Traditional Pirogue Racing by John Wessels

Said to date back 200 years, traditional Senegalese pirogue racing is an extremely popular sport. Crowds descend to the banks of the Senegal River in Saint-Louis to cheer on teams from along the Senegal coast. Starting in the early hours of the morning, supporters gather to watch the unveiling of each pirogue, which is freshly painted and blessed by each team’s religious leader, their marabout. The boats are then pushed into the river with cheers from the crowds.