Saint-Louis

Che Bu Jen is a typical dish for the inhabitants of this seaside town. It can be found approximately 300 kilometres from Dakar at the mouth of the Senegal River. The name, which is derived from the French kings named Louis, indicates that the town was founded by the French in the seventeenth century as a river fortress and the first European town in West Africa. Until 1902, it served as the capital of the whole of Senegal and the French colonies. It also played an important cultural and commercial role for all of West Africa.

→ Under the protection of the sea

The city was a trading destination not only for slave traders but also for Arab expeditions that exported and imported gold, pelts, precious stones, spices, and other goods. However, the coastline in the area is very treacherous for sailors, who often used the services of fishermen who were more experienced in the waters. Their business strategy was simple – either pay us now and we'll help you, or pay us in two days, which meant that the ensuing shipwrecks would give up their wealth anyway.

→ How do you recognize wealth?

As a city with a strong French influence and, at the same time, a mix of other cultures and inclinations shaped by the trade routes of other nations, Saint-Louis witnessed the emergence of new multicultural tendencies and the formation of a new humanism, which sometimes may have gone against the local population. However, the people of Saint-Louis were among the first to acquire official Senegalese citizenship and the right to vote. The island of Saint-Louis, which is part of the city, is even protected by UNESCO having witnessed colonial tendencies and in particular their influence on urban planning and cultural development. Houses with balconies are typical and they held a special significance in the past. They were display pedestals to show off prized feminine consorts of wealthy colonialists, the so-called “signars”. The balcony was a way of identifying the house of a truly rich and respected gentleman. Today, the city's population is approximately 258 000. Although it is no longer the capital, it is still considered an essential point of industry and tourism. It is also important for the fishing industry and the sugar industry. Interestingly, each activity is carried out by different tribes. The Wolof and Lebous are mainly fishers and form fishing communities; the Fulas, in contrast, live further from the sea and engage in shepherding and farming. In addition to UNESCO heritage, music festivals working with local music and historical roots are part of the culture and tourism. The Saint-Louis Jazz Festival, the most important jazz festival in Africa, is also held here.