View source for Senegambia

{{Short description|Geographical region in West Africa}}
{{about|the geographical region|other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
[[File:Guillaume Delisle Senegambia 1707.jpg|thumb|Delisle's 1707 map of Senegambia.]]
[[Image:LocationSenegambia.png|right|thumb|{{legend|#00ccff|[[Senegal]]}}{{legend|red|[[The Gambia]]}}]]
The '''Senegambia''' (other names: '''Senegambia region''' or '''Senegambian zone''',<ref name="Barry slave">Barry, Boubacar, ''Senegambia and the Atlantic Slave Trade'', (Editors: David Anderson, Carolyn Brown; trans. Ayi Kwei Armah; contributors: David Anderson, American Council of Learned Societies, Carolyn Brown, [[University of Michigan]]. Digital Library Production Service, Christopher Clapham, Michael Gomez, Patrick Manning, David Robinson, Leonardo A. Villalon), [[Cambridge University Press]] (1998) p. 5, {{ISBN|9780521592260}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=rC7TYWPT--8C&q=senegambian+zone] (Retrieved 15 March 2019)</ref> '''Senegàmbi''' in [[Wolof language|Wolof]] and [[Pulaar language|Pulaar]], '''Senegambi''' in [[Serer language|Serer]]), in the narrow sense, is a historical name for a geographical region in [[West Africa]] roughly lying between the [[Senegal River]] and the [[Gambia River]]. However, there are also text sources which state that Senegambia is understood in a broader sense and equated with the term the [[Sudan (region)|Western region]]. This refers to the coastal areas between Senegal and [[Sierra Leone]], where the inland border in the east was not further defined.<ref> Johnston, Alexander Keith; Keane, A. H.. ''Stanford's Compendium of Geography and Travel''.  London : Edward Stanford, [https://archive.org/stream/africa00johnrich/africa00johnrich#page/111  p. 111: Chapter X - Western Sudan or Senegambia]</ref>

Geographically, the region lies within the tropical zone between the [[Sahel]] and the [[Guinean Forests of West Africa|forests of Guinea]], with Senegal and Gambian Rivers underpinning the region's geographical unity.<ref name="Barry slave"/> The region encompasses the modern states of [[Senegal]], [[The Gambia]], and [[Guinea-Bissau]], as well as portions of [[Mauritania]], [[Mali]], and [[Guinea]]. It should not be confused with the recent [[Senegambia Confederation]], which was a loose [[confederation]] between The Gambia and Senegal from 1982 to 1989, set up just after [[1981 Gambian coup d'état attempt|The Gambia's 1981 coup d'état]] where the Senegalese government intervened to reinstate the democratically elected Gambian government.

Spanning beyond the borders of the Senegambia Confederation, the Senegambia region was described by the Senegalese historian and scholar Professor Boubacar Barry of [[Cheikh Anta Diop University|UCAD]]<ref>Barry, Boubacar, and Laurence Marfaing. ''Interview Avec Prof. Boubacar Barry, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar: Mobilité Des Nomades Et Des Sédentaires Dans L'espace CEDEAO.'' Regions & Cohesion / Regiones y Cohesión / Régions Et Cohésion, vol. 3, no. 3, 2013, pp. 155–166. [[JSTOR]], www.jstor.org/stable/26452282.</ref> as historically "the main gateway to [[Sudan (region)|Sudan]], the cradle of the great empires of [[Ghana Empire|Ghana]], [[Mali Empire|Mali]] and [[Songhai Empire|Songhai]]" and "the centre of gravity for West Africa."<ref>Barry, Boubacar, ''La Sénégambie du XVe au XIXe siècle: traite négrière, Islam et conquête coloniale'', L'Harmattan (1988), p. 26, {{ISBN|9782858026708}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://standard.gm/site/2014/06/05/historical-perspective-senegambia-prospects-way-forward/|title=The historical perspective of Senegambia: The prospects and the way forward|date=5 June 2014|website=The Standard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611144006/https://standard.gm/site/2014/06/05/historical-perspective-senegambia-prospects-way-forward/|archive-date=2017-06-11|access-date=3 September 2018}}</ref>

== History ==
{{main|History of Senegal|History of The Gambia|History of Mali|History of Guinea|Serer ancient history|Serer history|Senegambian stone circles|Serer religion}}
{{see also| Sudan (region)}}

