The Welcoming Party

Heidi Isaza - Posted on November 24, 2008

In Tattaguine Senegal people are rarely alone. Often times in the afternoons you can find elders, adults, adolescents and even young children sitting together in the shade of the tree or open shelter closest to their homes.

When a visitor comes there is a question-and-answer ritual that must first be done. In many ways, it is like the American culture when we ask, “how are you doing?” and then move on without waiting for the answer. Except in Senegal, there is a series of questions that must be asked and answered.

In the Serer culture you can’t just pop over to your neighbor’s hut for a short visit or to borrow a cup of millet flour. When you go to visit someone in Senegal, there is a long, detailed and sometimes personal list of questions you are asked and expected to answer before your visit can turn to the reason you came.

Here, Jean Pierre, 11, a World Vision sponsored child helps us understand what happens when someone comes to your house in his culture.

“[First], I greet the visitor.

I tell them ‘come in’. I will give him water to drink and then I will ask him to sit down.

When you are the visitor you should first great all the people.”

The Visitor Must First Answer a Few Questions

“I will ask ‘how is your family?’

‘Is everything OK?’

‘No one is sick?’

‘How was your trip?’

‘Did you have any troubles?’

‘How is your country?’ (The area where they are coming from.)

If someone is my age, I will ask ‘how is your mother?’

I will really do my best to make sure they have a good stay. What we call this ‘gennar.’

I will take care of him.”

After the Introductions and the Interview

“Then, I will call all my friends and tell them, ‘I have a visitor, so come and stay in my house.’ Next time they come, they will say, ‘these are Jean Pierre’s friends.’

Then, I will give him the delicious meal and I will cook for him and then I will give him a tour of my village.

[Finally], we will sit outside so that he can know and talk with everybody.”

Come back in December and learn from Jerome about a special wrestling competition that happens in the Serer culture.

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