TOUBA (Senegal, 2005)

Anyone traveling to Senegal sees images of Serigne Touba everywhere. This Senegalese hero is reputed to have performed numerous miracles and been protected by God during his exile by the French colonial authorities. Every year millions of West Africans travel to the Senegalese city of Touba to celebrate Serigne Touba’s return from exile early in the 20th century. After his return Touba founded mouridisme, a sub-current of Islam which has strongly influenced Senegalese culture. Mouride literally means ‘one who wants to go to God’. Its followers worship God with song and dance. One famous mouride is the singer Youssou N’Dour.