===Ancient history===
According to Professor {{ill|Abdoulaye Camara (professor)|lt=Abdoulaye Camara|fr|Abdoulaye Camara}} of [[Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire|IFAN]] and the [[Senghor University|Senghor University in Alexandria]], [[Egypt]], early humans appeared in Senegal around 350,000 years ago.<ref>Camara, Abdoulaye , ''Towards a New Policy to Protect Sites and Monuments'', [in] Claude Daniel Ardouin (dir.), Museums & Archaeology in West Africa, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. ; James Currey Publishers, London, (1996), p. 178</ref> Benga and Thiam posit that, it is in the [[Falémé River|Falémé]] valley in the southeast of the country where we find the oldest traces of human life.<ref>Benga, Ndiouga; and Thiam, Mandiomé, « ''Préhistoire, protohistoire et histoire'', [in] Atlas du Sénégal, p. 74</ref>

In Senegambian [[Neolithic]] history, the period when humans became hunters, fishermen and producers (farmers and artisans) is well represented and studied. This is when more elaborate objects and [[ceramic]]s emerged, testifying to various human activities.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} Mandiomé Thiam, ''La céramique au Sénégal : Archéologie et Histoire'', Université de Paris I, 1991, 464 pages (thèse de doctorat)</ref><ref name="Massamba">Lame, Massamba; Crévola, Gilbert, ''Les haches polies de la carrière Diakité (Thiès, Sénégal) et le problème des courants d'échanges au Néolithique'', Notes africaines, no. 173, 1982, p. 2-10.</ref> The Diakité excavation in [[Thiès]] shows evidence of human mobility over a distance of about 600&nbsp;km, during the Senegambian Neolithic age.<ref name="Massamba"/>

Located in south of [[Mbour]] (in the [[Thiès Region]]), an ancient culture referred to as the ''Tiemassassien culture'', ''Tiemassassien industry'', ''Tiémassas'' or just ''Tiemassassien'' was discovered during a Senegalese excavation half a century ago. Descamps proposed that this culture pertains to the Neolithic Era about 10,000 years ago.<ref>Descamps,Cyr, ''Quelques réflexions sur le Néolithique du Sénégal'', vol. 1, West African Journal of Archaeology (1981), pp, 145-151</ref> Dagan however proposed the [[Upper Paleolithic]] Era.<ref>Th. Dagan, ''Le Site préhistorique de Tiémassas'' (Sénégal), Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Afrique Noire (1956), pp. 432-48</ref> This culture was named after Thiès, the region it is in.

[[File:Wassu Stone Cirles shaunamullally 02.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Senegambian stone circles]] (Wassu)<ref>Gravrand, Henry, ''La Civilisation Sereer: Pangool'', Nouvelles Editions Africaines du Senegal (1990), pp, 9, 20 & 77. {{ISBN|2723610551}}</ref>]]

The [[Senegambian stone circles]] are also located in this zone. Numerous tumuli, burial mounds, some of which have been excavated, revealed materials that date between the 3rd century BC and the 16th century AD. According to [[UNESCO]] : "Together the stone circles of laterite pillars and their associated burial mounds present a vast sacred landscape created over more than 1,500 years. It reflects a prosperous, highly organized and lasting society."<ref>''Stone Circles of Senegambia'', [[UNESCO]] [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1226]</ref>

===Medieval period===
{{see also|14th & 15th century Africa}}
During the medieval period of Europe which corresponds roughly to the Golden Age of West Africa, several great empires and kingdoms sprang out from the Senegambia region, including but not limited to the great [[Ghana Empire]], the [[Mali Empire]], the [[Songhai Empire]], the [[Jolof Empire]], the [[Kaabu|Kaabu Empire]], the Kingdoms of [[Kingdom of Sine|Sine]], [[Kingdom of Saloum|Saloum]], [[Kingdom of Baol|Baol]], [[Waalo]] and [[Takrur]]. During this period, several great dynasties rose and fell, and some, such as the [[Guelowar|Guelowar Dynasty]] of Sine and Saloum, survived for more than 600 years despite European colonialism, which fell as recently as 1969, nine years after Senegal gained its independence from France. It was also out of this region that the ancient [[Lamane|lamanic class]] sprang. The ancient lamanes were the landowning class and kings. According to Barry, the "lamanic system is the oldest form of land ownership in precolonial Senegambia."<ref>Barry, Boubacar, ''The Kingdom of Waalo: Senegal Before the Conquest'', Diasporic Africa Press (2012), p. 26, {{ISBN|9780966020113}} [in] The Seereer Resource Centre, ''Seereer Lamans and the Lamanic Era'', (2015) [https://www.seereer.com/laman]{{Dead link|date=April 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

===Early modern and modern===
From the 15th century, the region became a focus of Franco-British-Portuguese rivalry. The Portuguese were the first to arrive in the region in the 1450s. Until the 16th century, they held a monopoly on trade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/~msj42/Senegambia.htm|title=Senegambia|website=Atlas of the Gambia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115042804/https://www.columbia.edu/~msj42/Senegambia.htm|archive-date=2017-11-15|url-status=dead|access-date=3 September 2018}}</ref>

