Tambacounda Region
Encyclopedia
Tambacounda, formerly known as Sénégal Orientale, is a region of Senegal
. It used to be part of the Mali Empire
before the borders were created to separate Mali from Senegal. Tambacounda is physically the largest of Senegal's 11 regions, but is sparsely populated and its economy lags behind the rest of the country. The department of Kédougou
was separated from Tambacounda in 2008, and became a separate region.
and dance culture and heritage. Some of the greatest djembe masters from Segu
, Mali came to Tambacounda in the mid 1900's, bringing with them their history, knowledge, and secrets of the djembe. Its official language is French, but Wolof is more widely spoken in Sénégal.
Much knowledge of djembe history was transmitted directly to djembe master Abdoulaye Diakite
by his master teacher Suncaru Jara. Suncaru Jara's teacher was Chebleni Traore, whose teacher was Numuni Traore, the first djembe master to bring the djembe out of Bamana secrecy, thus igniting the diaspora of the djembe.
The diaspora of the djembe also took place because there were too many djembe masters in Tambacounda at that time, pressuring some to move on to different towns or countries. Abdoulaye Diakite significantly influenced the diaspora of the djembe, first by touring worldwide with the National Ballet of Senegal for 18 years as their lead soloist, in addition to his later work in the 1990s running the Tambacounda West African Drum and Dance Camp.
In light of its rich cultural heritage and location, Tambacounda is today known as djembe "proving ground", since one never knows who might be passing through town. This has had the effect of keeping the local djembe players on their toes, by playing exactly as tradition dictates. Even in the face of globalization, the djembe playing has remained remarkably traditional in Tambacounda.
, the largest reserve in western Africa, which supports another leg of Tambacounda's economy, tourism.
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
. It used to be part of the Mali Empire
Mali Empire
The Mali Empire or Mandingo Empire or Manden Kurufa was a West African empire of the Mandinka from c. 1230 to c. 1600. The empire was founded by Sundiata Keita and became renowned for the wealth of its rulers, especially Mansa Musa I...
before the borders were created to separate Mali from Senegal. Tambacounda is physically the largest of Senegal's 11 regions, but is sparsely populated and its economy lags behind the rest of the country. The department of Kédougou
Kédougou Region
Kédougou Region is a region of Senegal. It was created in 2008. Formerly it was a department in the Region of Tambacounda.Kedougou has a number of ecotourism attractions...
was separated from Tambacounda in 2008, and became a separate region.
Departments
Tambacounda region is divided into 4 departments:- BakelBakel Department' is one of the departments of Senegal, located in the Tambacounda Region. The department had an area of 22,378 km² and population estimate at 215,680 in 2005. However, recently the department was reduced to create the new department of Goudiry....
- GoudiryGoudiry DepartmentGoudiry Department is one of the departments of Senegal, located in the Tambacounda Region. It is a recent creation. It is also an arrondissement of Senegal....
- KoumpentoumKoumpentoum DepartmentKoumpentoum Department is one of the departments of Senegal, located in the Tambacounda Region. It is a recent creation. It is also an arrondissement of Senegal....
- TambacoundaTambacounda Department' is one of the departments of Senegal, located in the Tambacounda Region. It formerly covered an area of 20,328 km² and in 2005 had an estimated population of 342,204. However in 2005...
Culture
Tambacounda is famous for its rich djembeDjembe
A djembe also known as jembe, jenbe, djbobimbe, jymbe, yembe, or jimbay, or sanbanyi in Susu; is a skin-covered drum meant played with bare hands....
and dance culture and heritage. Some of the greatest djembe masters from Segu
Segu
*Segu may refer to**Ségou, a city in south-central Mali, and former capital of the Bamana Empire**Sergi López Segú, a Spanish footballer**Segu , a novel by Maryse Condé...
, Mali came to Tambacounda in the mid 1900's, bringing with them their history, knowledge, and secrets of the djembe. Its official language is French, but Wolof is more widely spoken in Sénégal.
Much knowledge of djembe history was transmitted directly to djembe master Abdoulaye Diakite
Abdoulaye Diakite
Abdoulaye Diakite is a djembe master drummer from Tambacounda, Senegal. He studied under djembe legend Suncaru Jara, and later became the lead djembe player of the National Ballet of Senegal for 18 years....
by his master teacher Suncaru Jara. Suncaru Jara's teacher was Chebleni Traore, whose teacher was Numuni Traore, the first djembe master to bring the djembe out of Bamana secrecy, thus igniting the diaspora of the djembe.
The diaspora of the djembe also took place because there were too many djembe masters in Tambacounda at that time, pressuring some to move on to different towns or countries. Abdoulaye Diakite significantly influenced the diaspora of the djembe, first by touring worldwide with the National Ballet of Senegal for 18 years as their lead soloist, in addition to his later work in the 1990s running the Tambacounda West African Drum and Dance Camp.
In light of its rich cultural heritage and location, Tambacounda is today known as djembe "proving ground", since one never knows who might be passing through town. This has had the effect of keeping the local djembe players on their toes, by playing exactly as tradition dictates. Even in the face of globalization, the djembe playing has remained remarkably traditional in Tambacounda.
Economy
The economy of Tambacounda is based primarily on agriculture, with cash crops including cotton and peanuts. Mining plays a role in the southern part of the region around the city of Kedougou. The region is also home to the Niokolo-Koba National ParkNiokolo-Koba National Park
The Niokolo-Koba National Park is a World Heritage Site and natural protected area in south eastern Senegal near the Guinea-Bissau border.-National Park:...
, the largest reserve in western Africa, which supports another leg of Tambacounda's economy, tourism.