Cross-Cultural Orientation

The Cross-Cultural Orientation was by far the best and most useful of our orientations. We were introduced to cultural values and beliefs that govern personal interaction as well as a crash course on table manners. Family here refers to extended networks of people, and really there is little difference between extended relatives and blood relatives. People stay and leave our houses, (I guess just like us) and its hard to tell exactly who they are or how they are related.

Crucial terms:

"Nit" or person in Wolof, the dominant local language and largest ethnic group in Senegal, also refers to medicine, remedy, or tree- so "nit" means 'person as a remedy': which basically means we need each other or "No man (or woman) is an island."

Kersa- Humility; timidity.
Fayda- determination, assertiveness, dignity.
The Wolof believe in a balance between Kersa and Fayda.

Tegin- 'to place or put'. This means respect for the social hierarchy, especially elders. Senegalese society is somewhat casted.

Teranga- hospitality

Jom- perseverance, hard work, courage. "balls"

"Ku Munn, Munn"- "He who accepts/endures will smile." Everything is a God sent, and individuals are rewarded for endurance. This is an important part of Jom.

Many Senegalese are very superstitious, and careful not to attract the attention of bad "jinne" (ginnie)-spirits. Therefore one must be careful in making compliments, because if the bad jinne hear them they can curse the individual to whom the compliment is made. There are round about ways of making compliments, such as "your children are very ugly"- (Tubabs are encouraged not to try these until we become very familiar with the language)- and some even name their children things like "broken piece of glass" so as to trick the jinne.

Our cross-cultural facilitator explained that these beliefs underlie the Islamic institutions brought by the Moors. He explained that Senegalese identity (at least in Dakar) is stacked like so.



We were divided into groups so as to break down these bits of information and then present on them. Here I am explaining the finer points of the Senegalese family networks.


A fuzzy picture of me trying to mack. If the girl on the right looks confused, it might be my bad French...



Lady Tubabs get dressed for the meal, below.



Most people here eat on a mat on the floor around a huge bowl of food, with their right hand. Each person has their area, or slice of the pie, while the goodies are divided up usually by the mother or maid. Homeboy and I finish of the last of a large meal below. "Slow down man!!"



Here we are getting schooled.



Tubabs enjoying some delicious tea after the meal.