5 6 The Beautiful Game
Dancing cheerleader, Casamance region, Senegal
Often referred to as the ‘garden of Senegal,’ the
Casamance region is well known for its cultivation of
rice. Farming rice is extremely labour intensive,
especially during the rainy season. For some years now,
the younger Diola people of the region have migrated to
the larger cities in the north to find work and greater
opportunities.
Between June and September each year, the younger
generation are drawn back by the Navetanes [rainy
season] football competition. The idea behind the
games is to draw young people to the region, so that
they too can help in the cultivation of rice that the area
needs to thrive.
People