lunedì 2 settembre 2013

SENEGAL - CASAMANCE


In contrast with the rest of the country, Casamance - French pronunciation; Portuguese: Casamança; the area of Senegal south of the Gambia including the Casamance River - offers a landscape of lush forests, rice paddies, mangrove, and huge kapok trees. Its beaches are considered the best in West Africa. The exceptional amount of sunshine, the warm sea, and the group of wonderful hotels scattered along miles of fine sandy beaches make this region a paradise for a relaxing vacation. A narrow sliver of land sandwiched between Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, the Casamance is a serpentine southern appendage to Senegal that shares few cultural affinities with the rest of the country. Geographically, this moist and low-lying region is dominated by the Casamance River, while its Atlantic coastline boasts some of the most beautiful beach resorts in West Africa. Casamance is home to very traditional people who jealously protect their identity. Some villages offer traditional accommodations and activities for the tourists in an ecotourism program that let the villagers use the income generated for development projects.


Divided in Basse Casamance (Baixa Casamança, Lower Casamance, i.e. Ziguinchor Region) and Haute Casamance (Alta Casamança, Upper Casamance, i.e. Kolda and Sédhiou Regions), its largest city is Ziguinchor, an easy-going place where live around 230.000 inhabitants - the second largest city of Senegal, after the capital Dakar -, with white houses and colonial Portuguese and French architecture. Ziguinchor is an attractive town whose wide palm-lined boulevards exude a likeably sleepy tropical ambience. 




The compact town centre is scattered with elegant buildings in varying states of disrepair. One of the town’s more venerable buildings, the Cathédrale de Saint Antoine de Padoue is a gleaming white apparition with candy-pink margins. On the waterfront, the most poignant feature is a modest memorial to the victims of MV Le Joola, the government ferry that capsized off the Gambian coast whilst travelling from Ziguinchor to Dakar on 26 September 2002. The Marché Saint Maur des Fossés welcomes traders from all over Senegal, as well as Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania. The adjacent Marché Artisanal supports more than a hundred craftspeople, and items on sale include beautiful sculptures. Another five minutes’ walk brings you to the Alliance Franco-Sénégalaise, an impressive circular thatched building constructed in the style of a traditional case à impluvium and decorated in bright colors. The alliance often hosts exhibitions of local art, there’s a pleasant bar-restaurant, and the main hall holds at least one evening performance per week, be it live music, theatre or dance.






Ziguinchor is a perfect base where to start exploring the region, taking a little pirogue at the mouth of the Casamance River. A classical excursion from Ziguinchor is the one to the Îles aux Oiseaux (‘Birds Islands’), a beautiful group of little islands where many wild birds nest and live, around 10 km from the city. Along the way, boats usually make a quick stop at small villages as Djilapao (with an interesting case à etage, a mud house of two floors, a rarity in the region) and the much bigger Affiniam, where it’s possible to enjoy a delicious meal and take a nap at the local campement, a typical guest-house structure of Casamance. Try the thieb yape, a delicious plate of rice in tomato sauce, meat and sweet potato, eventually followed by the strong local tea.


The region has ample rainfall, abundant in the south, and the lower course of the Casamance River is covered by dense vegetation; mangroves, oil palms, and raffia palms predominate. Rice, cotton, and corn are cultivated. The Casamance River flows westward for the most part into the Atlantic Ocean along a path about 200 miles (320 km) in length. However, only 80 miles (130 km) of it are navigable. The Casamance is the principal river of the Kolda, Sédhiou, and Ziguinchor regions in the southern portion of Senegal between the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. The three regions are also collectively known as Casamance after the river. The next significant estuary to the south is the Farim River in Guinea-Bissau, and to the north, the River Gambia, namesake of the Gambia. The climate is low-lying and hot, with some hills to the southeast. The Region has average rainfall greater than the rest of Senegal, exceeding 60 inches annually (1524mm) in some areas. The entire Casamance region experiences a tropical savanna climate.


The Casamance was subject to both French and Portuguese colonial efforts before a border was negotiated in 1888 between the French colony of Senegal and Portuguese Guinea (now Guinea-Bissau) to the south. Portugal lost possession of Casamance, then the commercial hub of its colony. Casamance, to this day, has preserved the local variant of Kriol known as Ziguinchor Creole, and the members of the deep-rooted Creole community carry Portuguese surnames like Da Silva, Carvalho and Fonseca. Interest in Portuguese colonial heritage has been revived in order to exert a distinct identity, particularly in Baixa Casamança. Bissau-Guinean people are also present in the region, as expatriates, immigrants, and refugees from the poverty and instability that since long affects the neighboring country, including a recent civil war.


