Downtown DAKAR - Exploring Senegal 's vibrant Capital - 4K immersive TRAVEL WALK 2024

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Sandaga Market. We are in Dakar, Senegal. Join me as we stroll through the vibrant capital city. In this new episode, we embark on a journey to explore the bustling markets, vibrant streets, and the rich geography, history, and culture that define Dakar. Our journey begins at the iconic Sandaga Market, where the aromas of spices mingle with colorful displays of goods. We'll navigate through the lively streets until we reach Place de l'Indépendance a symbol of S

enegal's resilience and struggle for freedom. Finally, we'll explore Kermel Market, a treasure trove of local goods, crafts, and modern treasures, offering a glimpse into the soul of Senegalese life. So it's still early morning. It's around 8 am From Sandaga, I think we'll go to another market after which is called Kermel Market. These are two of the biggest markets in Dakar. I just want you to experience the life around here. It's still early morning. It's around 8.15. Welcome to the channel !

My name is Ludo. You're welcome. Here is just about discovering different places nowadays in Africa, you can already smash the thumb up if you are new to the channel, you can subscribe. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Dakar occupies a prime location on the Cape Verde Peninsula making it the westernmost city on the African continent. I think I will start the morning with a tea Dakar has a population of 3,9 million people Its total area is around 82 square kilometers. Yeah, that's maybe what I n

eed Good morning, what is this tea or coffee ? Touba coffee Okay, I’ll take one ! this is what we call the “cafe touba” here This is a coffee tea, which is kind of very spicy I don't know how to describe it. It's only to be found in Senegal. that's a good way to start the morning and wake you up. so the coffee is infusing inside here this coffee is not only made with coffee, in fact, it's a mix of coffee and spice. And it has been named “Touba” according to the name of the city here in Senegal,

inside of the coffee, which is like a dripping coffee. They put some spice. I think it's Guinee pepper. I would look for it. And it can be also another spice. I forgot the name now is something called Seki (Selim pepper) If I'm not mistaken the kind of coffee you have to try in the morning when you are in Dakar or where-ever you are in Senegal let’s go for a walk the main activity will be to get lost around here Dakar's history dates back to pre-colonial times, with evidence of human habitati

on by the Lebou people as early as the 15th century. The Lebou, known for their expertise in fishing and maritime trade, established thriving communities along the coast of what is now Dakar. These early settlements served as important trading posts, facilitating commerce between local communities and distant lands. European interest in Dakar began in the 15th century when Portuguese explorers arrived on the shores of the Cape Verde Peninsula. In the 17th century, the Dutch, British, and French

established trading posts in Dakar, vying for control of the lucrative trade routes along the West African coast. The French eventually gained dominance in the region, I can see a nice baobab tree, let us walk that’s a very nice baobab tree Let’s get lost in the city It is kind of already busy, I don’t know how it looks like when you are here around midday there are a lot of fruits to be found here I don’t know if they are all produced in Senegal Under French rule, Dakar became a major port city

, serving as a hub Its location on the Atlantic coast made it a vital stop for the transatlantic slave trade and later colonial expansion. serving as a major departure point for enslaved Africans for the Americas. Thousands of enslaved persons were forcibly transported through Dakar's ports, enduring unimaginable suffering and tortures before embarking on the treacherous journey across the Atlantic. France played a significant role in perpetuating the brutal practice of slavery, forcibly capturi

ng and transporting millions of Africans to the Americas for exploitation and forced labor. with countless individuals torn from their homes and families, enduring unimaginable suffering and loss. While slavery officially ended in the 19th century, its lasting impact on African societies continues to be felt to this day let us go in the small alley here to see what’s to be seen there is one thing I discovered in Senegal. there are a lot of stray cats you can see many cats everywhere It’s very di

fferent from Lagos, where I am based the smell of mint ! it’s very good you can see a beautiful mosque here good morning Sir, what is this please ? this is honey Are you doing it yourself ? It is 2000 the small bottle (3,5USD) ok I will buy one do you have change on 5 000 cfa ? this is honey I don’t need a plastic bag I’ll put it directly inside my backpack (another customer arriving) hello Are you okay Sir ? Yes I am fine thank you thank you Sir I cannot resist, I have to take the honey myself

. I'm not taking it much because of my problem with sugar level. But my wife will be very happy. So first buying for today, honey, 2000, which is around $3 for this honey. there are many streets to be discovered I will keep walking in that direction because I think straight in front of us, is another market which is called Kermel Market what is this ? is this yogurt ? good morning ? how are you ? what is this ? is this yogurt ? I can eat it straight, like that... now ? (she doesn’t understand me

