By RFIPosted on 16-10-2019Modified on 16-10-2019 at 00:05
In Senegal, the preparation of the Grand Magal, the most important religious festival of the influential brotherhood of the Mourides, is in full swing. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims converge these days from all over the country to Touba, about 200 kilometers east of Dakar, for Magal this Thursday, October 17th.
The Magal commemorates the departure in exile of the founder of the Brotherhood Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba in 1895. It is also a big popular festival, and sharing. Hanging on the phone, Aicha Gomis is in full preparation. She just arrived from Mbour, 200 km from Touba. " Here, there is no hotel! I am at my marabout's house. We prepare meals for the talibés .
" Our wishes will be granted "
The "Berndé", the big meals, are on the program, with the stories of the Koran, and prayers. For Maimouna Kouyaté, this is her first Magal, she comes from Guinea, to gather but also to do business. " I sell Guinea shoes. For the moment, it does not work too well, but it will be fine. Our wishes will be granted . "
In the city, it is already difficult to move. For this student of 20 years, no question of missing this appointment Magal, but avoiding the crowd. " I only go out at night. In the morning, it is too tight, there are too many people, I prefer to stay at home and come to the mosque at night . "
And no matter the time, near the Great Mosque, the speakers broadcast the Khassaids, the poems of Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba, day and night.
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