The economy of the Casamance relies largely on rice cultivation and tourism. It also has excellent beaches along its coastline, particularly at Cap Skirring, also spelled Cap Skiring, a town on the Atlantic Ocean coast of the Basse Casamance. Cap Skirring is one of Senegal’s most famous resorts, every bit as beautiful as the Petite Côte further north, but with a more unspoiled feel. Coming from the fascinating but often climatically stifling interior, the fresh sea breezes that caress this lovely stretch of coast are a delight, while those who fly in from northern Senegal will be struck by the moister climate and lush vegetation. This beautiful stretch of coast is punctuated with white sandy beaches and rocky outcrops, while tracks lead from behind the shoreline to palm-shaded fishing villages surrounded by rice fields. The focal point of tourism here is the main drag through Cap Skirring, that was little affected by the unrest that plagued the rest of the Casamance in recent decades and managed to attract viable tourist volumes throughout the lean times. As a result, the local tourist industry comes across as very stable and settled, and facilities tend to surpass expectations. By contrast, the central market remains defiantly African in mood, as does the chaotic gare routière (bus and taxi station). Cap Skirring is a popular seaside resort frequented mostly by European tourists. A gorgeous, wide beach, some nightlife and several good restaurants (i.e.: La Maison Bleue, www.lamaisonbleue.org, specialized in seafood, Friday or Saturday night seafood buffet; or the very good Italian restaurant La Terrazza). A perfect place for holiday-makers, with an airport and a golf course. The town was first occupied by fishermen, who still live in a part of the town, easy to spot due to the big, colorful pirogues. It was ‘discovered’ by the French of Ziguinchor as a balneal zone in the 1960s. A landing strip for small planes was built at the end of 1960 by members of the Aero Club de Ziguinchor.

Much of the area that is now Casamance was once the kingdom of Kasa. Kasa’s king, or mansa, was a leading trader with the Portuguese, and Casamance takes its name from the Portuguese adaptation of Kasa mansa (king of Kasa). The region was subsequently inhabited by migrants from the Mali empire, the Diola (Jola), the Fulani (Fulbe), the Malinke, and other groups. Casamance was the last part of what is now Senegal to be conquered (beginning in 1903) by Europeans, and small pockets of resistance were active until after World War I. Isolated from the larger northern portion of the country, Casamance retained a distinct identity; many of its inhabitants, for example, retained traditional beliefs while the northern Senegalese adopted Islam. Its Diola inhabitants are known for their relaxed and friendly demeanor, a reputation that was undermined during the 1982-2004 civil war, when much of the region was unsafe for travel. Tourism has undergone a significant recovery since the signing of the 2004 Peace Accord, and the people of the Casamance remain as welcoming as ever, but driving after dark remains inadvisable, and cautious travelers should seek current safety advice before visiting.


The French liken the swampy Casamance to the Camargue, whose lagoons and marshes harbor spectacular bird and animal life. Certainly, the flat areas of wide waters reflecting the sky-blue heavens are reminiscent of that part of France. The further upriver one travels, however, the more arid and harsh conditions become. Rain seldom falls between mid-November and early May, and the Casamance can look very bleak and arid towards the end of this long annual drought. When the clouds break in late May or June, the ensuing storms are thrillingly violent. Floodplains that looked terminally lifeless a month before sprout fresh greenery, and the villages that cling to the life-giving margins of the Casamance take the opportunity to plant rice, millet, sorghum, maize and other crops. The first harvests, usually in September, are cause for great celebration, and colorful festivals - involving bright costumes, some agile dancing and traditional Diola wrestling competitions - are still held in a large number of rural areas. Between harvests, most villagers depend on the river for sustenance. Living in tune with the river, the people of the Casamance are great boatmen, and their pride in river skills shows in the elaborate designs of their pirogues.










A little ‘pearl’ of Casamance is Carabane, a tiny island that can be reached by pirogue from Elinkine’s wharf. The small village, surrounded by beaches, has some little hotel and restaurant, and a lot of local atmosphere. Don’t miss. in the heart of the village, a visit to the Breton Church of the XIX century. 















