offerings stemming from ritual ceremonies of ndeup and of tuuru practised
by the Lebou of Yoff.
After a visit rich in educations, we will join the accommadations
of families to have lunch in their company before preparing the
events of the evening.
The evening : cultural events
This evening will be memorable because rich in
traditional events. The group Gaal-Gui of yoff will make you discover
and like the Lébou culture. Their performances will enable you
to
estimate how much the culture of the sea people is interesting and very
colored. They will make you travel in a glittering world animated by
ballets such as sabar, ndawrabine and goumbe, kassack.
Sabar
Originally, sabar is a wolof name (Senegalese national language) meaning a
typically Senegalese ceremony held usually in the evening. Sabar is
also the name given to the tomtom. At the moment, there are modern
rhythms of dance called sabar. It is
generally organized during big days of enjoyment (baptism, marriage) or
of holiday. It is a important moment of conviviality gathering a whole
district or a village and making forget to the population the dark side
of the life. Guided by the rhythm of the tomtom of griots, the dancers
compete in talent. Sometimes, a trophy is given to the best dancer. If sabar belongs to wolofs, there are also other dances for
other ethnic groups : it is the case of ndawrabine and goumbé which have a Lébou origin.
Ndawrabine and goumbe Ndawrabine and Goumbé are Lébou traditional dances executed by women
and men
Dressed in big traditional bubus with several
grass skirts and subtleties decorating the head and a toothpick in
mouth, the women animate with skill the spectacle by forming beautiful
choreographies. The dancers sing at the same time the Lébou
praises.
This ballet presents the enthronement of the Diaraf, the president in
the Lébou government. After his enthronement, he offers a big
feast by sacrifying oxen. This is a sign of gratitude to his family and
all the community. During the day, it is danced at the rate of ndawrabine and of goumbé.
Kassack
In the Lébou community, kassack is
considered as a major event. Indeed, it is made by rhythms (with the
material of recovery) accompanied with initiatory songs. This practice
is generally for the initiated which, with their songs succeed in
protecting circumcised children from gossips and devils.
It is held every evening and arouses the interest and the craze of all
the relatives, the friends and the neighbours of the circumcised
children. These last ones are the first ones to invade places by
forming a circle inside which are the actors of the demonstration
whom(that) are : ndiouly (circumcise them), selbés (picture framers of ndiouly), the toko (first boy of the group to be circumcised), the
drummers of fusses.
It is the moment for circumcised to prove their courage. This will be
noticed during the dance steps which they will have to execute often
with stick blows. The one who will dance well without tears will arouse
the satisfaction of his family. On the other hand, the one who will be
afraid will receive penalties from the selbés.
His family also will not approve such an attitude that it will even
consider as a humiliation.
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