“This is the Senegalese teranga!” No toubab (European white) can pass by this sentence when traveling to Senegal. The Senegalese, of a very warm nature, do not fail to recall that their country is that of teranga. And that's true! But what is teranga? The word can be translated into "hospitality". For me, it’s much more than that! It is this attitude that makes you always feel surrounded, that you are constantly welcomed, that you have the certainty of being able to trust a person you barely know, that you feel quite simply.
Teranga is the main reason why we can’t stop from this country once we’ve been there. It is what we hold as a priority of a trip to Senegal and what we lack the most return to the country.
As a Toubab, adaptation to this country can sometimes be harsh because of culture, traditions, living conditions and climate that are very different from ours. The teranga has the wonderful ability to make us forget the little tricks of everyday life to keep the best.
Be careful, however, that I call the “falsty terange”... those people who look warm and in whom we would give all our confidence but who in reality are only looking for one thing: make money, and that by any means whatsoever.
The inhabitants of Senegal are considered to be among the most welcoming in the world with foreign tourists... it is nothing to say! Tested and approved! It is up to you to make your idea by visiting this wonderful country that is Senegal.
Photos and blog post Laura Conesa from the blog Voyageons Ecolo
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