Here is the statement from the US Department of State Congratulating Senegal on today’s National Day.
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Senegal National Day
Our close partnership with Senegal, now in its 61st year, is rooted in our shared ideals of participatory democracy, respect for human rights, and inclusive prosperity. The United States values Senegal’s regional leadership, including through its contribution to UN peacekeeping operations. We stand with Senegal in its efforts to advance tolerance, peace, and prosperity in West Africa, as we have since its founding.
Senegal’s future is bright. We look forward to working with Senegal to strengthen democratic institutions, expand trade and investment, improve public health, and fight climate change.
On this anniversary of Senegal’s founding, I wish the Senegalese people a happy Independence Day.
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African Heritage
A blog about African history, and heritage, through audio and video files.
“Femme Noire” de Léopold Sédar Senghor / “Black Woman” by Léopold Sédar Senghor

“Femme Noire” de Léopold Sédar Senghor / “Black Woman” by Léopold Sédar Senghor

I would like to share with you this poem of the late president of Senegal, Léopold Sédar Senghor. This poem is an ode to the Black woman, but above all, to Senegal his country. Yes… after reading it several times, one realizes that Senghor was writing an ode to the Black woman, his mother, his sister, his daughter, but above all to Senegal which could be loved just like a woman, and whose “beauty stroke him to the heart like the flash of an eagle”, and whose “Savannah stretch[ed] to clear horizons, savannah shuddering beneath the East Wind’s eager caresses.” This poem was published in ‘Chants d’Ombre’ (1945), English translation by Melvin Dixon (in The Collected Poetry (CARAF books …)). As you read Senghor’s poem, do you see other meanings? who do you think was the intended audience? Do you feel, like me, that he is praising Senegal, the land of his ancestors? or is he talking about the woman of his dreams? Enjoy!
Femme noire Femme nue, femme noire Femme nue, femme obscure Femme noire, femme obscure Délices des jeux de l’Esprit, les reflets de l’or ronge ta peau qui se moire A l’ombre de ta chevelure, s’éclaire mon angoisse aux soleils prochains de tes yeux. Femme nue, femme noire |