Popenguine 5.22-5.24

Popenguine lies just a few hours south of Dakar. It is predominately a Serer community, which is a different ethnic group from the majority (Wolof) in Dakar. Serers speak a different language – Serer – and are predominately Christian (while most Wolof are of the Muslim faith). At the center of the serene and modest village of Popenguine is a beautiful and quaint church.






click on the photo for a closer look at the map of Senegal


On Saturday morning I walked out on the beach in time to catch some photos of a pirogue that just hit shore. First, the men worked to pull in the fish nets. Once they pulled them up to shore it was almost a free-for-all to retrieve the fish. Men, women, and children came to take their portion of the fish. It seemed a bit chaotic, but I’m sure there is some type of order to it. I didn’t quite understand the routine or rules of the distribution of the catch, but my best hunch is that this is a family/community deal. There are particular fish that are off-limits and will probably be sold for the best offer, while other fish, which hold less value, are for the families to eat (or sell). This may, in fact, be off, but if they are subsistence fishermen that would be my best guess.