Surprising cultural attractions in Senegal's capital

Museum of Black Civilizations

Inaugurated at the end of 2018, the Museum of Black Civilizations is housed in a monumental building opposite the Grand Théâtre de Dakar. Thousands of pieces are on display inside, “from the remains of the first hominids that appeared in Africa several million years ago, to current artistic creations”.

The collection “exhibits the social and technological advances transmitted by black civilizations” in chronological order, and is very interesting. Basically, it addresses different aspects of the evolution of African peoples over time, so it is well worth a visit.

One of the most prominent pieces at the Museum of Black Civilizations is a huge steel sculpture installed in the museum's central atrium. It's called The Saga of the Baobab and is a work by Haitian artist Edouard Duval-Carrié.

Cheikh Anta Diop Mural (Vhils)

There are a handful of Portuguese urban artists whose oeuvre stands out worldwide. Names like Vhils, Bordalo II or Odeith express, each in their own way, limitless creativity and originality.

Well, Vhils (Alexandre Farto) has a project in the capital of Senegal, so I had to go and see it. It is located in the building of the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire at the Cheik Anta Diop University. And it is precisely Cheik Anta Diop—“a Senegalese historian, anthropologist, physicist and politician who studied the origins of the human race and pre-colonial African culture”—who is depicted in the mural.

Despite having seen more impactful works by Vhils, I didn't feel I had wasted my time. It is, without a doubt, one of the things to visit in Dakar. At least for street art lovers!

Arts Village of Dakar

If there are places that surprised me in Dakar, the "Arts Village" was certainly one of them. A creative hub that has been around for three decades, home to five dozen Senegalese artists and beyond (I was told that, in addition to Africans, there was an Argentinian artist!), from painting to sculpture, including less conventional expressions.

As I walked through Dakar's Village des Arts, I felt like I was in a mix of the Christiania neighborhood in Copenhagen with a more rudimentary Lx Factory. I can't explain it, but I loved the creative and irreverent atmosphere of the Village des Arts complex. There you can breathe freedom. And that is priceless.

In addition to the studios, inside the complex there is also a modern gallery that displays works by many of the resident artists. Unmissable!

Market Soumbédioune

Far more organized (or should I say touristified?) than the famous Sandaga Market, the Market Soumbédioune seems more geared towards tourism than the inhabitants of Dakar. At least that was the feeling it gave me.

Still, it's worth stopping by the Market Soumbédioune, checking out the crafts available for sale and interacting with the creators. Especially because it is on the way to the Almadies neighborhood, for those who have set up base in the plateau, the historic center of the Senegalese capital. I particularly liked the percussion instruments I saw being made right there.

By Filipe Morato Gomes / Alma de Viajante