Things to see and do Casamance

Under the impetus of a French-Senegalese couple, Marie and Paul Bassene, this museum of traditional Diola culture saw the light of day in March 2018. Through ancient objects collected from the local population, we discover the Diola people and their traditions. The museum consists of four exhibition rooms: the construction of an impluvium hut in a green setting, everyday objects, seasonal activities and animist ceremonies. A pair of ostriches, in their enclosure, will majestically accompany your visit.

The Alliance française is worth a visit for its incredible architecture alone! Frenchman Patrick Dujarric drew his inspiration from impluvium huts to design this disconcertingly beautiful establishment. It's the only cultural center in the whole city. It boasts a library, exhibition space, open-air cinema and a large stage for events. The Alliance is also renowned for its restaurant, set in a shady garden. At the time of our report, the Alliance Française had been burnt down during riots in the city.

Created in 2010, this nature reserve covers 400 ha, between the arm of the Casamance River and the Atlantic Ocean. It is managed by an economic interest group that works in close collaboration with local populations, associations and training schools. Guides have been trained to accompany tourists to discover the local fauna and flora, especially birds, on foot or by bicycle. A small ecolodge with a panoramic view called Ecolodge Sembene Ousmane opened in 2014, and offers among other things a few rooms in an impluvium hut.

You won't waste your time going to the tourist office in Ziguinchor. Located in a colonial building that is worth a visit, the office also houses a small museum and some handicrafts. Opened in 2010, it is certainly the most operational of the country with Saint-Louis! It offers tours by dugout canoe, walking and 4x4 to discover the region at very interesting rates. It can concoct tailor-made stays according to your desires and book your boat tickets for an extra charge. Truly unmissable!

At "Joseph's", you will know all about the cashew tree, its apple and cashew nut! Paterne, who has taken over his father's business, Joseph Diamacoune, will explain the entire manufacturing process and you will quickly understand why the nut is so expensive. The visit is superb: lively, dynamic, rich in explanations. Small tasting at the end of the tour by peeling the nuts, before discovering the diversity of its range: from natural nuts, lemony, to honey, etc. Not to be missed under any circumstances if you are in the region.

Ten potters have joined forces to present their art to visitors. Less commercial than that of Evelyne Bassène, the visit takes place in a family-run concession where visitors are warmly welcomed. "Sit down and have a look", as the group's name suggests in the Diola language. They'll explain step by step the various stages involved in making the pottery, where the balance between clay and shells is essential to avoid broken pieces.

At the mouth of the Kalissaye marigot, this nature reserve is made up of several islets scattered in the heart of the Casamance river delta. One can observe many species of birds such as Caspian terns, white pelicans and Audouin's gulls. It is also a breeding ground for several species of turtles such as the loggerhead or green turtle. With a bit of luck, you will also be able to see dolphins and manatees.

Edioungou is famous for its pottery, the techniques of which have been handed down from mother to daughter for generations. In the village, each house has its own workshop. Come and see Evelyne who will generously show you her workshop (by appointment) and explain the whole manufacturing process, from the harvesting of the clay in the bolongs, to the firing on the mangrove branches, including a modelling demonstration and the application of a wild fruit-based varnish on the newly shaped piece. Possibility of a training course as well.

Kadioute is an open-air museum set in a forest of centuries-old cheese trees. On a guided tour at the foot of each tree, you'll discover instruments, utensils and detailed, humorous explanations of Diola culture. If possible, visit this museum at the beginning of your stay. You'll then have all the information you need to better understand your trip to Casamance. On the program: discovery of wrestling codes, palm wine harvesting, cooking, fetishes, the agrarian cycle, etc. Valère, the guide, is fascinating!

It is said that this cheese tree, several hundred years old, was planted there by migrants who settled away from the village of Djembéring when it was located in the place of the Sangawatte eco-museum (where remains have been found). There is a remarkable forest of cheese trees on the way to the sea in the direction of Nikine. Some trunks have been hollowed out for the construction of dugouts, plates, musical instruments... A walk is necessary if you are in the vicinity.

