Ziguinchor 387565 222549882 2008-06-29T23:05:38Z T L Miles 1752696 /* History */ fix line break in ref {{Infobox Settlement <!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available--> <!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage--> <!-- Basic info ----------------> |name =Ziguinchor <!-- at least one of the first two fields must be filled in --> |official_name = |other_name = |native_name = <!-- if different from the English name --> |nickname = |settlement_type =[[List of cities in Senegal|Commune]] <!--such as Town, Village, City, Borough etc.--> |total_type = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows --> |motto = <!-- images and maps -----------> |image_skyline =Ziguinchor6.JPG |imagesize =240px |image_caption =''Place Jean-Paul II'' in the ''Escale'' neighborhood of Ziguinchor |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal =Ziguinchor coa.gif |seal_size =100px |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = |mapsize = |map_caption = |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map =Senegal <!-- name of a location map as per Template:Location_map --> |pushpin_label_position = <!-- position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |pushpin_map_caption =Location within Senegal |pushpin_mapsize = <!-- Location ------------------> |subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] |subdivision_name = {{SEN}} |subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Senegal|Region]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Ziguinchor Region]] |subdivision_type2 = [[Departments of Senegal|Departement]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Ziguinchor Department|Ziguinchor]] |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = <!-- Smaller parts (e.g. boroughs of a city) and seat of government --> |seat_type = |seat = |parts_type = |parts_style = <!-- =list (for list), coll (for collapsed list), para (for paragraph format) Default is list if up to 5 items, coll if more than 5--> |parts = <!-- parts text, or header for parts list --> |p1 = |p2 = <!-- etc. up to p50: for separate parts to be listed--> <!-- Politics -----------------> |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title =Mayor |leader_name =[[Robert Sagna]] |leader_title1 = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager --> |leader_name1 = |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = <!-- Settled --> |established_date = |established_title1 = <!-- Incorporated (town) --> |established_date1 = |established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (city) --> |established_date2 = |established_title3 = |established_date3 = |founder = |named_for = <!-- Area ---------------------> |area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink --> |unit_pref =metric |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = 9 |area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on unit conversion--> |area_water_km2 = |area_total_dunam = <!--Used in Middle East articles only--> |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- Elevation --------------------------> |elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags--> |elevation_m = 12 |elevation_ft = |elevation_max_m = |elevation_max_ft = |elevation_min_m = |elevation_min_ft = <!-- Population -----------------------> |population_as_of =2007 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total =230000 |population_density_km2 =auto |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information ---------------> |timezone = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] |utc_offset = +0 |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = | coor_type =region:SN_type:city <!-- can be used to specify what the coordinates refer to --> |latd=12 |latm=33 |lats=43 |latNS=N |longd=16 |longm=16 |longs=62 |longEW=W <!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> |postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... --> |postal_code = |area_code = |twin1 =[[Saint-Maur-des-Fossés]] |twin1_country =[[France]] |blank_name = |blank_info = |blank1_name = |blank1_info = |blank2_name = |blank2_info = |blank3_name = |blank3_info = |blank4_name = |blank4_info = |blank5_name = |blank5_info = |blank6_name = |blank6_info = |website = |footnotes = }} '''Ziguinchor''' is the capital of the [[Ziguinchor Region]], and the chief town of the [[Casamance]] area of [[Senegal]], lying at the mouth of the [[Casamance River]]. It has a population of over 230,000 ([[2007]] estimate). It is the second city of Senegal, but largely separated from the north of the country by [[The Gambia]]. ==History== The first European settlement in the area was founded by