Senegal: Traditional and Religious Festivals - Muslim Festivals

MUSLIM FESTIVALS

o Ramadan : no Recommended season to go to Senegal: the country's Muslims are tired, overwhelmed by thirst and hunger, religious imperatives sometimes make the dismal atmosphere for foreigners: traffic jams at the time of breaking the fasting, Changes of schedules, repetitive prayers, etc. If you go to Senegal at this time, choose to go on the Little Christian Coast or better: in Casamance. 

o The Tabaski : Muslim party called in Arabic Eid al Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice). It is the most important festival of the year in Senegal. God would have asked Abraham to slaughter his son to prove his faith. A very believing Abraham would have taken a knife to slay his son and as the blade touched his neck, a sheep took its place sparing a human life. Since the Muslims slaughter sheep for the feast of sheep. The immense problem in Senegal is that all Muslims even the poorest feel compelled to buy a sheep (which is not obligatory according to the Qur'an). The prices of the sheep blazing at this period (Up to 2500FF or 380 € the sheep), many families, ruin themselves, go into debt and mortgage the rest of their year to buy the finest sheep in the country. For overseas is the windfall to arrive a few days before Tabaski since all traders are trying to sell their stocks of goods at very low prices .... 

o The Korité : It is the festival that celebrates the end of Ramadan, the fasting of one month performed by Muslims. It is one of the most important festivals of the year. In all parts of Senegal, tam-tam and djembe play until late hours of the night to celebrate the end of a month of deprivation. 

o The Magals and other Sufi festivals  It is a festival of the Muslim Mouride congregation. There are several commemorating the exile returns of the founder of Mouridisme Cheikh Amadou Bamba, his stops in stations (no, I do not disconnect, there is a Magal to commemorate his stop at Louga station ... .). Many faithful go to Touba and hundreds of thousands of Senegalese parade through the streets. As for Layènes be celebrated calling Seydina Limamoulaye, the founder of the Brotherhood on Saturday 25 July 2007 .

o The Tamkharite : The Ashura, commonly known Tamkharite, is the tenth day of the Muslim New Year and coincides with the Hegira, which is a symbol. It is a minor feast in Senegal, although the commercial imperatives and the raising of the standard of living make it a little more animated each year. It is the tradition for those who can to kill an ox this sacred day. It's also a good time to meet up with family is eating lax, a dish of millet and corn sprinkled with curd and sugar. Delicious ! 

o The Maouloud : Day commemorating the birth of the prophet Mamadou (Mohammed) in 570 AD.

SOURCE: http://www.planete-senegal.com/senegal/fetes_traditions_senegal.php