On the road to Djembéring, about ten kilometres from Cape Town, is the small village of Bouyouye, which is appreciated by some inhabitants of the region. Nothing really special, but still an authentic atmosphere, a gentle way of life, very close to the seaside resort. Inhabited by about 300 souls, the village is today entirely powered by solar energy, electricity and even water, thanks to the investments of a Belgian, very attached to this place. It is also a good place to stop for a bike ride for those who want to take their time and have a drink.

This open-air museum is located in the old village where the first inhabitants of Djembéring lived. Bones have been found there, proof of the existence of a cemetery, but no dating has been carried out. As in the Kadioute ecomuseum, we discover the culture and traditions of the Diola through an interesting journey, in the bush this time, where we discover objects of daily life such as fishing boats or mortar to plunder seeds. At the end of the visit, you will taste the local palm wine!

Jean will take you to see the village fetishist or the forest of cheese trees, giving very interesting information about Diola traditions and history. He can also suggest nice excursions, like going to Kachiwane by all-terrain vehicle, taking a pirogue to Nikine and returning by 4x4. Possibility of excursion by rowing boat to Egueye Island to see the crocodiles and the mangrove oyster harvest. A trip off the beaten track, which will delight travelers, we are here in the heart of Africa.

The craft village has a good sixty workshops-shops that can be discovered through shady alleys. Traditional clothing, jewellery, sculptures, batik fabrics, recycled objects, leather goods, paintings... this is an opportunity to buy your souvenirs. The village is interesting because you can see the artists at work, and you can easily chat with them. Take the time to go from shop to shop before making your choice. Then, it will be up to you to exercise your skillful haggling skills. Be firm!

Bio is a very friendly boatman who offers trips to Bird Island, Djilapao, Affiniam, Niamone North Shore at reasonable prices, and can take you to Pointe Saint-Georges and Carabane over several days, if you wish. Well trained, this guide will explain you the life of the birds, how the ecosystem of the mangrove works and will take you to authentic villages where you will spend a good time with the inhabitants. He also offers car rentals and bike rides in the heart of Casamance. A good plan!

You will probably be offered a pirogue trip to the Bird Island and then Djilapao. It is an animist village which shelters a hut decorated by an artist named Jean, who died in 2005, and who made his own museum, with personal sculptures, rather eccentric and not very accomplished, but speaking about the Diola culture. Sculptures, very imaginative and finally quite funny, like this sai-sai (dredger) drawn in situation or this fetish that casts a spell! The interpretations of each scene are endless and everyone draws his own conclusion.

The basketry workshop is run by local women with polio who earn their living from this local craft. Associated in GIE, they finance with the profits the purchase of pedal cars adapted to their handicap to get around. You can see them at work and admire their patience and agility in forming cups, pots, vases, hats, etc. They also make batik bags. Nice souvenirs to take home!

This traditional impluvium hut contains all the everyday objects used by a Diola family in the last century, following an ancestral tribal way of life. Tools, of course, for growing rice and catching fish, but also fetishes, kitchen utensils, the telephone drum used to pass messages to neighbors... An interesting visit, thanks to the explanations of Yannick, the museum's curator, who is passionate about Diola history.

What a majestic ochre earthen house on the main square of Mlomp, it is one of the most beautiful in the village! You will notice its pretty porch with earthen columns, nicely decorated with murals. One of the deans of the village, Séraphine Diedhiou, who died today, said that it already existed in 1962. You will meet Yannick, the curator, who will show you the interior, always very fresh, of the house, made with local materials: rônier, palm tree, earth... An ingenious system well adapted to the climate.

Created by Sister Juliette of the Institute of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, this Koukangoumé women's promotion centre offers workshops to the women of the village where they learn embroidery, knitting, patchwork, silkscreen printing and batik making. Profits from the sale of their work to tourists help curb the rural exodus of women. Possibility to eat on the spot. Another religious mission in Mlomp, that of the Piarist fathers, trains young men in their very efficient Agricultural Promotion Centre (Ferme-école di Kandong).