the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] in [[1645]]. According to tradition, Ziguinchor's name and meaning comes from the time when Portuguese traders and explorers came to the region to form a trading post, and derives from [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] ''Cheguei e choram'', "I came and they cry". The local people, seeing the Europeans, began crying, thinking they were to be enslaved. Ziguinchor was in fact a [[European slave trade|Slave port]] for much of the Portuguese occupation. The spot had not been chosen at random. While a Jola village predated the town, it was situated to trade with the Jola kingdom of Kasso, which dated back to the [[Mali Empire]], when Mandinke people moved into the area from the south and east. Following the end of the slave trade, Portuguese commerce stultified, and the town was eventually handed over to [[France]] on [[22 April]] [[1888]], in a deal brokered amongst the colonial powers at the [[Berlin conference]] of 1886. Under the French, Ziguinchor became a major trade port, mostly due to the intensive [[Groundnut]] cultivation the colonial government encouraged in the interior. By 1900, the area around was largely converted to Christianity, although large [[Syncretist]] and [[Muslim]] communities flourish. Rice growing, the traditional crop of the region, was hurt by the push to cultivate groundnuts, and extensive forest areas were cleared. The French government also imported rice across West Africa from the intensive farming they encouraged in [[French Indochina]], shrinking the market for Casamance's main produce. After independence, the city saw its economic growth slow, in part due to the [[Guinea-Bissau War of Independence|War of Independence]] in neighboring [[Guinea-Bissau]]. Portuguese military crossed into the area at least once, pursuing [[African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde|PAIG]] rebels, and cannon fire could be heard in the city for much of the war. During this period Ziguinchor became a main post for both the [[Senegalese Army]] and French forces, guarding the frontier; a frontier which cut in two [[Diola]] families and communities. As the capital of Casamance, Ziguinchor has been at the center of the three decade long conflict with Dakar, that has flared into open civil war on more than one occasion. With a population that is a majority [[Diola]] and [[Christian]],<ref>Caroline JUILLARD. [http://www.utexas.edu/cola/insts/france-ut/archives/Fall2003/ConfLangImmigration/juillard.pdf Sub-Saharian immigration in France: from diversity to integration]. Université René Descartes-Paris V. Conference paper. University of Texas (2003) pp.9-10.<br />For full population summary, see [http://www.culture.gouv.sn/article.php3?id_article=108 Centre culturel régional de Ziguinchor], Ministère de la Culture, du Patrimoine historique classé, des Langues nationales et de la Francophonie, Government of Senegal (2004).</ref> the effects of a large migration of [[Wolof]] [[Muslims]] fleeing drought in the north during the 1970s caused tensions to flare. A 1983 demonstration against price rises in Ziguinchor Market was put down violently by Senegalese forces, and an insurgency by the [[Democratic Forces of Casamance]] (MFDC) followed, effectively wrecking the economy of the region. The 2004 peace accords, signed in Ziguinchor, were hoped to be the end of the violence, but in 2006, sporadic fighting by an MFDC split and laying of land mines again erupted in rural areas nearby.<ref>[http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol19no1/191senegal.htm Ernest Harsch. Peace pact raises hope in Senegal: After 22 years, Casamance war is winding down], From Africa Renewal, Vol.19 #1 (April 2005), page 14.<br />[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4135797.stm Crowds cheer Senegal peace deal], BBC, 30 December 2004. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1743090.stm Casamance rebels attack town], BBC, 4 January, 2002.</ref> ==Transport and economy== Ziguinchor remains economically dependent on its role as a [[cargo]] port, transport hub and [[ferry]] terminal. The "Nationale 4" highway crosses the [[Casamance River]] just east of the city, linking the region with [[Bignona]] about 25km to the north, and (via [[The Gambia]]), the rest of Senegal. The [[MV Joola]], which sank in [[2002]], was sailing from Ziguinchor to [[Dakar]]. It's sinking, only replaced in 2005, cut off the major major link between Casamance and the rest of the country.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2286486.stm Eyewitness: Senegal weeps for ferry loss], BBC, 28 September, 2002.