And, to end at the best our trip through Casamance, the last stop should be at the beautiful beach and town of  Kafountine, the perfect place where to relax for few days before taking the airplane back home. The long beach has several resorts, cozy and affordable, that also offer great food, surrounded by baobabs and other stunning plants. Daytime a little walk to the village is a ‘must’, for a jump into pure Africa. Tropical fruits, vegetable and colorful clothes points the market. In the outskirts of the town there are many rice fields, where - if it’s the right moment and we’re lucky - we can see the local women at work and, eventually, spot a gorgeous chameleon. Local people drink the bunuk, a strong alcoholic drink obtained by palm tree. It’s possible to see, here and there, plastic bottles hanging from the trees, used by the villagers that have an amazing skill of climbing along their very long trunks. Do not exaggerate, but…enjoying a sip of bunuk, while sitting at the beach during sunset, when cattle come back from the day in the fields and the sun sets on the horizon line, is one of the best memories Casamance and Senegal will leave with us. Enjoy it!


Published on CAAC Inflight Magazine (China)


BRASILE - SALVADOR DE BAHIA, IL MERCADO MODELO


Ai piedi dell’Elevador Lacerda, l’ascensore che collega la città alta (Pelourinho) a quella bassa (Cidade Baixa), nel quartiere di Comércio, tra banche e uffici. Inaugurato nel 1912, il mercato è stato vittima di cinque incendi e più volte ricostruito. In origine vi si vendevano frutta, verdura, animali, sigari, cachaça e oggetti legati ai riti del candomblé, la dottrina sincretica afro-brasiliana. Prospiciente la Baia de Todos os Santos, dopo l’incendio del 1969 è stato spostato nell’edificio attuale, in origine sede dell’ex dogana, un palazzo neoclassico del 1861. Oggi è interamente dedicato ai souvenir per turisti, diviso su più piani affollati di negozietti collegati da scalinate metalliche. Non più ortaggi né animali, ma vi si può trovare tutto ciò che rappresenta il folclore brasileiro: dai berimbau (lo strumento che dà il ritmo alla capoeira, di cui si possono vedere dimostrazioni acrobatiche sul retro del mercato: attenzione ai muscolosi capoeiristas particolarmente decisi a ottenere ‘collaborazioni’ in denaro se li avrete immortalati senza previa richiesta) ai mille ninnoli del candomblé (in primis il balangandã, specie di ‘portachiavi’ che raduna svariati portafortuna, ma anche le fitas, braccialettini con i nomi dei santi). 






Infiniti strumenti musicali, oltre il berimbau, dal pandeiro alla cuica, entrambi fondamentali durante le sfilate di carnevale. E poi: bellissime redes (amache, dai 10-15 euro in su), fresche camicie bianche di cotone con bottoni di noce di cocco (circa 10 euro), carrancas (scaccia spiriti di legno da mettere all’ingresso di casa), tovaglie ricamate a mano (di tutte le misure e di tutti i prezzi), le famose ceramiche del Pernambuco (scacchi, statuette, con prezzi a seconda delle dimensioni, partendo da pochi euro), magliette della santa seleção, quadri di pittori locali che raffigurano scene della città (le casette multicolor del Pelourinho, una roda de capoeira, i pescatori al lavoro a bordo di antichi saveiros - le barchette a vela immortalate da Amado). Occasionalmente, all’esterno, qualche cantastorie intona le note della literatura de cordel, le canzoni popolari ispirate alla storia o ai fatti di cronaca, i cui testi sono stampati su libricini appesi a corde, in vendita.


INDIA - GOA, JANMASHTAMI


Goa, September 28th

JANMASHTAMI 

Lord Krishna was the manifestation of all luxuries and worldly pleasures. He taught the meaning of life to the people. Life of God Krishna is entirely a manifestation of the fact that we humans are meant to live our lives on Earth, not to waste it. That is why, in order to commemorate Lord Krishna, devotees perform all the deeds that are close to the worldly things. For example, they wear new clothes and offer new clothes to Lord Krishna, beautiful decorations are made, musical events are organized and delicious dishes are offered to Lord.













Since ancient times, food has always been the centre of attraction for any playful event. As Janmashtami is also the one, food is the biggest highlight of this festival. 56 types of dishes are offered to Lord Krishna on this beautiful day, especially sweets. Some of them are – Chakli, Kheer (aka Payasam), Cheedai, Ladoos and many more.



As per the legends, Krishna was crazy for butter. He was so crazy that he used steal it out of the houses of his neighbors. Not only butter, he was crazy for all dairy products. Hence, butter along with other dairy products is offered in front of him. He also loved fruits; that is why numerous fruits are also offered to him.



Apart from all these things, singing songs on Janmashtami to enchant Lord Krishna and also singing the arti will bring you immense joy in life.  Happy Krishna Janmashtami 2013!





more photos of Goa on: