The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01
prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety. Washington. ID. c.

~
ciety, Washington, D.. c.
Senegal, brought into prominence
because of the thousands of Senegal
csc who, as soldiers and labOrers, as
sisted the French in the World war, is
the gateway and main trade route TO
Frances West African possessions.
In that country and in the regions
inland TO the east, Mohammedanism
holds almost undiSputed sway and
from there, some observers declare,
there is likelihood that this religion
will sweep southwark until the great
majority Of African natives will be-
come MOslems in name at least.
On its west, or Atlantic coast, Sene-
gal may be said to mark the beginning
Of the real Africa-the hot, moist
dark continent" peOpled with negroes.
For northern Africa is to Il large eX-
tent desert, and is the land of Arab
and Berber or Moor AS one SteamS
down the Atlantic coast Of Africa.
leaving the last of the perennial
streams of Morocco, he skirts Il forbid
ding desert coast without n permanent
stream for 1900 miles. The first large
stream encountered is the Senegal,
emptying into the sea through Il SyS-
ten Of lakes and lagOOnS, n~avigable
during the rainy season for 600 miles
inland. This was naturally one of the
best trade routes into the interior of
northwestern Africa, and by the con
struCtiOn Of a railroad from the rivers
rapids to a point 435 miles farther in.
land, it has been made still better.
Real Control by France Is Recent.
The foothOld of France in Senegal
dates from the days of Richelieu. In
1886 Fort st. Louis was established as
q trading post at the mouth of the
Senegal river. France could point to
little more than the maintenance of
coast stations in this region, however,
until relatively recent times. 1t was
not until near the middle of the Nine
teenth century that there was anything
like an aggressive effort to consolidate
Senegal under French control. How
great the progress has been since that
time is indicated by the fact that there
are now four se~lf-gOverning municipal
communes in Senegal, and they jointly
send a deputy to the French chamber
in Paris.
The portion of Senegal which may
be regarded as having progressed far
toward becoming, like Algeria, a part
Of France, Is small, embracing less
than 1000 square miles and having o
population of only a few hundred
thousands. The remainder Of Senegal,
with an area Of more han 10000
square miles, consists of native states
under French protection and under
the supervision Of resident agents.
Situated between desert Africa and
moist tropical Africa, Senegal is lot
unnaturally q region of mixed races.
As n advances from the north, the
Senegal river marks the first encOun-
ter with predominantly negro tribes,
us it marks the end of the desert and
its fringe of semi-desert. On the north
side of the river dwell people Of Ber-
Der or Moorish" stOck-swarthy,
STRAIGHTFORWARD, straight-nOsed. To
the south Of the river the tribes vary
much in appearance, but practically
all are negroes-black or dark choco-
late cOlOred, with broad fiat noses and
kinky hair. Close to the coast are the
members Of the WOlof tribe, who are
usually regarded as typically Senegal
csc. They are said to be the blacklist
negroes known. Even their lips are
black. The people OF this tribe are
particularly loyal to the French and
have served in large numbers as SOL
diers.
Wise Methods of Administration.
In administering Senegal, as indeed
In administering all her African pos
sessions, France has depended on tact
rather than on force. Her officials not
only recognize native chiefs, but also
treat them with consideration. The
greatest Of the rulers are presented
with valuable gifts, which emphasize
the wealth and power of France, ana
Of the leaders are taken to Paris