<br />[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4431820.stm Senegal restores vital ferry link], BBC, 12 November 2005.</ref> The new ferry, which began regular runs in 2007, is named for local anti-colonial martyr [[Aline Sitoe Diatta]], promises a boost to the local economy. <ref>[http://www.xibar.net/index.php?action=article&numero=5935 LIAISON MARITIME DAKAR-ZIGUINCHOR : “Aline Sitoé Diatta, c'est le refus de la fatalité”, selon le président], Le Soleil, 15 December 2007.</ref> Facilities in the town include [[market]]s, a [[cathedral]] and an [[airport]]. In February 2007, the new [[Université de Ziguinchor]] opened in the city.<ref>[http://www.sudonline.sn/spip.php?article871 OUVERTURE DE L’UNIVERSITE DE ZIGUINCHOR], Agance Pres Senegalais, 3 March 2007.</ref> It is also home to a large [[peanut]] [[Vegetable oil|oil]] [[factory]]. A vibrant [[Tourism in Senegal|tourist]] destination, the beaches of nearby [[Cap Skirring]] were discovered by foreign tourists in the 1960s, and the location was bbuilt up to be come one of the first [[Club Med]] resorts. Ziguinchor region is also known for growing great quantities of rice, oranges, [[mango]]es, bananas, [[cashews]], tropical fruits and vegetables, fish, and prawns, much of which are processed locally and exported from the city, its port, and its airport. ==Ethnicity== Labelled the most cosmopolitan city in Senegal, Ziguinchor is a melting pot of all the ethnic groups co-existing in Senegal: [[Manding]], [[Jola]], [[Wolof]], [[Peul]]/Hal Pulaar, [[Mancagne]], [[Manjack]], [[Soninke]], [[Serer]], [[Bainounck]] and [[Creole peoples|Creole]]. [[Jola]] have been the majority of the population in the region since at least 1500, and culturally share much with the people of [[Guinea-Bissau]]. One of three dialects of [[Guinea-Bissau Creole]], ''Cacheu–Ziguinchor'', is centered around the city. Resistant to first [[Islam]] and later [[Christianity]], many Jola retain a degree of animist practices, while [[Basse Casamance]] is the only majority [[Catholic]] area in [[Senegal]]. ==Famous residents== Ziguinchor is the birth place of some famous Senegalese writers and filmakers ([[Sembene Ousmane]]), artists ([[Doura Mane]], [[Bouly Sonko]], [[Ousmane Sow Huchard]] "Soleya Mama", the [[Tourekunda]] brothers etc), sports men ([[Jules Francois Bocande]], [[Bassirou NDiaye]], [[Lansana Coly]] etc). ==Politics== Zinguinchor has been a stronghold of the Socialist Party of Senegal since independence. It's current mayor, [[Robert Sagna]], has been in office since 1984, and was a past minister in Socialist Party governments. In the beginning of 2007 Sanga left the PSS, and led the [[Taku Défaraat Sénégal]] coalition in a failed presidential bid.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6379847.stm Mame Less Camara, Senegal's presidential contenders], BBC News, 22 February 2007.</ref> In 2001's legislative elections, a big push by President [[Abdoulaye Wade]]'s ruling PDS party, spearheading the ''Sopi'' coalition (joined in 2008 by [[And-Jëf/Pads]]), was led by Zinguinchor politician [[Abdoulaye Baldé]], a former General Secretary to the President. In the 2001 elections, the a Zinguinchor [[National Assembly of Senegal|National Assembly]] seat was gained by the PDS, and held again in 2007, prompting speculation that Sagna and his party's days of dominating local politics were numbered. Sanga, though, won a legislative seat on proportional representation in 2007, and continues in both offices.<ref>[http://www2.rewmi.com/index.php?action=article&numero=8665&PHPSESSID=14acc234575a650e97660c8a87820b7c Pds et Aj décident d'aller en coalition à Ziguinchor], Le Soleil, 28 February, 2008. [http://nettali.net/spip.php?article3394 SÛR DE LA VICTOIRE DE LA COALITION SOPI A ZIGUINCHOR], Abdoulaye Baldé lance des piques à Robert Sagna. Nettali. 12 May 2007 . [http://www2.rewmi.com/index.php?action=article&numero=1728 Deux défaites successives à Ziguinchor : Est-ce le chant du cygne pour Robert Sagna ?], Rewmi, 06 June 2007 [http://www.socialisme-republiquesn.org/old/spip.php?article386 Robert Sagna va t-il vers la rupture ? Chronique d’un départ annoncé], Parti socialiste Sénégal , 13 December 2006 </ref> ==Africa Nations Cup== In 1992 Ziguinchor was one of the city-hosts of the [[Africa Cup of Nations]] football championship. The city Sports and Arts Associations conceived for the first time the concept of having specific suburbs housing each national team in order to give a vibrant and joyful atmosphere to the Football tournament that saw Algeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Zambia, Egypt, Congo play the first half of the Championship in that city. This successful and original experience inspired other tournament organisers from then