, and ask help from a younger guys) yes there is two types ; with suger or without sugar I would like to buy a little buy seat around and it it here which one is the best ? this one ? yes okay, thank you can I seat around here ? fresh yogurt this is very good this is another coffee touba spot... I took another coffee after the yogurt I ask the lady how much and i try to give her money... she speak to the boy who did translation before I wanted to pay for the yogurt, but the lady refused about th

e expenses today : Another 50 cfa for a coffee ( 0,08 USD) the yogurt was free that’s the way people like to welcome foreigners I guess as you are walking in the streets, the smells are actually very good. It's a mix of fruit and coffee, spice. So you don't feel it, but it's kind of very windy. And I would say the temperature is cool maybe around 19 or 20 degrees, which is kind of very different from Nigeria where I am based because even during the night, the temperatures are not going down. But

here, if you go out by night, you cannot go with only your shirts. You need to cover yourself a little bit because the nights are cooler that's the different streets. Koranic school the children are going to school, So I was asking yesterday to someone, the proportion of Muslim and Christian here and I was kind of surprised by the answer because he told me about 95% of the population here is Muslim. I thought it was more balance. And I thought because of the how can I say that not French influe

nces, but French colonization, maybe it would be more more Christians, but apparently it's not. So 95% of the population here is Muslim. I think I'm good for the coffee now. I keep working straight. I think in front of us here in the square, which is kind of famous, which is called Independence Square. Let's see how it looks like “Place de l’indépendance” Police station here. the street is closed here Many police here? I don't know. What is this about? Okay, we've reached the Place de l’indépend

ance very high buildings around here. It looks like a nice square. It says that this square has been built in a symmetrical way. this one of the heart beating of the city with some government building around here. behind the trees here. I will try to show it to you now. Some old colonial buildings around here. yeah, let me show you. So one of the main colonial buildings around here is what we call the “chambre de commerce”. I don't know how to say that in English. Maybe in business room. So her

e it is. It's one of the most famous building around the square here. So as you can see, people are just coming here maybe to relax a little bit in the morning. That's a nice square. okay. What you can see in front here is the memorial. It says to our death people, the country is paying tribute to the dead people of the two wars. we French people have a lot of links with, Senegalese, during the two world wars War Senegalese helps us to fight a lot. Unfortunately, they do not have the recognition

they should have. so many Senegalese fighters, we call them. “tirailleurs Senegalais” they belong to the ... to the fighter who helps the French to get rid of German during the Second World War They fought a lot for France. They have been brought to France and they do not have the recognition they should have. Let me find a way here to the second part of the square here is greener. Let's see. This is very well-maintained. Very, very well maintained. So, yeah, if you want to stroll around here,

I would say that if you're planning a day in Dakar, this may be the place for you to have a small break and relax. It is still very early morning I'm not tired yet. I keep walking and I bring you to kermel Market, so I hope you are enjoying the walk. once more time you're support is highly welcome. You don't need to do much. Just press the thumb up please. And if it's your first time on the channel, I definitely recommend you to subscribe. There are many things to be seen Traveling content, Vlo

g content. Informative content. Historical content. My name is Ludo and you are mostly welcome on the channel, don't scare your energy in the thumb up Press it and share the video to your friends if you like it and you can have a look on the channel. There are many things to be seen, Despite facing discrimination and unequal treatment, the Tirailleurs Sénégalais displayed remarkable courage loyalty, and resilience on the battlefield. These brave soldiers played a crucial role in defending France

often fighting in harsh conditions and sacrificing their lives often fighting in harsh conditions and sacrificing their lives Following their service in conflicts such as World War I and World War II, many Tirailleurs Sénégalais faced challenges reintegrating into civilian life and accessing the same rights and benefits as their French counterparts. Despite promises of pensions and honors, some Tirailleurs Sénégalais encountered bureaucratic obstacles Efforts to raise awareness about the contri

butions of the Tirailleurs continue today, with advocacy for their proper recognition Monuments and memorials serve as reminders of their courage and sacrifice, ensuring that the legacy of the Tirailleurs Sénégalais is not forgotten so I'd be walking in that direction in front here. I think we don't need more than 5 minutes to reach the market. This is the next destination. I hope you are enjoying the walk click the like button to support the video So this here looks like another official build

ing. okay, ministry of Foreign Affairs, maybe. Yes, that's the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here. That's why army is in front a that's a very nice bike it looks like there is a lot of work ongoing in the city center. Many places like this one here has been maybe demolished to be rebuilt. What I can tell you is that the city has changed a lot in the last ten years because I was here myself the last time in 2014. And I barely don't recognize the roads and the infrastructures. They have changed a lo

t for the best. The city is quite a developed good roads and a good transportation system. Taxis and yeah... this is Dakar for you I think we are approaching Kermel market. Yes. you can see the building here. This is the markets. Okay. Let's go inside this market. Welcome to Kermel So this market is a very old and traditional market. It's a circular building. As you can see, I will round around Wow, the smell different mix of spices good morning I am fine thank you I have avocado, papaya.... ho

w much is melon ? 1000 CFA per kilo it is around 800 g this melon is it ? no, maybe, 1,2 kilo they are produced in Senegal it’s produced here ? yes ! from Casamance ? Yes and also Saly it is 1,400 kg 1400 CFA, ok, I’ll take it don’t you want to take avcadoes ? they are from Guinée you have change ? I will take something else... how much is grape ? 2000 this is imported ? yes from South Africa I prefer local products avocadoes are grown here Ok, Ok, two avocadoes, to eat tonight I’ll take a pear

