33 Countries of Origin’ Profiles

SENEGAL presidential term from seven to 5 years; he also promoted a spending review abolishing the upper house, the Senate, and the post of vice president 6 . Senegal has not been targeted directly by terrorist attacks but remains vulnerable due to porous borders, increased regional instability, and the terrorist activities associated with al-Qa’i’da in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and other like- minded organizations 7 . CULTURAL TRADITIONS: Religious tolerance is a national characteristic and norm; marriages between Christians and Muslims are not unusual as celebrating the festivals of other religions or decorating Christmas trees. In the urban cities, especially the capital Dakar, there are many Senegalese from diverse backgrounds assimilate into an urban-Senegalese identity that is primarily based on the Wolof language and western uses (alcoholism and drug use, mostly cannabis, have become very common). Most Senegalese (especially in the south) today follow Islamic custom in their rites of passage, including baptism, circumcision, marriage, and death. In many rural areas, religious leaders frown on dancing and sometimes forbids drumming or dancing. Women and men may eat at separate tables in the same room or they may eat in separate rooms. Women generally do not wear veils8 , they uses dresses and is rare sees women in jeans or pants; in the cities, most men and women wear Western-style clothing. Men typically wear shirts and trousers, and suits for dress occasions. Shorts are reserved for children, unless they are worn for sports9. Handshaking and putting the right hand to the chest is common between , mholding hands with other men while walking is a sign of friendship. Man greeting Woman just use a simple handshaking; in certain parts of southern it is common for women to bend their knees when greeting elders. Direct eye contact is considered unpolished, in fact making direct eye contact throughout a greeting and conversation can be a sign of arrogance. The Senegalese tend to lower their gaze while conversing, especially when speaking with someone senior to themselves in age or position 10 . Although most Senegalese are Muslims, cross-gender touch does occur unlike many other Muslim or Arab countries. Very religious men/women though may not shake hands with the other sex 11 . . GENDER RELATIONS: Senegal ranks at 82th out of 144 countries worldwide for gender equality in the index of Global Gender Gap 12 . T he Senegal's constitution guarantees equality between women 6 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14093674 7 https ://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21607 8 https ://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/cs/profiles/Mali-new.pdf 9 http://www.encyclopedia.com/places/africa/senegal-political-geography/senegalese 10 https ://www.commisceo-global.com/country-guides/senegal-guide 1 1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13881370 1 2 http://reports.weforum.org/global-gender-gap-report-2016/economies/#economy=MLI