Spring 2005 Story Contest - Second Place
The Futa
Jennifer Pierson
CIEE Senegal Spring 2005
The most incredible experience of my Senegal semester was a rural visit to the North. The rural visit program sends all students to live with a Peace Corps Volunteer for a week to gain the experience of village life. It is strikingly different than life in Dakar and one could argue it is "true Senegalese life." I spent my week in a rural Pulaar village in a region called the Futa. Here I experienced a very distinct and proud culture that I greatly admired for its richness but slowly grew anxious over its difference.
Over the course of a week I learned about the Pulaar, Peace Corps, and the complexity of cultural exchange. I discovered the best way to learn about Pulaar culture is to walk into their lives and spend a day bombarded by their language, their customs, and expectations. I learned to admire the stubborn manner in which they refused to talk any language, including the predominant national Senegalese language Wolof, in place of their own Pulaar. The sound of the language would roll off the women's tongues in the market place as they shook my hand and remained contentedly oblivious to the fact I had no idea what they were saying.
I also learned the discomfort of living daily with a community that circumcises their women. I am an advocate of women's rights and feel strongly that female circumcision is an instrument of masculine domination with detrimental effects on female rights, health and individuality. However, I am equally passionate about international relations and promoting positive cultural communication. Everyone plays a role in diplomacy and conflict begins with judgment. I experienced an inner battle all week as I respected and enjoyed Pulaar culture and hospitality but grew distressed by Sara's stories of circumcision from a health volunteer and woman's perspective. This was a difficult lesson.
New surroundings, new people, and new stories have always been a source of energy and excitement in my life. I love to travel and get excited by meeting new and vastly different people. In the Futa I was hit by an uncomfortable reality. How do you move past the barriers created by contradicting fundamental moral beliefs? I yearned to embrace the people in the village as they welcomed me with an eager smile, brought me ripe tomatoes from their fields, or invited me eagerly to share in their wedding celebration. I left the Futa with intricate henna tattooed on my hands, my backpack, and a troubled heart.