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11 - THIANFARA

Thianfara was our only outlet, but oh so memorable! Thianfara village is situated 120 km south-west of Tambacounda, Upper Casamance, in the direction of Ziguinchor, in the Province of Velingara (see map in panel 2). Thianfara is also the birthplace of Tidiane Balde, director of the kindergarten. Didier, who knew the village in recent years in which he has forged strong relationships, wanted to take us to the discovery of this village so different from the city and so close to the images that we may have in mind. It was for everybody a moving experience as the moment was intense. The welcoming ceremony, offerings, songs and dances of the women .... so sincere generosity that stirred the hearts and offered an alternative vision of Africa.

"Under a beautiful cheese, villagers gathered on a table, two calabashes containing offerings of welcome: corn, cotton and rag doll. There's even a sound! Yet, in the village There is no water or electricity! Many children and women. We're stuck with emotion, it reads on the faces, it was wide-eyed and envy any feeling, any fix in the memory: the color of cloth, eyes sparkling or interrogators, rhythms and voices, the harmony of the body that allow themselves to dance. Very quickly, one after the other, we get carried away by the enthusiasm and everyone will mingle with the crowd of dancers, a beatific smile at the edges of the lips ... " Sylviane

" The whole village s is moved to greet us, singing songs and playing Fulani music. It was a magical moment where I felt a little ill at ease because we were still sitting on chairs while the women danced ... That's why we all took our courage in both hands and went dancing with everyone. "Valentine

" Thianfara is the ultimate African village. A great party is waiting for us (...) When reporting on ARTE pass is the same. But since we're better. I mean by that, it's very magical and folk. "Leah

" We relativize our lives and we become aware of the problems of others. "Laetitia

"Frankly I do not know if I would have to place as much courage. "Leah

" People are friendly and really interested in what we say, or just to see if we slept well ... "Leah
" They are happy when it gives them an empty water bottle. Because everything is important in Africa. "Leah

" Say hello and talk to the first comer, it's really something that I loved. At first I was moderately comfortable to talk, but few days have finally melted enough for me in this friendly environment, makes it very quickly becomes friends with everyone. "Guilhem

" Women are relatively submitted, however, they know they are aware. Firstly they are subject to their husbands' polygamy, which is often hard for them because it is only very rarely that they agree with their co-wives. They have many tasks compared to men who do not necessarily work all the time. In the couple, they decide almost nothing, a woman told us when they are baptized the child, the woman asks her husband: "What name have you chosen for your son? . If she wants to choose, it must ask permission, it is not a joint decision. "Laetitia