also for my daughter pineapple ? grapefruit ? it is okay, only this. did I just see your daughter on the phone ? yes and this is my son here 3 200, you don’t have coins ? sorry i don’t no problem, let’s do like this he reduced of 200.... thanks a lot, see you next time have a good day, thanks It smells so good Let's see here. the more you come in the middle the more it is, non-veg, but meat. So apparently the veg on the side. And when you reach the middle of the market, as you can see, .... wow

this is a really big fish !!! what is this type of fish ? it is a grouper fish are you taking it ? I wish I can but I can’t eat all alone you keep the rest how many kg is it ? 25 kilos Okay. Okay. 25 kg a fish like this ! I wish i can take it, but I really can’t eat it all Have a good day ! “mérou” the French name. I don't know how we write a translation grouper fish = mérou Okay, now, this is the chicken area. these shrimps looks good ! if I have more time and if I have a kitchen around here,

I would for sure buy these seafood products because they are very, very, very fresh. So back on the edges on the vegetable side. Okay. This is maybe what I'm looking for. I think this is what I'm looking for to make some juice I would like some smaller bag This is what they called. “pain de singe” (baobab fruit) good morning do you have smaller bags ? I want to buy a little this is too big, I want to buy a little less How do you call it yourself ? this is 2000... yes, but what’s the name here ?

to make a drink is it? give me half, around 1000 CFA Okay. thank you thank you have a god day Madame. good morning, how are you ? trying not to fall good morning , I have nice fruits and bissap (hibiscus flowers) I have plenty bissap home (it is called zobo in Nigeria) So what they call bissap here is a hibiscus flower. This is what we used to call Zobo in Nigeria. I have plenty of it. I don't need to buy it Mint, different type of vegetable. Okay. I think I will go out of this circular market L

et me show you the building now. I don't know whether you can see the roof Many stray cats it looks like this Mama is expecting some new babies Okay, so we go out to the market and try to hang around it to see what's to be seen here. art and craft good morning, come one, just for the pleasure of the eyes this is nice this is a “dogon” door yes I know very well If I had money and space to bring it back... no problem to bring it back yes I know, I am in Nigeria You stay in lagos ? Lagos yes bring

it I can wrap it nicely, and you take it.... yes , yes, I know , thanks You know Kumasi in Ghana ? yes because i travel a lot i know Accra Cape coast, you know cape-coast ? yes for sure for me Cape-coast, el mina are the loveliest places of Ghana I went to Takoradi the nice beach there I climbed in the castle the slave castle this is a nice piece this is the pharmacy box the dogon pharmacy, it can be opened it is a very nice piece you see all the carving i even have a smaller one I don’t have mo

ney for this I just came for vegs you can find an ATM around here I have only the card from Nigeria, it is not a visa.... and the Nigerian currency, you don’t take it out with you ? I have some, back in the place where i stay in Mermoz you see even here behind, it belongs to me I even have the big doors many interesting to buy with me are you staying here, or in holidays I came for the wedding of my cousin you often travel to Ghana ? yes, it is not very far, I go there with the motorcycle even B

enin you have been there yes for sure this is our neighbours you have been to Ouidah ? the python temple i was living there Ouidah , it is quiet yes it is... Even Abomey yes a little north with the king of Abomey I have been to the museum... Ah you know well the history then You are senegalese ? yes but I traveled for the work I even seat on the throne of the king he used heads of his enemy yes the 4 cranes down the fit of the throne he was seating on the cranes of his enemy you know he had 2 00

0 wives if you were looking one, they will cut your head off 2 000 problems yes this is the king of Abomey my name is Ludo, I am Moktar I’ll give you my card, if you have time later I’ll come with children and madam thank you ! “carrefour de l’art ancien” I also do drums I am also musician, I play the guitar I am “griot” ahh you tell stories it was my initial profession, but when I travelled, i discovered art because i stayed in a vodoun house in lomé yes i know very well I was staying with a vo

doun chief thanks a lot Sir ! thanks Ludo have a good day, best of luck So you can see people are really laid back. And welcoming here good morning, are you fine ? around kermel market you can buy a lot of handicraft good morning Sir I am very fine, thanks I just bought fruit and veg and I go now you don’t even look ? sorry, I have to rush back home childrens are waiting to eat I’ll be back with the children you have to promise it i don’t want to make any promise because if I don’t comeback, I w

ill have bad eye uppon me but I am around just to look a little maybe later, I am around have a good day now people are asking me to stop but I cannot stop unfortunately, because i don’t want to buy handicraft now My mission was just to buy some veg and fruit for the kids, So, yeah, good morning Sir So this is what you can see around Kermel good morning Sir I am fine thanks ! You don’t need any painting ? I need to rush kids are waiting for the breakfast This is what can be seen here in Kermel T

his is a very interesting area You can come and visit around here. You can do your buying of different type. if you want to buy handicrafts around, you can buy handicrafts around. I think if you want to buy vegetable, meat and fish, this is maybe one of the best places around here. cat fighting. I hope you enjoyed the video. This was a small tour in Dakar, on market streets. I'll meet you again for the next episode very soon. Around here.