In 1677, the French took the island of [[Gorée]], and in 1681 they took control of [[Albreda]] on the Gambia River. This started a rivalry with the English, and in 1692 they briefly confiscated Gorée and [[Saint-Louis, Senegal|Saint-Louis]]. In 1758, during the [[Seven Years' War]], Gorée was captured by the British, who held it until 1763. In 1765, the British formed the Senegambia Province. In 1778, during the [[American Revolutionary War|American War of Independence]], the French went on the offensive, and razed James Island in the River Gambia. In 1783, the Treaty of Versailles recognised British claims to The Gambia and French claims to Saint-Louis and Gorée, dissolving the Senegambia Province.<ref name=":0" />

The French pursued a policy of expansion and saw The Gambia as an obstacle. In the late 19th century, they proposed ceding [[Dabou]], [[Grand-Bassam|Grand Bassam]], and [[Assinie-Mafia|Assinie]] in return for The Gambia. The negotiations broke down but were repeatedly brought up again. After the failed 1981 coup d'état in The Gambia, a Senegambia Confederation was proposed and accepted. This lasted until 1989.<ref name=":0" />

===Slave trade===
{{see also|Atlantic slave trade#Slave market regions and participation}}
Senegambia was a prominent region in West Africa during the [[Transatlantic_crossing|transatlantic]] slave trade. An estimated 490,000 slaves were taken from Senegambia and put on [[Slave ship|ships]] destined for the Americas between 1650 and 1900.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lovejoy |first=Paul|date=2000 |title=Transformations in Slavery: A History of Slavery in Africa|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]}}</ref> 

Even before Columbus discovered the [[New World]] in October 1492, an increase in the number of slaves from the region arriving in the [[Iberian Peninsula]] was noted in the 15th century.

==Culture==
[[File:YoussouNDour08TIFF.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Youssou N'Dour]] at the 2008 [[Toronto International Film Festival]].]]
The Senegambia region has a rich culture including joking relationships ([[Sanankuya]]) between patrilineal clans and ethnic groups. This joking relationship ensures peaceful coexistence where one ethnic group can criticize or even insult another without the recipient taking offence. This bond of cousinage is called ''maasir'' or ''kalir'' in [[Serer language|Serer]], ''kal'' by the [[Wolof people|Wolof]], ''kallengooraxu'' in [[Soninke language|Soninke]], ''sanaawyaa'' in western [[Mandinka language|Mandinka]], and ''agelor'' in [[Jola-Fonyi language|Joola (Fogny)]].<ref>[[Mamadou Diouf (historian)|Diouf, Mamadou]], ''Tolerance, Democracy, and Sufis in Senegal'', [[Columbia University Press]] (2013), p. 168, note. 28,  {{ISBN|9780231162630}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=URcMAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA168] (Retrieved 15 March 2019)</ref>

The griot caste are found extensively in the Senegambia region. They preserve [[genealogy]], [[history]] and [[culture]] of the people. There is also a mutual exchange of cuisines among the inhabitants of this region. ''[[Thieboudienne]]'', originating in [[Saint-Louis, Senegal|Saint-Louis]], Senegal, has spread to neighbouring areas of West Africa over the years, where it is now better known as [[jollof rice]]. ''Tigadèguèna'', a [[peanut stew]], originated in Mali; another called ''maafe'', or ''domoda'' in Gambia, originated in Senegal.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bonnardel |first=Regine |title=Saint-Louis du Senegal; mort ou naissance? |year=1985 |pages=91}}</ref>

From the old and sacred music genre of [[njuup]] to the modern [[mbalax]] beats (derived from the [[Serer people|Serer]] njuup tradition<ref>Connolly, Sean, ''Senegal'', Bradt Travel Guides (2015),  p. 26 {{ISBN|9781841629131}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=7U7fCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA26]</ref>), the region has a rich and old music and dance tradition. Senegalese singer [[Youssou N'Dour]] was Africa's most famous singer (according to ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine in 2014), and held the title as Africa's most powerful and biggest music export for several decades (before [[Akon]], who is also from this region).<ref>Considine, J. D., and Matos, Michaelangelo, "Biography: Youssou N'Dour" RollingStone.com, 2004.</ref><ref>Africa Ranking, ''The most powerful African musicians'', by Clara Ninenyui (2017)  [http://www.africaranking.com/top-15-african-musicians/] (Retrieved 15 March 2019)</ref><ref>[[CNBC Africa]], ''Forbes Africa's Top 10 Most Bankable Artists In Africa'' (May 16, 2017) [https://www.cnbcafrica.com/featured/2017/05/16/forbes-africas-top-10-bankable-artists-africa/] (Retrieved 15 March 2019)</ref> The [[African Renaissance Monument]] built in 2010 in [[Dakar]], standing at 49 m (161 feet), is the [[List of tallest statues|tallest statue in Africa]].<ref>Nevins, Debbie; Berg, Elizabeth; Wan, Ruth, ''Senegal'' - Cultures of the World (Third Edition), Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC (2018), p. 8, {{ISBN|9781502636423}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=u9NoDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA8]</ref>

