Religion, the reign of tolerance
Nearly 95% of the Senegalese population is Muslim. The country’s Islamization dates back to the 11th century, when the Almoradives (Berber warrior monks) conquered northern Senegal. The appearance of Christianity is much more recent. Often mixed with its two religions, animism, with its rites and beliefs, is still very present.
The particularity of the Muslim religion in Senegal is the existence of important brotherhoods led by marabouts who have a great influence on their followers. We can notably cite the Qadria, founded by Abdoul Qadir Al-Jilali of Baghdad in the 15th century, the oldest; the Tidjana which owes its rise to El Hadj Malick Sy, settled in Tivaouane, who attaches great importance to cultural and educational aspects; the Mouride brotherhood founded by Amadou Bamba Mbacké (1853-1927), whose departure into exile is celebrated each year in Touba on the occasion of the Magal, which welcomes more than a million faithful.
The Catholic religion appeared in the middle of the 19th century with the arrival of the first French missionaries. Evangelization was accompanied by the construction of the first schools. The parish of Mont-Rolland, in the Thiès region, was created in 1893 and owes its name to the Jesuit college of the same name located in Dole (Jura). The Cathedral of African Remembrance, in Dakar, was inaugurated in 1929. Go there on Sunday to attend the sung mass. Every year, at Pentecost, the pilgrimage of Popenguine takes place, where thousands of young people walk to the basilica and the sanctuary.
Most animists have in common a set of beliefs and practices, both religious and cultural. The belief in a single god, creator and master of the world is shared by all. This divinity is assisted by a messenger and by the spirits of the ancestors. There are places reserved for worship, where libations are practiced. Agrarian rites, accompanied by music and dance, take place at the end of the harvests.
Senegal is known for its great religious tolerance. It is not uncommon to have Catholics and Muslims in the same family and mystical beliefs often mix with religious practices.
As the first president of Senegal Léopold Sedar Senghor so aptly said: 95% Muslims, 5% Christians, 100% animists.