The various ethnic groups in Baraka

While it is true that the mixing of different ethnic groups in a country or community contributes to its cultural wealth, Baraka is particularly well equipped on this level because more than eight (8) races are everywhere. We went to meet some of them.
Many different ethnic groups live within the 10600 square meters of Baraka: the Fula who have origins in Guinea and the Fula of Podor and Matam regions; the Serer are from the Diourbel region; the Wolof, the Jolas and Ndiagos who come from Casamance; the Moors of Mauritania; and the Bassari from the Kédougou area. They are more or less represented in number, but all carry features and customs of their own.

Of these ethnic groups, the Fula people and the Serer people build the majority of the population of Baraka. They all live in this neighborhood in harmony, solidarity, joy and peace with such different cultures that are transmitted from generation to generation. Despite ethnic diversity, it is not easy to distinguish the Fulani of Serere because a Fulani knows how to express himself in Serere language and vice versa.

A member of the Serer in tradtional attire.

We cannot talk about ethnicity without ethnic culture that is defined as the set of skills and habits acquired by man. This includes both the time of the knowledge, beliefs, standards and expertise. The Fulani and Serer culture are quite alike on some issues, such as their clothes and most of their human values, because these two ethnic groups are cousins (Senegalese cultural specificity and ethnicity) so they tease each other.

Formerly the Serer lived in community in Diourbel. The Sine Sine (Serere living in Sine (*1)) were engaged in agriculture and livestock, and the Baol Baol (Serere living in Baol (*2)) practiced in the field of trade, which pushed them to join the big cities to find work. This is how some of them ended up living in Baraka. The Serer are recognized mainly by their very dark complexion and their bravery in the work.

The Fulani are recognized by their light complexion and the beauty of their women. Most of them work in livestock for the Fulani of Matam and trade to the Fulani f Guinea. The Fulani language (commonly called pulaar) is widely spoken in West Africa. They are very good people and workers with true ease of integration.

With all these cultural differences in Baraka, the population lives united and in community more than ever for its development.

In Senegal, the cultural diversity of our country is a special trait. It is country whose community lives in peace and tolerance with our ethnic and cultural kinship. We can say that for that reason in Baraka there is a beautiful harmony despite poverty and everyday worries.
*1: former name of the current region of Fatick in Senegal.
*2: former name of the current region of Diourbel in Senegal.