Pray for Japan / Priez pour le Japon !

Today is the 11th of March. Last year, this date was a very sad day, not only for Japan, but for the whole world.
What affects Japan, affects everyone.
We are all humans, so we understand the pain of loss.
And after one year of reconstruction, there is still a lot to be done.
In every country, people have known the pain of natural disasters.
That's why we must always support others when the sad time comes as it always does.
Last year was very sad for me because I felt helpless. I was worried about my friends in Japan, and I also plan on going there so i felt anguish.
And after one year, I still feel that same sadness.
Let's pray for Japan, for the whole world, let's pray for peace.

I am not Japanese but I feel that Japan is my second home.

日本人=>セネガルの中

In Senegal, there are only a few Japanese.
But there are many Chinese people. And for Senegalese, there is no difference between both.
So if you ask a Senegalese if there are many JAPANESE in Senegal, they will answer :
Biensur ! Il y a beaucoup de Chinois ! =__=' but don't be discouraged, someday soon, they will know there is a big difference between China and Japan. But for now they call all Asia China.
It's not to be mean but just because they don't know Chinese and Japanese.
They think that all Japanese and Chinese look alike. But I don't agree.
When I see a Japanese, I can feel that it's not a Chinese nor a Korean, just another country.
It's the same with us Africans. They think that Africa is one big country and we all look alike.
But it's not bad. I don't mind if you think I'm not Senegalese but Kenyan. I love all Africa and the whole world.
I love humanity.
There are more Chinese than Japanese in Senegal. That is a fact.
Why ? I have no idea.
There is a Japanese Embassy, I have been there to apply for the MEXT Scholarship. I didn't get it the first time but I intend on trying again. I met a few Japanese there that were very kind.
http://www.sn.emb-japan.go.jp/fr/culture.html
I think that the Embassy is a great building but to be honest, there is a lot that could be done.
They have a big number of books that could help us Japanese learners improve our level, but they are not accessible to us. Even though their cultural section is called A CULTURAL section, they don't do much. They organise an annual Haiku contest, a few Japanes movies, a language profeciency test and basta.
When I hear the word cultural, I see colours, movements, music and people. We clearly don't have the same concept.
What I mean is that I feel that they are not ambitious enough. They are not trying to show Senegalese what Japan is like to make them even go there. There are not showing the advantages of learning Japanese.
So Senegalese are afraid of going near them. A few Senegalese go to their embassy, but they always say the same things : c'est trop mort.
I know, embassy is a serious thing ... yeah, well a cultural section can be a bit more alive than what I saw.
Anyways, this is not a feedback XD it's just that from what I saw, I can only think that the Japanese government is not encouraging exchanges between Senegal and Japan.
It is sad because I thnk we have a lot in common and I'm sure that if Senegalese knew about Japan, they would be very interested.
My teacher at Cesag is a Japanese, she came through JICA. JICA is wonderfull initiative, but there should be student exchange programs. I'm sure that it would be a great experience on both sides.
But again, it's just words, no one cares what a 20 year old student thinks right ?
My fight is to change the conception Senegalese have of one big country called China that englobes all Asia. I love China a lot, but other countries there also deserve to be recognised. =)
I am really happy to meet Japanese people here because it is rare.

Mardi Gras in Senegal and Tajabone

In Senegal most events are for kids but adults and teens participate. Tajabone and Mardi Gras are two days when kids wear costumes. But there is a difference in the meaning of the event.

Tajabone is on the night of Tamharit which is a muslim celebration in Senegal. 

Mardi gras is on the day at the start of the Christian's fast.

But at both occasions, kids in Senegal dress up.

During Tajabone, men dress as women and women dress as men.

They wait till nightfall to go in houses asking for Ndeweneul, which is money, biscuits or cubes of sugar.

Before they are given this gift, they must either dance for the person or show off their costumes.

I always prepare some sweets for the kids that come. I love taking pictures with them.

But when night falls, I also dress in my costume. XD This year, I was really crazy. XD

And I went out with my niece, we danced all night and did riddiculous things. Sadly, all the kids recognised me afterwards and they always ask me about the costume.XD

During Mardi Gras, children wear any costume they like all day. You see superman, old men, pirates and other types of costumes. But the ones I like the most are the traditional costumes. It is nice to feel like you've returned to the old times and you return to the source. That's me in the pic with three girls that came to show me their costumes. I was generous =D I had fun.

In Senegal, both Christians and Muslims live in perfect harmony and these two celebrations really reflect it. We are all one and we always respect each other. There are many tribes in Senegal, but there is no conflict. We all live in unity, fighting against racisms, ethnocentrisms and other problems that can arise in such a mixed society.

化粧/Cosmétiques

Les Sénégalaises adorent les produits de beauté, le parfum, les perruques et tout ce qui embellit. Et bien les Japonaises savent aussi se faire belle. D'ailleurs, le Japon est un grand producteur de produits cosmétiques et les femmes savent bien s'en servir.

Japanese and Senegalese women all want to look their best and all worry about their appearance. They put a lot of money on cosmetics and follow strict diets. 

in both cultures, bright colours have their place. Japanese people in general wear plain clothes on their way to work but always know when to strut their stuff.

Elles sont toutes jolies !! =)

スポーツ/Sport : 相撲/Sumo - La Lutte

Un autre point commun entre la culture Japonaise et la culture Sénégalaise c'est dans le sport.
Le sport traditionnel Sénégalais c'est la lutte. nul ne peut venir au Sénégal sans en entendre parler.

 Et au Japon il y a un sport populaire le Sumo qui ressemble beaucoup a la lutte :

Les différences sont au niveau des règles, mais la tenue et  le but reste le même : terrasser son adversaire.
Voila une autre ressemblance entre le Japon et le Sénégal ! ^__^

尊敬/ respect : 言語/Language

Like I said before, there are great similarities between the Japanese culture and the Senegalese culture. The first aspect I'd like to talk about is respect. In both cultures, there is a book of etiquette which holds precise rules of conduct.
Japanese use Keigo 敬語 that is formal and polite. 
Senegalese don't have an equivalent but their respect is expressed in other ways.
In both Senegal and Japan elders are said to hold wisdom and have to be respected.
Japanese use masu and desu form when they talk to elders, adults and in the workplace.
Senegalese don't change their words but use a softer tone and speak in a lower voice.
traditionally, it is considered impolite to stare at an elder or speak while raising your hands.
While Japanese call elders Ojisan and Obaasan, Senegalese call them Mon Pére et Mére. It is impolite to call them by their names.
There is also the bow in Japan which is equivalent to the Senegalese souk which means to bend your knees while greeting an elder.
I think that most conservative cultures are alike and I think that it something great. When you discover such similarities it is a step towards tolerance. You see that humans aren't that different at all.
No matter where you go, a lie is always a lie and the truth is always the truth.
No society teaches it's people to steal. The truth is one for all humanity. When you know that, you can't be racist.
Sadly nowadays our youth neglects these marks of respect because they seem too old fashioned. But respect should always be our priority.
If peolple seek money, it's because it brings them respect. People don't respect poor people. No one asks poor people what they think. Rich immoral people today have more respect and attention than any type of poor person. 
It is today's reality. People don't give their seat to old ladies anymore. And some elders have stained the image previous elders had worked hard for, by having immoral attitudes.
I think that even children should be respected. But great marks of respect should be shown to elders because I still think they are one step ahead and can see what we can''t.
So Japan and Senegal holds this in common : the love for respect. =D

日本!

日本は中国の東方にある.

日本は穏やかな気候.

東京は日本の首都です.

日本人はとても優しい.

日本の食べ物はとてもとてもおいしい!