on. Mali hosting the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations used the same concept through the famous Ndiatiguiya (having specific suburbs barracking for a specific team throughout the tournament and then Korea/Japan during the 2002 World Cup used the same concept as well. ==Sister cities== Ziguinchor has a [[sister city]], as designated by [http://www.sister-cities.org/ Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI)]: *{{flagicon|Maryland}} [[Prince George's County, Maryland]], [[United States]] ==References== {{Reflist}} *Much of this article was translated from the French language Wikipedia article [[:fr:Ziguinchor]]. *Ferdinand de Jong. Politicians of the Sacred Grove: Citizenship and Ethnicity in Southern Senegal. Africa: Journal of the International African Institute, Vol. 72, No. 2 (2002), pp. 203-220 ''On the political and cultural tactics of longtime mayor [[Robert Sagna]]''. ===Further reading=== *{{fr}} Jean-Claude Bruneau, ''Ziguinchor en Casamance : aspects géographiques de la capitale régionale du Sud Sénégalais'', [[Université de Bordeaux III]], 1975, 409 p. (Thèse de 3rd cycle) *{{fr}} Jean-Claude Bruneau, ''Ziguinchor en Casamance : la croissance urbaine dans les pays tropicaux'', Talence, Ministère des universités, [[CNRS]], Centre d'études de géographie tropicale, 1979 *{{fr}} Nfally Diedhiou, ''Administration coloniale et travail forcé en Casamance. Étude de cas du réseau routier à travers la construction de la route Tobor-Ziguinchor'', Dakar, [[Université Cheikh Anta Diop]], 2000, 119 p. + annexes, (Mémoire de Maîtrise) *{{fr}} Maguette Diop, ''Monographie climatique d’une station synoptique : Ziguinchor (1946-1975)'', [[Université de Dakar]], 1977 (Mémoire de Maîtrise) *{{fr}} Baudouin Duquesne, ''Le secteur informel en Afrique. Approche théorique et étude de cas : "les barroms-sarrettes de Ziguinchor"'', Sénégal, 1986 *{{fr}} Mamadou Goudiaby, ''Monographie de la ville de Ziguinchor de 1886 à 1960 : le problème des sources'', [[Dakar]], [[Université Cheikh Anta Diop]], 2001, 51 p. (Mémoire de DEA) *{{fr}} Caroline Juillard, ''Sociolinguistique urbaine : la vie des langues à Ziguinchor (Sénégal)'', [[Paris]], [[CNRS]], 1995 *{{fr}} Mamadou Goudiaby, ''Monographie de la ville de Ziguinchor de 1886 à 1960 : le problème des sources'', [[Dakar]], [[Université Cheikh Anta Diop]], 2001, 51 p. (Mémoire de DEA) *{{fr}} Jacqueline Trincaz, ''Colonisations et religions en Afrique noire. L’exemple de Ziguinchor'', [[Paris]], L’Harmattan, 1981, VIII + 360 p. (Thèse de 3rd cycle publiée) *{{fr}} Pierre-Xavier Trincaz, ''Colonisation et régionalisme, la double domination : exemple de Ziguinchor en Casamance, Sénégal. Etude urbaine socio-économique d’une capitale régionale d’Afrique'', [[Paris]], [[Université de Paris V]], 1979 (Thèse de 3rd cycle publiée en 1984, ''Colonisation et Régionalisme. Ziguinchor en Casamance'', Paris, ORSTOM, 270 p. ===External links=== *{{en}} [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/SG/12/Ziguinchor.html Maps, weather and airports for Ziguinchor] *{{fr}} [http://www.aimf.asso.fr/article2.asp?ville=Ziguinchor&num_menu=12000 Mayor of Ziguinchor's statistics] at the International Association for Francophone Mayors. *{{fr}} [http://www.senegalaisement.com/senegal/ziguinchor.html Ziguinchor sur Sénégalaisement] *{{fr}} [http://www.kassoumay.com/casamance/ziguinchor.html Ziguinchor sur Kassoumay] *{{en}} [http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/current/GOGG.html weather.noaa.gov], Current Weather Conditions: Ziguinchor, Senegal. *{{fr}} [http://www.imediadakar.com/fspcasamance/fspcasamance/FICHIERS/10.0.0.1_8888/SPIP_FSP/spipa2c0.html?article84 Commune de Ziguinchor - Commune de St Maur des Fossés]: Sister city development projects. *{{fr}} [http://www.aps.sn/aps.php?page=pays_article&pays=11 Agence de Presse Senegalaise: Ziguinchor News]. *{{fr}} [http://www.culture.gouv.sn/article.php3?id_article=108 Centre culturel régional de Ziguinchor], Ministère de la Culture, du Patrimoine historique classé, des Langues nationales et de la Francophonie, Senegal. *{{en}} [http://www.alertnet.org/db/crisisprofiles/SN_INS.htm Reuters Alertnet: Senegal insurgency]. {{Commons|Category:Ziguinchor|Ziguinchor}} {{Portuguese overseas empire}} {{coor title dm|12|35|N|16|16|W|region:SN_type:city}} [[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Senegal]] [[Category:Casamance]] [[Category:French West Africa]] [[Category:Former Portuguese colonies]] [[de:Ziguinchor]] [[es:Ziguinchor]] [[fr:Ziguinchor]] [[gl:Ziguinchor]] [[lt:Ziginšoras]] [[nl:Ziguinchor (stad)]] [[ja:ジガンショール]] [[pl:Ziguinchor]] [[pt:Ziguinchor]] [[fi:Ziguinchor]] [[sv:Ziguinchor]] [[zh:济金绍尔]]