agination with the culture of colonialism. As Mbodj observes:
[Cultural] cohabitation is remarkable. Senegal was, for some 20 years, perhaps the only overwhelmingly Muslim country to have a practicing Catholic as President. Moreover, the current President is Muslim but his wife is a practicing Catholic (Mbodj, 2000).
Muslim polygamy is not unknown in modern Senegal; however, it occurs in less than one-third of Muslim families. During French colonial rule, for example, Muslim children might attend either (or both) Koranic school and government-sponsored public schools. Even today, many Muslim families whose children are educated in Koranic school attend French preschool (Mbodj, 2000).
Because Senegal was the centerpiece of French African colonialism, the country became--and remains to this day--francophone. French is the official language of the country.
Senegal has a fish-and-rice-based culture, although other grains, such as sorghum and grits (from corn), are also dietary staples. Seafood and peanuts are the principal agricultural exports of the country, and both commodities are important in Senegalese diet. Ocean fish as coastal Senegal's staple protein is comparable in status to its use in Japan. Poultry is the next most common source of protein. Two very popular national dishes are fish and rice and vegetables stewed in tomato sauce and lemon-marinated chicken and rice with peanut (locally called groundnut) sauce (Mbodj, 2000). Many fruits and vegetables are found in Senegal; dessert typically consists of fruit. Many soft drinks are made from fruits, although the most prevalent beverages are tea and coffee (Sandler, 1993).
Ceremony attaches to dining in Senegal, especially in the home. Typically, hosts and guests pour water over their hands as they enter the dining area and wipe them with a shared cloth. The method of eating is to use the first three fingers of the right hand, dipped into serving bowls (Sandler, 1993)...