[[Senegalese wrestling|Traditional Senegalese wrestling]] called njom in Serer, laamb in Wolof and siɲɛta in Bambara is a favourite pastime and national sport in some parts of the region especially in Senegal.<ref>[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]],  ''Wrestling in Dakar'', film by Edward Porembny (Witness 23 September 2013) [https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/witness/2013/09/201391874241785531.html] (Retrieved 15 March 2019)</ref>

==Media==
{{main|Media of Senegal|The Gambia#Media|Media of Mali}}
Senegambian media are varied and include several radio stations, television channels, newspapers and Internet. Some of these radio stations and TV channels such as [[Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise]], [[Radio Gambia]] and [[Gambia Radio & Television Service|GRTS]] are publicly owned, but most of the media especially radio stations and newspapers are privately owned.

On 4 October 1973, Radio Senegal (Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision du Sénégal (ORTS) as it was known at the time), which had been in talks with Radio Gambia about producing a joint radio programme based on Senegambian history and broadcast in the local [[Senegambian languages]] came to an agreement, and the first ever recording of the programme ''[[Chossani Senegambia]]'' (the history of Senegambia) was made.<ref>[[Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof|Joof, Alhaji Alieu Ebrima Cham]], ''Senegambia - The land of our heritage'' (1995), pp. 7-9</ref> The show was prerecorded and both Senegal and Gambia broadcast at the same time every Tuesday. That was the first show of its kind within the Senegambia region, where two media houses from different states broadcast the same show at the same time every week. The Gambian historian, and statesman [[Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof]] who was former Director of Programmes and Head of Local Languages at Radio Gambia was one of the pioneers of that joint programme. In his book,  ''Senegambia - The land of our heritage'' (1995), p 12, Cham Joof writes:
{{cquote|The programme Chossanie Senegambia... has a higher audience in the Gambia and Senegal than any other programme broadcast by ORTS and Radio Gambia. It is the only programme that goes into the people's own culture and tells them about the history of their ancestors.<ref>Joof, Alhaji Alieu Ebrima Cham. ''Senegambia - The land of our heritage'' (1995), p, 12</ref>}}

==Ethnic groups==
{{See also|Ethnic groups in Senegal|Demographics of the Gambia|Demographics of Guinea#Ethnic groups|Demographics of Guinea-Bissau#Ethnic groups|Demographics of Mali#Ethnic groups}}

The Senegambian zone is home to various [[:Category:Senegambian ethnic groups|Senegambian ethnic groups]] including [[Wolof people|Wolof]], [[Fula people|Peul]] (or Fula), [[Toucouleur people|Tukulor]] (or Toucouleur), [[Mandinka people|Manding]], [[Serer people|Sereer]] (or Serer), [[Soninke people|Soninke]], [[Susu people|Susu]] (or Sousou), [[Jola people|Joola]], [[Nalu people|Nalu]], [[Baga people|Baga]], [[Biafada people|Beafada]], [[Bainuk people|Bainuk]], and [[Bassari people|Bassari]].<ref name="Barry slave"/>

==See also==
* [[French West Africa]]
* [[Senegambia and Niger]]
* [[Senegambia (Dutch West India Company)]]
* [[The Gambia–Senegal relations]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Senegal|Gambia|Mali|Guinea|Mauritania|Africa}}
* [https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6529489w/f15.image Laurent Jean Baptiste Bérenger-Féraud: Les peuplades de la Sénégambie. Histoire, ethnographie, mœurs et coutumes, légendes, etc. Paris 1879]
* Becker, Charles; Diouf, Mamadou, ''Une bibliographie des travaux universitaires. Histoire de la Sénégambie'' (A bibliography of academic works. History of Senegambia) [http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110224083324/http://tekrur-ucad.refer.sn/IMG/pdf/BTUBECKERDIOUF.3.pdf archive], [[UCAD|Université Cheikh-Anta-Diop]], 39 pages.

{{Senegal topics|state=collapsed}}
{{Gambia topics|state=collapsed}}
{{Mali topics|state=collapsed}}
{{Guinea topics|state=collapsed}}
{{Guinea-Bissau topics|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Regions of West Africa]]
[[Category:Senegambia| ]]
[[Category:Countries in West Africa]]
[[Category:Geography of Senegal]]
[[Category:Geography of the Gambia]]
[[Category:History of Senegambia| ]]
[[Category:Atlantic slave trade]]