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The Sounds of Senegal

My experience (and my favorite parts of my experience) thus far can be summed up simply in the sounds of Senegal.

-The mosquito buzzing in my ear after I’ve spent at least 5 minutes wrestling with my mosquito net and am now desperate to fall asleep.

-The pound of my Deub hitting the onions, peppers and tomato sauce, the sizzle of the fish, the sound of the making of cheb ujehn

– The shouts and laughter of children as their soccer ball flies into the courtyard of the village mosque.

– The one terribly grumpy goat on my roof in Dakar who simply insists on waking me up an hour early.

– The clan of roosters on my roof in Darou Salam Sebikotaine that insist on waking me up 5 hours early.

– The street performer playing the perfect soundtrack to a lunch out for crepes, in a typical tricky Senegalese time signature I can’t seem to grasp, but adore.

– The smack of our feet against rooftop tile as we learn, or attempt, West African dancing.

– Djembe.

– The burst of a single firework just before a thunderstorm.

– The cries of children yelling “TUBAB! Tubaaab!!!” as I walk through the village to my school, Sebi Route.

– The splash of Ataya as its tossed back and forth over and over again from one glass to the other and the slurp and sigh that follow.

– The kind, Wolof words of the juice lady who, unfortunately cannot understand but appreciate.

– The 4:30 call to prayer, admittedly my favorite, for not even Beyonce can belt like that.

– The “beautiful, nice girl! You come to my shop, give you nice price!” inevitable in every market.

-The chant of the Baay Falls putting me to sleep.

– The hum of the fan as the power comes back on, if only for a moment.

– My baby brother shrieking with laughter at the animal noises my sister is capable of making and my mother shrieking as she falls of the couch after Senegal has scored a goal.

– The trot of a horse drawn cart as I hurry to get out of its way.

-The crack of a freshly roasted peanut.

-The scrubbing of my soapy clothes between my pruney fingers.

– The encouragement from my director and enthusiasm he has for all of my projects.

-The endless new ideas running through my head as I gear up to start my apprenticeship.

– The 12 bar blues coming out of my guitar, my midnight bliss.

– “Khadija! Khadija Wone!!” My sisters are ready and eager to show me around, and let me buy them bissap juice. My new name is quickly the most familiar sound. I am deja Dija.

Aubrey Haddard

About Aubrey Haddard


Aubrey is a musician/singer and tap dancer. She also has participated in school musicals in addition to serving as the photo and graphics editor of her school newspaper. Passing the time hiking and swimming in the local mountains, Aubrey also has a passion for math and science.

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