Family+and+Housing+(Isabelle)

= Senegal Projet = = Isabelle =

** Family **
The picture above is of the Hamidou Family of Senegal.

Senegalese people depend on their families. CultureGrams states "family is a source of strength and pride..." In most rural areas, extended Senegalese families live together. In most urban areas, families live in their own houses but close to their extended family. The family's elders are extremely respected and taken care of. Most families in Senegal are middle class families. Most work in agriculture, on their farms to raise crops. Because there is not much work in rural areas, the younger men migrate to urban areas to find jobs to support their families; this is great, however with the men gone it is up to the women to take care of the property.

**Grandfather**
The Grandfather is the head of the family. He helps the family with personal matters and gives advcice. Unfortunately, in most cases, the grandfather is too old to run the house compound, and he can no longer bring money into the family. He may act as a babysitter towards the children, while their parents are out. The Grandfather also represents the family at occasional village meetings.

**Grandmother**
The Grandmother works "hand and hand" with the Grandfather. She takes care of the family by means of affairs, such as ceremonies. Her knowledge and expierience allows her to tell great stories to her grandchildren, as she might babysit. She may assist with births and sicknesses. She also, sadly, prepares "funerals," when needed.

**Father**
The Father always follows the Grandfather. He will bring in food to the family, build houses, repair things, etc. He is a role model to his sons on how to farm. He takes care of his parents financially and materially. He is the one who would arrange marriges for his children, with the guindence of his parents. If something is to happen to the Grandfather, the Father will take over the head position.

**Mother**
The Mother works around the house doing daily chores. She guides her children, especially her daughters, through life. She works in the field, raising crops, and works in the ceremonies. She trains her daughters to be houeswives. She also helps arrange marriages.

**Children**
The Son assits his parents when necissary. He is the one who will take care of the household animals. He will also collect firewood for cooking. The Daughter assists the mother with her chores. She also supports her brothers in traditional ceremonies.

**Uncle**
The Maternal Uncle helps to settle family arguments. He also will help his sisters when her parents are no longer able to help. Many groups in Senegal prefer that a marriage for a man is to his Uncle's (nijjay's) daughter. The paternal uncle will be leader of the family in the absense of his brother. He will inherit his brother's wives and his compound. In most ethnic groups the Paternal Uncle will give away his niece in a marriage. Because of this, the parents are referred to him when trying to find a husband for their daughter.

**Aunt**
The Maternal Aunt helps prepare ceremonies and helps with family arguments. She helps her nieces and nephews when they are about to wed. Often times, during a girl's honeymoon, it is her Maternal Aunt that is the "overseer." The Paternal Aunt is often seeked by the young women when they need advice about men.

= **Housing** =

Namarel is a city in North- Eastern Senegal. The area around the town is rural. Someone would have to walk 37 miles to get to the nearest town.

In //Rural// areas, the houses are made of mud and brick, with thatched roofs, often straw. Most //urban// houses have concrete walls and corrugated tin roofs. These houses have several rooms. Houses in towns are usually made of cement, and their roofs are often made of tile or iron. This is typically where a large family would thrive. The huts in the //north// are square, their roofs are made of split palm trunks. The huts in the //south// are round and their roofs are made of bamboo covered by long woven-grass mats which keep rain out. Extended families live in a structure made of many one-room huts. The kitchen is a seperate area of the house. There is not that much furniture. Beds frames are made of branches and bamboo, while mattresses are made of rice sacks with dry grass inside.


 * The picture below is of the capital city Dakar. It is an urban city:**

** Rural Housing **
This picture is a Tukulor village on the edge of the desert in northern Senegal. These houses are made of mud and brick. The roofs are made of dried grass. The town is fenced it.

**Village Life**
Among villages, people live in compounds, the smallest unit in the village. The compound consists of a head leader, the wives, and children. Other relatives such as aunts, uncles, and cousins also live on the land. Compounds in the south- east area of Senegal, tend to be smaller because the area is not as populated. Usually, the small community isn't that far away from the village. The women and girls fetch water from the village and bring it back with them. The village square is a large open area, often with a big tree that provides shade, this is where activities will occur, meetings will commence. There is also entertainment.

**Bibligraphy:**
Brownlie, Alison. //Senegal//. Crystal Lake, Illonois: Rigby Interactive Library, 1997. Print.

Cavendish, Marshall. //Peoples of Africa//. Tarrytown, New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2001. Print.

Harris, Collin. //Thomson Learning//. New York, New York: Thomson Learning, 1995. Print.

Kelly, Molly Robinson. "Family and Relationships/Society, Traditions, and Beliefs." //Senegal with Lewis and Clark College//. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2010. .

"Republic of Senegal Housing." //CultureGrams World Edition//. ProQuest, 2010. Web. 9 Mar. 2010. .

"Republic of Sengal Family." //CultureGrams World Edition//. ProQuest, 2010. Web. 9 Mar. 2010. .

"Senegal Housing." //Encyclopedia Britannica//. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2010. .