Located north of the Gambia and south of the Petite Côte, Sine-Saloum is a region in which were for hundreds of years the kingdoms of Saloum and Sine, the last pre-colonial kingdoms of Senegambia that have survived up to the 20th century. Only in 1969, after the death of their kings, the two kingdoms were incorporated into the new Republic of Senegal, independent since 1960. Their history, geography and culture were intricately linked, so it was common to refer to them as the Sine-Saloum.
Ethnically, Saloum was Serer, but gradually the Wolof immigrants have settled in along with the Fulas, Mandinkas, etc. Unlike Sine, which is ethnically Serer and deeply rooted in "Serer-conservatism", Saloum is more cosmopolitan and multi-religious. Traditionally the Serer people have been farmers and land owners. Although they practice animal husbandry, they are generally less known for that, as in the past, Serer nobles entrusted their herds to the pastoralist Fulas, even today.
Much of the region consists of mangrove swamps. The upper reaches of the rivers adjoin the Sahel region and are affected by its desertification. The salinity of the water increased, the mangroves disappeared, the freshwater fish are disappearing with them, and the villagers have difficulty obtaining freshwater. Several water pumps were donated by international organizations, but spare parts are difficult to find. The change in water salinity is affecting the ecosystem as much as the lifestyle of the inhabitants.
About the stamp
The stamp is part of a series of five stamps dedicated to NEPAD and issued on June 20, 2003. The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is an economic development program of the African Union, and was adopted at the 37th session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in July 2001 in Lusaka, Zambia.
References
Saloum - Wikipedia
Serer people - Wikipedia
Sender: Holger
Sent from Dakar (Dakar / Senegal), on 18.01.2016
Photo: MYD
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